Wax Formation Mechanisms, Wax Chemical Inhibitors and Factors Affecting Chemical Inhibition

Abstract: Deposition and precipitation of paraffin wax in pipelines are major problems in the production, transfer, storage, and processing of crude oil. To prevent complete clogging,it is necessary to minimize and remove deposited wax in pipelines and tubing. Significant research has been done addressing the mechanisms of wax formation and its composition. instigating numerous complications. Among the various flow assurance problems, wax deposition and build up are among the most commonly found. However, the accurate mechanism of wax deposition is still unclear and is widely debated among researchers. The mechanism under multiphase conditions is also an ambiguity. This review covers the seven wax deposition mechanisms, the challenges in multiphase flow conditions, the latest types of chemical inhibitor, and a summary of factors governing chemical inhibitor performance.