Analysis of pipeline clogging by oil sticking during low-temperature transportation using XDLVO theory

Wenchen Liu, Qiyu Huang, Junjie Chen, Chongjun Jiang, Ruiying Huang and Hanpeng Zheng

Energy, 2025, vol. 320, issue C

Abstract: Although numerous studies have explored the behavior of oil sticking to the wall from the perspective of oil droplet adhesion, the specific adhesion between congealed oil particles and pipe wall has not been investigated previously. This study represents the first analysis of congealed oil particles sticking to pipe wall surface in terms of interaction energy. Initially, the surface energy components of both congealed oil and the pipe wall were calculated using the van Oss method. Subsequently, the total adhesive energy was determined using the XDLVO theory, which encompasses Lifshitz-van der Waals, Lewis acid-base, Electrostatic Double-Layer, and Brownian motion interactions. In addition, a scour test was carried out for oil sticking to metal and non-metal pipes by a flow loop apparatus. The results indicated that adhesion is inhibited as the electron donor component in the pipe wall increases. Furthermore, the total interaction energy calculated using XDLVO theory and the work of adhesion correlate well with the wall sticking occurrence temperature (WSOT). The removal of oil-sticking layer occurs due to cohesion failure between the initial oil-sticking layer and dispersed congealed oil particles. The results of this study provide valuable insights for effectively preventing and alleviating the phenomenon of oil sticking.

Keywords: Low-temperature transportation; Adhesion; Interfacial interaction energy; Surface energy; Congealed oil/water/pipe wall system; Flow assurance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:320:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225008023

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135160

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