Validation of experimental and model for Temperature on wax deposition on Corrosion of Pipeline
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B., 5323, Nigeria.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2026, 10(02), 024-036.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjet.2026.10.2.0029
Publication history:
Received on 24 February 2026; revised on 07 April 2026; accepted on 09 April 2026
Abstract:
This research was carried out to simulate the wax physical properties on pipeline corrosion. Wax is one of the most common components in crude oil and generates corrosion inhibition by wax deposition or formation on the internal surface of the pipeline, reducing the corrosion. Waxy crudes characteristics vary from location to location. Waxy crudes in Niger Delta oil fields in Agbada I Flow Station in Port Harcourt Rivers State have not received sufficient research attention compared to other crudes globally. A designed flow loop was fabricated for crude oil pipeline to simulate the model using the wax physical properties on pipeline corrosion. In order to measure the rate of corrosion, a linear polarization resistance method was utilized the corrosion rate in mils per year (mpy) against time (minutes) using MS1000 Corrosion Meter. A mathematical model was developed to predict wax deposition on temperature for corrosion for a cylindrical crude oil pipeline based on principle of mass, heat and material balance of mass. The models developed are temperature distribution model. MATLAB software was used for simulation with the experimental results and the input parameter from the wax physical properties and operating conditions. Based on the analysis, it has been found that as the deposition of the paraffin wax increases the corrosion rate decrease. This proves that paraffin wax deposition on the steel pipe act as a protective layer to inhibit corrosion. Comparing the results of experimental and model results for Temperature on Wax Deposit on Corrosion Rate (mpy) against Time (min) at Temperature of 35oC and Flow Rate at 10.21 L/min. It was observed at time 18 minutes, the experimental and model results predicted a significant reduction of corrosion rates while others gave only moderate or negligible protection to the crude oil pipeline. From the profile plot, the values of the corrosion rate (mpy) against time (min) of the experimental and model results are 3 (0.68 mpy, 0.7467 mpy), 6 (0.75 mpy, 0.6327 mpy), 9(0.57 mpy, 0.5187 mpy), 12 (0.25 mpy, 0.4047 mpy), 15 (0.31 mpy, 0.2907 mpy), 18 (0.21 mpy, 0.1767 mpy). But the variation of the experimental and model results in terms of deviation is (0.007%) indicating that both results are insignificant in variation, showing positive agreement between the experimental and model results. This proves that paraffin wax deposition on the steel pipe act as a protective layer to inhibit corrosion.
Keywords:
Simulation; Deposition; Properties; Corrosion; Wax; Temperature
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0