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Viscosity prediction of waxy oils: Suspension of Fractal Aggregates (SoFA) model

Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, ISSN: 1520-5045, Vol: 54, Issue: 16, Page: 4526-4534
2015
  • 17
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 39
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    17
    • Citation Indexes
      17
  • Captures
    39

Article Description

A new viscosity model, called the Suspension of Fractal Aggregates (or SoFA) model, is presented. It has been developed by considering waxy oil systems as suspensions of wax crystals that can interact and form fractal aggregates whose size is limited by the shear stress τ. The viscosity μ can be expressed as a function of the viscosity of the suspending liquid phase μL and a function of the volume fraction of wax crystals ∅. The constitutive law has the form μ = μL(1 - A∅τ-X)/[1 - (A∅τ-X/∅M)2] if τ > τy = (A∅/∅M)1/X, where ∅M is the maximal packing fraction (∅M = 4/7) and A and X are parameters related to the structure and properties of the aggregates. If τ ≤ τy, then μ = +∞. Application of the SoFA constitutive law to experimental flow curves has shown very good agreement by matching the two model parameters A and X. Good results have also been obtained by using the Herschel-Bulkley, Li and Zhang, and Pedersen and Rønningsen models. The capability of the SoFA model to predict the viscosity of different systems at a given volume fraction of wax crystals ∅ has been successfully investigated. In this case, the n-paraffins distribution has been preserved. Only the physical properties of the dispersing liquid phase have been changed. This first result gives us hope that such a model should enable the viscosity of live oil systems (presence of a gas phase) to be predicted. However, to be definitively accepted for live oil application, comparison between SoFA model predictions and viscosity measurements in the presence of a gas phase under pressure will have to be carried out.

Bibliographic Details

Thierry Palermo; Eric Tournis

American Chemical Society (ACS)

Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Engineering

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