@article{Liu2026, 
author = {Hui-Shu Liu and Ji-Miao Duan and Yong-Xiang Huang and Hao-Nan Li and Hui-Rong Huang and Shi-Ming Chen and Jun-Zhe Jiang},
title = {Wax deposition characteristics under oil-water two-phase stratified flow in pipeline},
year = {2026},
journal = {Petroleum Science},
volume = {23},
number = {5},
pages = {2885-2901},
keywords = {Wax deposition, Oil-water two-phase flow, Stratified flow, Heat and mass transfer},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.1016/j.petsci.2026.01.016},
doi = {10.1016/j.petsci.2026.01.016},
abstract = {Wax deposition in subsea pipelines transporting waxy crude oil under oil-water stratified flow remains a critical flow assurance challenge. This study systematically investigates wax deposition characteristics using an experimental flow loop that simulates deep-sea conditions. Experiments were conducted with waxy simulated oil and deionized water under varying superficial velocities of both phases. Results show a crescent-shaped deposition layer exclusively on the upper oil-wetted wall, with no deposition on the water-contacted lower wall. Notably, the deposit near the oil-water interface exhibits higher wax content and enriched heavy components compared to the top wall, indicating localized aging behavior. A key finding is that increasing oil or water superficial velocity reduces deposition thickness but enhances wax content and promotes aging. The deposit mass per unit area correlates negatively with oil-phase actual velocity, while wax content and heavy component concentration show strong positive correlations. This work provides novel insights into the circumferential heterogeneity and phase-specific aging of wax deposition in stratified oil-water flow, offering a foundation for improved predictive models.}
}