Can these methods be used at any pressure from the tanks?
Wax and asphaltene precipitation in crude oil storage tanks is primarily caused by gravity settling. Any preventive measure should take into consideration the wax characteristics in the crude. Wax / asphaltene control chemicals may be injected upstream of tank at normal operating pressure to prevent deposition.
The wax deposition mainly occurs due to change in temperature and release of any residual associated gas in the crude oil .For preventing deposition of wax in the oil storage tanks mechanical stiring , chemical solvents , magnetic tools and microbial strains capable of degrading paraffin wax and forming bio-film of the surface of the tank are being used by the industry.
The deposition of asphaltene is mainly due to disturbance in the equilibrium existng among the crude oil composition, its pressure and temperature.For preventing asphaltene precipitation one has to study the existing equilibrium condition for the specific crude oil and then suggest the treatment mainly a mix of chemical solvents.
Tank precipitación of aspalternes is also associated with crude oil compatibility. Mixing incompatible crude oils can result in massive sludge formation in tanks.
Crude oil tank farms often mix crude oils of diferent origin.
In some cases these oils are not compatible.
On mixing incompatible oils a change in sollubility equilibrismo can taje place with a exsolution/precipitation of aspalternes, and sludge formation.
Before mixing crudes check on crude oil compatibility.
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