Flow characteristics of waxy crude oils in laboratory experimental loops

Waxy crude oils are, at low temperatures, highly non-Newtonian fluids. The crystallization of wax seems to be the cause of their non-Newtonian behavior. Moreover, the flow properties show time-dependence indicating an evolution of the structure with continued shear (termed “thixotropy”). s paper, on the basis of the experimental data, we have developed a physical model which tries to describe the low temperature behavior of waxy crudes in laboratory experimental loops. The correspondent mathematical problem has been investigated performing a quasisteady approximation which we have shown to be physically consistent.