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Abstract

In this research, paraffin wax deposition models were evaluated using a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). This is a metaheuristic approach to multi-parametric solution of complex mathematical problems. The study aims to apply a suitable metaheuristic technique to analyse the parameters of paraffin wax-related flow assurance issues in onshore oil and gas facilities in Nigeria, thereby ensuring optimal productivity and operational efficiency. Thus, a paraffin wax sample collected from a typical onshore production facility was analysed in a laboratory to determine its thermophysical and transport properties and composition. These properties are the WAT, melting point, flash point, liquid density, and dynamic viscosities, respectively, given as 32 °C, 52 °C, 191 °C, 906 kg /m3 and 6.812×10-5 kg / ms . This showed the range of safe thermal exposure for optimal flow assurance. Also, the compositional analysis revealed the molecular mass, molecular formula, structural formula, and spectral orientations of the different components of the sample. The molar volume of the heaviest component was estimated to evaluate the time required for a wax particle to diffuse a length equal to its diameter under different deposition mechanisms. The average minimum times taken by a wax particle to diffuse a length equal to its diameter by molecular diffusion, Brownian diffusion, shear dispersion, gravity settling, and thermal diffusion are respectively 1.0265×1016 seconds, 4.6650×1026 seconds, 2.0004×103 seconds, 9.9010×103 seconds and 4.7453×109 seconds. Therefore, maintaining the safe thermal exposure of the waxy fluid in the piping system and ensuring the residency time does not exceed the minimum of these values guarantees optimal flow assurance and operational efficiency.

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