Rheological Characterization of Waxy Crude Oils: Sample Preparation

In this paper, we describe an experimental protocol designed to ensure well-defined thermal and shear histories of a waxy crude oil sample to be submitted to rheological measurements. We discuss the criteria for choosing an appropriate pretreatment, the geometry, and the temperature range, among other parameters. This protocol includes the so-called thermal cycle test, which is shown to play a key role in determining the appropriate test conditions. Possible sources of measurement error are discussed in detail.In this paper, we describe an experimental protocol designed to ensure well-defined thermal and shear histories of a waxy crude oil sample to be submitted to rheological measurements. We discuss the criteria for choosing an appropriate pretreatment, the geometry, and the temperature range, among other parameters. This protocol includes the so-called thermal cycle test, which is shown to play a key role in determining the appropriate test conditions. Possible sources of measurement error are discussed in detail.A