Evaluation of Measurement Methods of Waxy Crude Oil Thixotropy.

The thixotropy of three waxy crude oils was measured to evaluate different measurement methods using RheolabQC. The results showed that the average relative deviation using the hysteresis loop method was 24.4%, the lowest among the methods evaluated. The method of stepwise-increase in shear rate was able to obtain several rheological characteristics from a single experiment, and such a thixotropic experiment can be performed with any rheometer. This makes the stepwise-increase in shear rate the method of choice when considering convenience. However, the method of hysteresis loop is preferable when it comes to the reliability of measuring thixotropic parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]