Use of Magnetic Field in Paraffin Wax Deposition Control for Surface Facilities

Paraffin deposition is one of the major catastrophes that plague the oil industry around
the world, causing problems such as clogging, equipment malfunction, etc. Millions of
dollars are spent annually to carry out remedial activities. Magnetic field technology
which has long history in treating hard water, is one of the new techniques to control
paraffin deposition. Magnetic field is utilized through the application of Magnetic Fluid
Controller (MFC), where magneto hydrodynamics and Lorentz force governs the
magnetic effect on deposits. One of the direct effects of magnetic field on crude is
temporary reduction in viscosity. Inadequacy of research and evidence has discouraged
local oil companies to integrate this technology into their systems even though there are
several success records. This research intends to produce a set of information on the
behavior of paraffin wax under the influence of magnetic field and to investigate the
effect of magnetic field in wax deposition control and temporary viscosity reduction.
The scope of work includes review on the behavior of paraffin wax under magnetic
field, understanding on the basic concept of magnetic fields and other related theories,
and design as well as execution of experiments to investigate the magnetic field effects.
An experimental setup consists of a closed flow loop, MFC and a pump, is used to study
the effect ofthree variables; magnets orientation, magnetic field density and flow rate on
the removal rate. Experiments were carried out under four conditions as a result of
different combination of these variables where difference in initial and final values of
deposited wax mass and viscosity are the parameters that define the effectiveness. These
parameters were plotted over time and pattern analyzed. Condition 1 with magnets
configuration 1 and flow rate of 373.32 L/hr generates 15.00 mT of flux density,
provides the highest removal rate of 12.53 mg/L/Tesla. Fluid viscosity reduction of 1.56
cP was observed after 30 minutes exposure, and the value returns to initial viscosity
after 114 minutes. Based on results, magnetic field technology is an effective technique
to solve paraffin deposition and viscosity problems. However, several adjustments are
needed to cater for actual industry application where crude is the flowing liquid, with
bigger and longer pipeline, as well as different pumping capacity.