Investigation on the Removal of Paraffin Wax Deposition by Magnetic Field

Paraffin wax deposition creates problem to the surface facilities. One of the solutions
to this problem is by applying magnetic field technology to reduce the viscosity. The
effects of a magnetic field on aggregates to control paraffin wax deposition have
been reviewed in technical literature. Chai Set Lee, Use of Magnetic Field in
Paraffin Wax Deposition Control for Surface Facilities (2008) reported an
experimental study on the influence of magnetic field on wax deposition removal
and viscosity reduction. Chas Set Lee reported the configuration where the pipe is
placed along the length of each magnet, on top of the pipe are both South poles while
at the bottom are the North poles displayed the best magnetic field lines where all the
line were at the right angle to the direction of force, this new cumulative force is
bigger and acting at the same direction. This configuration is used in the wax
removal experiment with different number of magnets, crude oil flow rate and
temperature. However, experts in scale and paraffin control from industry leaders
like Schlumberger, Nalco Chem and etc. believed that the magnetic field is
something new and still in R&D stage where it is not proven in real applications.
Thus, the objective of this exploration study is to find more scientific explanation on
the effects of varies the numbers of magnets and the effects of applying different
temperature and flow rate of crude oil in paraffin wax deposition control. Within the
scope of this work the theme of magnetic technology control paraffin wax deposition
is discussed based on preliminary laboratory and field results. From the results
obtained in the experiments, it has been proven the effect of using magnetic field
which reduces paraffin wax deposition by 2%. The efficiency of the magnetic field
can be improved with some modification to the magnet strength, the crude oil flow
rate and temperature. Results from this study hopefully will have significant impact
in the industry to solve problems in crude oil production and transportation. This
new investigation is proposed to be advance studied on the effect of magnetic field
which could produce precise scientific explanation on the whole process.