WO2011084042A1 - Processus et moyen d'élimination de dépôts cireux dans des pipelines d'hydrocarbures - Google Patents

Processus et moyen d'élimination de dépôts cireux dans des pipelines d'hydrocarbures Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011084042A1
WO2011084042A1 PCT/MY2010/000005 MY2010000005W WO2011084042A1 WO 2011084042 A1 WO2011084042 A1 WO 2011084042A1 MY 2010000005 W MY2010000005 W MY 2010000005W WO 2011084042 A1 WO2011084042 A1 WO 2011084042A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microwave
pipeline
crawler
deposits
paraffinic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/MY2010/000005
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nagendran C. Nadarajah
Mahendran Suppiah
Ionel Valeriu Grozescu
Original Assignee
Kingtime International Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kingtime International Limited filed Critical Kingtime International Limited
Priority to PCT/MY2010/000005 priority Critical patent/WO2011084042A1/fr
Publication of WO2011084042A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011084042A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
    • B08B9/0322—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid in combination with a plug, e.g. inflatable mole, to isolate a part of the tube
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L53/00—Heating of pipes or pipe systems; Cooling of pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L53/30—Heating of pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L53/34—Heating of pipes or pipe systems using electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields, e.g. using induction, dielectric or microwave heating

Definitions

  • This invention relates to removal of paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits from interior pipeline, hydrocarbon fluid pipelines, storage vessels and similar equipment where waxy crude oils are transported or stored. More particularly the invention relates to a system and method of removing paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits from internal surface walls of long pipelines.
  • Crude oil extracted from wells often contain N. paraffin which contains linear chain alkanes, Alkanes of Ci to C 4 carbon chain length are in gaseous state, while alkanes of between C 5 to Ci 6 carbon chain length are in liquid state and alkanes of Ci6 and above are generally solid state.
  • Crude oil extracted from wells are often transported to a storage tank or receiving terminals by pipeline means. If the wells are off-shore, then the pipeline means would often be placed undersea. Wax from the extracted crude oil are deposited all along the internal wall surfaces of the pipelines. The deposit of wax within the pipeline creates serious problems. The deposit of wax interrupts the planned flow capacity of the pipeline, which may result in stoppage of the flow of the oil.
  • US Patent No. 4,646,837 discusses some of the prior art methods of removal of wax deposits and their disadvantages or limitations.
  • the said patent itself discloses a process for removing solid wax- containing material from surfaces with a surfactant dispersant and a light hydrocarbon, thereafter flushing the surface with crude oil, and sweeping the surfaces with an emulsion of a sheared solution of the surfactant, the light hydrocarbon and water.
  • the addition of chemical into the crude oil adds downstream problems in removal of the added chemicals. This leads to increased costs of removal of wax deposits.
  • This system to function requires continuous flowing liquid, it relates to gas hydrate formation but does not address blockages by paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits. Further it does not address the problem of completely plugged pipelines caused by paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits.
  • Another disadvantage is that microwave will get attenuated at first point of presence of dielectric material, such as water. This would result in localised heating, which if not managed, would be unacceptable as introducing hazards and risks.
  • the system should not create any hazards or risks such as localised overheating.
  • the system should be capable being utilised in subsea fluid pipelines.
  • the invention discloses a method of removing paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits from interior of hydrocarbon carrying pipeline comprising optionally introducing microwave absorbing fluid into pipeline such fluid to be in contact with paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits, generating microwave radiation and propagating the radiation towards water contained in the deposits and/or microwave absorbing fluid introduced in previous step to raise temperature of the water and / or the microwave absorbing fluid wherein the water and /or microwave absorbing fluid so heated transmits heat energy by conduction to the paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits which then liquefies and extracting slurry from the pipeline. At least one type of surfactant is introduced into the slurry before extraction.
  • the surfactant can be mixed with microwave absorbing fluid before or as the microwave absorbing fluid is introduced into the pipeline.
  • a microwave generating unit is mounted onto a pipeline crawler assembly or to a pipeline pig.
  • the invention discloses a method of removing paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits from interior of a hydrocarbon carrying pipeline comprising, generating microwave radiation, transmitting microwave radiation to a microwave guide assembly from which microwave radiation is propagated directly to water containing paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits or microwave absorbing fluid introduced into a chamber formed between the microwave guide assembly on the paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits, awaiting the transfer of heat from microwave absorbing fluid onto the paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits so as to liquefy the paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits, and extracting the slurry.
  • the microwave generating unit and the microwave guide assembly are mounted onto a crawler or to a pipeline pig.
  • the slurry is extracted through a return conduit mounted through the crawler or the pipeline pig.
  • the microwave absorbing fluid is introduced to chamber formed between crawler unit and paraffinic and / or asphaltic through a fluid bypass channel mounted in the crawler or the pipeline pig.
  • Microwave radiation is generated in a microwave generator mounted onto the crawler or the pipeline pig or in a microwave generator located outside the crawler or the pipeline pig and is connected to the microwave guide assembly by means of a coaxial cable.
  • the crawler or the pipeline pig is propelled forward by means of liquid or fluid mixture pressure from rear of crawler or pipeline pig, or by use of coiled tubing.
  • the invention discloses a crawler adapted for removal of paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits from the interior of a hydrocarbon carrying pipeline comprising of a crawler with microwave generator, a microwave guide assembly, a fluid bypass channel optionally with pressure differential valve mounted at front end of channel, and a return conduit.
  • the microwave generator can be positioned remote from and independent of the crawler.
  • Fig. 1 drawing illustrating a system of removal of paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits from a pipeline.
  • Fig. 2. shows a schematic cross-sectional view of crawler with a microwave heating system built in.
  • Fig. 3. shows a schematic cross-sectional view of crawler with a remotely located microwave generating unit.
  • a pipeline (10) contains a paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits plug (12) completely preventing the flow of the crude oil.
  • the cause(s) of such plug formation is/are well known in the art and would not be discussed herein.
  • the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits plug (12) may or may not contain pockets of water.
  • Water is a dielectric material which absorbs microwave energy resulting in increase of its temperature.
  • Hydrocarbon wax is a non- dielectric material and does not absorb any microwave energy and shows no reaction when exposed to microwaves. In this embodiment, water in sufficient amount is introduced into the pipeline, so as to be in physical contact with the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits (12).
  • Water can be introduced through a conduit (not shown) inserted into the pipeline (10) and the conduit is urged forward until the terminal end is adjacent to the plug (12), a return flow conduit means (14) is also introduced into the pipeline (10) in such a manner that the terminal end of the conduit is adjacent to the solid wax deposit plug (12).
  • a return flow conduit means (14) is also introduced into the pipeline (10) in such a manner that the terminal end of the conduit is adjacent to the solid wax deposit plug (12).
  • microwaves (16) generated from a microwave generating unit (not shown) are propagated from an open end of the pipeline. The propagated microwaves reach the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits plug (12) and the water introduced earlier. The water subjected to microwaves (16) is heated up.
  • the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits in contact with the heated water is now heated by conduction and the temperature of the wax paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits begins to rise , and at elevated temperatures above the wax appearance temperature (WAT) of the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits, it begins to liquefy (or melt).
  • WAT wax appearance temperature
  • the new liquefied wax flows into the heated water.
  • suitable surfactants are included in the water introduced earlier. The nature surfactants used in the crude oil industry is well known and will not be described in detail here. If paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits contain significant quantities of water, then there is no necessary of introducing any microwave absorbing fluid. The microwave can be directly propagated towards the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits.
  • the water in the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits heats up and then liquefies the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits in contact with it.
  • the slurry (18) of water, wax deposits and dissolved surfactants are removed from the region adjacent to the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits plug, by suction through the returns flow conduit means (14). The mixture so extracted is subject to subsequent treatment or disposal.
  • the microwaves (16) are generated by a microwave generating unit placed remotely from the plug (12), preferably on a surface platform or workstation (not shown).
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of a crawler (20) with built - in microwave radiating system.
  • This embodiment, of the invention comprises a method of clearing paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits from the interior of the pipe (10).
  • the crawler unit (20) is adapted to house a microwave generator (magnetron) (22), and a microwave guide assembly (24).
  • the crawler (20) has a fluid bypass channel (26) which serves to bring fluid from rear end of the crawler to its forward end. Terminal end of the fluid bypass channel (26) is equipped with a differential pressure valve (34).
  • the forward end of the crawler has a series of nozzles (not shown) to provide turbulence of the liquid infront of the crawler (20).
  • the crawler further includes a return conduit (28).
  • the microwave generator (22) is powered by an external power source, preferably located on topside, and which is electrically connected to the microwave generator (22) by means of a power cable (30).
  • the microwave generator is connected to a microwave guide assembly (24) by means of a coaxial cable (32).
  • the crawler is moved forward through the pipeline by the pressure of a liquid or a fluid mixture applied to the rear end of the crawler.
  • a coiled tubing method known in the art, can be adopted to propel the crawler forward.
  • the liquid or the fluid mixture flows through the fluid by pass channel (26), which channel is equipped with a differential pressure valve (34).
  • Valve operational differential pressure range can be set in a desired range.
  • the forward end of the crawler optionally, has a series of nozzles (not shown) allowing the fluid under pressure in the fluid bypass channel (26), to agitate and suspend discrete solids, such as mist, sand particles, scraped paraffinic and / or asphaltic solids.
  • microwaves are generated which is transmitted to the microwave guide assembly (24) by means of the coaxial cable (32).
  • the microwave guide assembly (24) is equipped with a wave radiating element (not shown).
  • the microwave generator unit (22) is incorporated onto the crawler (20).
  • the microwave generator unit is typically a modified magnetron which is used for industrial process heating applications, and is available in a broad size and power range.
  • the magnetron generates microwaves at 2.45 Ghz and is powered by through a power cable (30) from a power supply located on topside facilities.
  • the microwaves propagated from the microwave guide assembly heats up the liquid or fluid mixture in front of the crawler.
  • the heated liquid or fluid mixture heats up the paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits in the interior of the pipeline and infront of the crawler. Water contained or embedded in the deposits also get heated by absorption of the microwaves and the so heated water liquefies the deposit with which at is in physical contact. Upon the deposit being liquefied, it is prevented from clogging together by the presence of surfactant in the liquid or fluid mixture.
  • the slurry comprising of liquid or fluid mixture, liquefied deposit, surfactant and other particulate matters from the deposit is extracted or sucked back through the return conduit (28) to top side facilities for disposal or subsequent treatment.
  • the crawler unit is propelled forward to continue / repeat the process.
  • the water content originally present in the paraffinic and / or asphaltic deposits is high, then there may not be a necessity to introduce liquid or fluid mixture between the crawler and the deposit.
  • Microwave from the microwave guide assembly can be propagated directly on the deposits.
  • the embedded water therein will absorb the microwave energy and would be heated, which heated water will liquefy or melt the deposit.
  • the slurry so formed will be extracted or sucked through the return conduit from the chamber (36) formed by the chamber and the paraffin and/or asphaltic deposits.
  • Fig. 3 The system is similar in configuration and method of operation, except the microwave generator (22) is located outside the crawler (20), preferably on the topside facilities.
  • the microwave generator is connected to the microwave guide assembly (24) by a microwave coaxial cable (32).
  • the return conduit (28) can be advantageously be coupled to the coiled tubing (not shown) which tubing is used to move the crawler forward.
  • the crawlers can be fitted with scrapers to scrap the internal wall of the pipeline.
  • the water is used as the microwave absorbing fluid. Other such fluids which are cost effective can also be used.
  • Cationic (cetylpyridinium chloride), nonionic (polyethylene oxides), and anionic (sodium lauryl sulphate) surfactant can be used.
  • surfactants other ingredients such as stabilizers, descalers, rust inhibitors, and emulsion breakers, and the like can be advantageously added to the liquid or fluid mixture.
  • liquid, fluid mixture in this description refers to microwave absorbing fluid, including water. The microwave absorbing fluid can be pre-heated before introduction into the pipeline. This would reduce the time to heat the fluid. The time taken to liquefy the deposits in the pipeline would depend on the amount of water contained in the deposits, the temperature of the liquid or fluid mixture, nature of the deposits.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé d'élimination de dépôts de paraffine et / ou d'asphalte de l'intérieur d'un pipeline transportant des hydrocarbures. Le procédé comporte une étape optionnelle consistant à introduire un fluide absorbant les micro-ondes, par exemple de l'eau, dans le pipeline, ledit fluide étant appelé à entrer en contact avec les dépôts de paraffine et / ou d'asphalte, un rayonnement de micro-ondes étant généré et propagé vers l'eau contenue dans les dépôts et / ou le fluide absorbant les micro-ondes introduit lors des étapes précédentes afin d'élever la température de l'eau et / ou du fluide absorbant les micro-ondes. L'eau et / ou le fluide ainsi chauffés transmettent de la chaleur par conduction aux dépôts, qui se liquéfient alors. La bouillie ainsi formée est extraite du pipeline, au moins un surfactant étant introduit dans la bouillie pour empêcher les dépôts de s'agglutiner lorsqu'ils refroidissent.
PCT/MY2010/000005 2010-01-11 2010-01-11 Processus et moyen d'élimination de dépôts cireux dans des pipelines d'hydrocarbures WO2011084042A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/MY2010/000005 WO2011084042A1 (fr) 2010-01-11 2010-01-11 Processus et moyen d'élimination de dépôts cireux dans des pipelines d'hydrocarbures

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/MY2010/000005 WO2011084042A1 (fr) 2010-01-11 2010-01-11 Processus et moyen d'élimination de dépôts cireux dans des pipelines d'hydrocarbures

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WO2011084042A1 true WO2011084042A1 (fr) 2011-07-14

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020252547A1 (fr) * 2019-06-19 2020-12-24 Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Système de désobstruction ou de nettoyage de conduits au moyen d'une réaction locale commandée
RU2818518C2 (ru) * 2019-06-19 2024-05-02 Петролео Бразилейро С.А. - Петробраз Система для разблокирования или очистки трубопроводов посредством управляемой локальной реакции

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB896406A (en) * 1959-05-25 1962-05-16 Petro Electronics Corp Method of fluidising or reducing the viscosity of organic substances
US6307191B1 (en) * 1999-12-30 2001-10-23 Marathon Oil Compamy Microwave heating system for gas hydrate removal or inhibition in a hydrocarbon pipeline
US6651744B1 (en) * 1997-11-21 2003-11-25 Superior Services, Llc Bi-directional thruster pig apparatus and method of utilizing same
US20050217855A1 (en) * 2002-05-07 2005-10-06 Agr Subsea As Method and a device for removing a hydrate plug

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB896406A (en) * 1959-05-25 1962-05-16 Petro Electronics Corp Method of fluidising or reducing the viscosity of organic substances
US6651744B1 (en) * 1997-11-21 2003-11-25 Superior Services, Llc Bi-directional thruster pig apparatus and method of utilizing same
US6307191B1 (en) * 1999-12-30 2001-10-23 Marathon Oil Compamy Microwave heating system for gas hydrate removal or inhibition in a hydrocarbon pipeline
US20050217855A1 (en) * 2002-05-07 2005-10-06 Agr Subsea As Method and a device for removing a hydrate plug

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020252547A1 (fr) * 2019-06-19 2020-12-24 Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras Système de désobstruction ou de nettoyage de conduits au moyen d'une réaction locale commandée
GB2602561A (en) * 2019-06-19 2022-07-06 Petroleo Brasileiro Sa Petrobras System for unblocking or cleaning ducts by means of a controlled local reaction
GB2602561B (en) * 2019-06-19 2023-08-02 Petroleo Brasileiro Sa Petrobras System for unblocking or cleaning ducts by means of a controlled local reaction
RU2818518C2 (ru) * 2019-06-19 2024-05-02 Петролео Бразилейро С.А. - Петробраз Система для разблокирования или очистки трубопроводов посредством управляемой локальной реакции

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