A device and method for cleaning and paraffin removal from oil pipelines

Abstract

The application provides a petroleum pipeline wax removal and prevention device and method, which comprises a protective shell, a microwave emission assembly and a frequency conversion cabinet. The microwave emission assembly is arranged in the protective shell. The microwave emission assembly is arranged in at least two rows in parallel along the axis of the protective shell. The microwave emission assembly is uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction. The space between the two rows of microwave emission assemblies is a petroleum pipeline channel. The petroleum pipeline channel is coaxial with the protective shell. Each row of microwave emission assemblies is connected to the frequency conversion cabinet through a terminal post and a cable outside the protective shell. The microwave emission assemblies are connected in series. The microwave emission assembly is arranged in the circumferential direction of the petroleum pipeline. The emission direction of the microwave emission assembly is towards the outer wall of the petroleum pipeline. The generated intense oscillation causes the crude oil in the petroleum pipeline to resonate, destroys the internal structure of atoms, disturbs the arrangement of paraffin molecules, prevents the generation of paraffin, and makes the crude oil not to precipitate paraffin during the flow in the pipeline, thereby avoiding the pipeline from being blocked by paraffin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of petroleum extraction industry technology, specifically relating to a device and method for cleaning and preventing wax from oil pipelines. Background Technology

[0002] During oilfield development, most of the crude oil produced in my country is paraffin-based. During transportation, changes in physical properties such as pressure, temperature, and viscosity cause paraffin in the crude oil to continuously crystallize and precipitate, depositing on the inner wall of the pipeline. As the thickness of the crystallized layer increases, the inner diameter of the pipeline gradually decreases, increasing the resistance of the fluid medium passing through the pipeline and reducing the flow rate. This not only affects the normal production of oil wells but can also lead to pipeline blockage in severe cases, posing certain safety hazards.

[0003] Common methods for removing and preventing wax buildup include mechanical, hot washing, chemical, surface energy, and microbial methods. However, these methods are costly, complex, and have limited effectiveness in preventing and removing wax buildup. In recent years, permanent magnet wax inhibitors, electromagnetic wax inhibitors, and ultrasonic wax inhibitors have been developed. Although these devices can prevent wax buildup to some extent, their limitations in structure and technology mean that they cannot yet meet the needs of wax prevention and normal production in oil wells. The problem of wax buildup continues to hinder normal production in oil wells.

[0004] The State Intellectual Property Office published an invention patent on April 22, 2015, with publication number CN104373081A, entitled "Electromagnetic Microwave Oscillating Anti-scaling and Anti-wax Device." This patent discloses a polished rod fixed to the outer shell of the anti-scaling and anti-wax device via a polished rod holding device. A base is located at the bottom of the outer shell, and an armature is located at the upper center of the base. A vibrating body is mounted on the upper end of the base via several resonant springs. An electromagnet and coil are located at the lower end of the vibrating body. A power insertion hole is located at the bottom of the outer shell, and several heat dissipation holes are evenly distributed on the outer shell. This invention utilizes electromagnetic microwave oscillation to drive the polished rod to vibrate, thereby causing the downhole sucker rod to vibrate. This effectively prevents scale and wax buildup on the sucker rod downhole, thus effectively preventing scale and wax buildup. However, this invention uses microwave oscillation to drive the polished rod to vibrate, rather than directly acting on the paraffin molecules, which cannot guarantee the anti-wax effect, and the energy cannot be adjusted according to the amount of wax buildup. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a dewaxing and anti-waxing device for oil pipelines, overcoming the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method for preventing paraffin formation in oil pipelines by using microwaves to generate "resonance" with crude oil, thereby disrupting the internal structure of molecules, disturbing the arrangement of paraffin molecules, and preventing the formation of paraffin.

[0007] Therefore, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A device for cleaning and preventing wax from oil pipelines includes a protective shell, a microwave emitting assembly, and a frequency converter cabinet. The microwave emitting assembly is disposed inside the protective shell. There are multiple microwave emitting assemblies, which are arranged in at least two parallel rows along the axial direction of the protective shell. The two rows of microwave emitting assemblies are evenly arranged circumferentially on the inner wall of the protective shell. The space between the two rows of microwave emitting assemblies is an oil pipeline channel, and the oil pipeline channel is coaxial with the protective shell.

[0009] Each row of microwave emitting components is connected to a cable via a terminal block outside the protective housing. The other end of the cable is connected to the frequency converter cabinet, and the microwave emitting components are connected in series.

[0010] It also includes a control cabinet, which is electrically connected to the frequency converter cabinet.

[0011] The protective shell is provided with connecting flanges at both ends, and the oil pipeline passes through the connecting flanges.

[0012] The microwave transmitting assembly includes a transmitter and a transmitter probe, the transmitter probe being mounted on the transmitter and facing the outer wall of the oil pipeline.

[0013] It also includes Fresnel lenses and pull rods. There are multiple Fresnel lenses, all of which are mounted on the pull rods. The pull rods are located between the microwave transmitting assembly and the oil pipeline. Both ends of the pull rods are provided with pull rings 11, and the other end of the pull rings 11 passes through the connecting flange.

[0014] It also includes multiple Fresnel lenses and lead screws. Each Fresnel lens is mounted on the lead screw via a nut. Each Fresnel lens corresponds to a nut, and the spacing between two adjacent nuts is the same as the spacing between microwave transmitting components. One end of each lead screw is connected to a motor, and an angle encoder is mounted on the motor. Both the motor and the angle encoder are electrically connected to the controller.

[0015] The oil pipeline is coated with an anti-scaling and anti-wax coating, which is a plasma crystal.

[0016] A method for removing paraffin from oil pipelines involves radiating microwaves onto the pipeline using a microwave emitting component. The oscillations generated by the microwaves cause the crude oil within the pipeline to resonate, disrupting the internal structure of the atoms and interfering with the arrangement of paraffin molecules, thus preventing the formation of paraffin. This prevents paraffin from precipitating out during the flow of crude oil within the pipeline. Simultaneously, adjusting the microwave frequency enables microwave heating to remove paraffin, preventing pipeline blockage.

[0017] When it is necessary to remove stubborn wax molecules from oil pipelines, microwaves emitted by a Fresnel lens are focused to achieve high energy and remove the wax.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0019] The oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-wax device provided by this invention has a microwave emitting component located around the circumference of the oil pipeline, with the emission direction of the microwave emitting component facing the outer wall of the oil pipeline. The intense oscillation generated causes the crude oil in the oil pipeline to "resonate", which destroys the internal structure of the atoms, disrupts the arrangement of paraffin molecules, prevents the formation of paraffin, and prevents the crude oil from precipitating paraffin during the flow of the pipeline, thus avoiding wax buildup and blockage of the pipeline.

[0020] This invention uses a frequency converter to change the microwave frequency and employs microwave heating to remove paraffin wax from oil pipelines. This invention primarily focuses on preventing wax buildup, combining wax prevention and removal techniques. It features low microwave energy consumption and high effectiveness.

[0021] This invention involves installing a Fresnel lens between the transmitter probe and the outer wall of the oil pipeline. When focused energy is needed, the Fresnel lens is moved by a lever to position it directly below the transmitter probe, thereby focusing the emitted microwaves and achieving stronger focused energy to break down stubborn wax molecules on the inner wall of the oil pipeline. When strong energy is not needed, the Fresnel lens can be moved away by the lever.

[0022] The following will provide a more detailed explanation in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an internal structural diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Variable frequency drive cabinet; 2. Microwave transmitter assembly; 3. Transmitter probe; 4. Protective housing; 5. Terminal block; 6. Oil pipeline; 7. Fresnel lens; 8. Cable; 9. Conduit; 10. Pull rod; 11. Pull ring; 12. Connecting flange. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to fully and completely disclose the invention and to fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings is not intended to limit the invention. In the drawings, the same units / elements are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0029] Unless otherwise stated, the terms used herein (including technical terms) have their common meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it is understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be understood to have a meaning consistent with the context of their relevant field, and not to be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0030] Example 1:

[0031] To address the technical problems of high cost, complex processes, and limited wax removal and anti-waxing effects of existing methods such as mechanical wax removal, hot washing wax removal, chemical wax removal, surface energy wax removal, and microbial wax removal, this embodiment provides a wax removal and anti-waxing device for oil pipelines, including a protective shell 4, microwave emitting components 2, and a frequency converter cabinet 1. The microwave emitting components 2 are disposed inside the protective shell 4, and there are multiple microwave emitting components 2. The multiple microwave emitting components 2 are arranged in at least two parallel rows along the axial direction of the protective shell 4. The two rows of microwave emitting components 2 are evenly arranged circumferentially on the inner wall of the protective shell 4, and the space between the two rows of microwave emitting components 2 is the oil pipeline 6 channel. The oil pipeline channel 6 is coaxial with the protective shell 4.

[0032] Each row of microwave emitting components 2 is connected to a cable 8 via a terminal block 5 outside the protective shell 4. The other end of the cable 8 is connected to the frequency converter cabinet 1, and the microwave emitting components 2 are connected in series.

[0033] Microwaves refer to electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 300MHz to 3000GHz; they are a shorthand for a finite frequency band within radio waves. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the oil pipeline anti-wax device is installed outside the oil pipeline 6. It uses microwaves to generate intense oscillations, causing the crude oil inside the oil pipeline 6 to "resonate," which disrupts the internal structure of the molecules, disturbs the arrangement of paraffin molecules, and prevents the formation of paraffin crystals.

[0034] Example 2:

[0035] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides an oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-waxing device, which also includes a control cabinet, and the control cabinet is electrically connected to the frequency converter cabinet 1.

[0036] Depending on the amount of paraffin wax or the need for wax removal, the frequency of the microwave is controlled by frequency converter cabinet 1 to achieve microwave resonance for wax prevention or microwave heating for wax removal. The control cabinet is electrically connected to frequency converter cabinet 1, enabling both remote and on-site adjustment modes as needed.

[0037] Example 3:

[0038] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides an oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-wax device, wherein the protective shell 4 is provided with connecting flanges 12 at both ends, and the oil pipeline 6 passes through the connecting flanges 12.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the protective shell 4 has connecting flanges 12 at both ends, which are fitted onto the oil pipeline 6 to fix the protective shell 4 to the oil pipeline 6. The protective shell 4 is a cylindrical structure open at both ends. The microwave emitting assembly 2 is located between the protective shell 4 and the oil pipeline 6, with the protective shell 4 fitted onto the oil pipeline 6.

[0040] In this embodiment, the microwave emitting components 2 are arranged in two rows, so as to... Figure 2 The description is in the middle, which means two rows, one above the other. The two rows of microwave emitting components 2 can emit alternately or simultaneously depending on the amount of wax.

[0041] Example 4:

[0042] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides an oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-wax device. The microwave emitting assembly 2 includes a transmitter and a transmitter probe 3. The transmitter probe 3 is installed on the transmitter and faces the outer wall of the oil pipeline 6.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the transmitter is positioned close to the inner wall of the protective housing 4, and the transmitter probe 3 is mounted on the transmitter, facing the oil pipeline 6. When the frequency converter cabinet 1 is started, the transmitter starts accordingly, and the transmitter probe 3 emits microwaves towards the oil pipeline 6. Microwave energy is typically obtained from direct current or 50Hz alternating current through a special device. Many types of devices can generate microwaves, but they are mainly divided into two categories: semiconductor devices and vacuum electronic devices. In this embodiment, the microwave emitting assembly is a semiconductor device, with a threaded housing structure similar to a bellows, and its internal structure is the same as that of existing semiconductor devices.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, to facilitate the electrical connection between the transmitter and the frequency converter cabinet 1, a terminal block 5 is provided on the outer wall of the protective shell 4. The transmitter is electrically connected to the frequency converter cabinet 1 through the terminal block 5. A conduit 9 is provided between the terminal blocks of the frequency converter cabinet and the transmitter. The conduit 9 is a tubular structure with open ends, and the cable 8 can be moved through the conduit 9. The conduit 9 can be used to protect the cable 8.

[0045] Example 5:

[0046] Based on Embodiment 3, this embodiment provides an oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-wax device, which also includes Fresnel lenses 7 and pull rods 10. There are multiple Fresnel lenses 7, all of which are installed on the pull rods 10. The pull rods 10 are located between the microwave emitting assembly 2 and the oil pipeline 6. Both ends of the pull rods 10 are provided with pull rings 11, and the other end of the pull rings 11 passes through the connecting flanges 12.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the Fresnel lens 7 is installed between the transmitter probe 3 and the outer wall of the oil pipeline 6. The Fresnel lens 7 can focus the emitted microwaves, and the energy is stronger when focused, so as to destroy the stubborn wax molecules on the inner wall of the oil pipeline 6. When strong energy is not needed, the Fresnel lens 7 only needs to be irradiated normally.

[0048] In this embodiment, the position of the Fresnel lens 7 is adjusted by manually pulling the lever 10. The specific process is as follows:

[0049] The Fresnel lens 7 is mounted on the pull rod 10. A pull ring 11 is provided on the connecting flange 12. The pull ring 11 is located outside the protective shell 4. The pull ring 11 passes through the connecting flange 12 and is connected to the pull rod 10. Pulling the pull ring 11 causes the pull rod 10 to move along the axial direction of the oil pipeline 6, which in turn causes the Fresnel lens 7 to slide. The pull rod 10 can be used to move the Fresnel lens 7 so that the Fresnel lens 7 is located directly below the transmitter probe 3. That is, the sliding of the pull rod 10 is used to calibrate the position of the Fresnel lens 7 below the transmitter probe 3.

[0050] Example 6:

[0051] Based on Embodiment 3, this embodiment provides an oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-wax device, which also includes multiple Fresnel lenses 7 and lead screws. Each Fresnel lens 7 is mounted on the lead screw via nuts. Each Fresnel lens 7 corresponds to a nut, and the interval between two adjacent nuts is the same as the interval between microwave transmitting components 2. One end of the lead screw is connected to a motor, and an angle encoder is mounted on the motor. Both the motor and the angle encoder are electrically connected to the controller.

[0052] In this embodiment, a controller is used to control a motor to pull a lever to adjust the position of the Fresnel lens 7. The specific process is as follows:

[0053] When focusing microwave energy is required, the controller starts the motor, which rotates forward, driving the lead screw to rotate. This causes the nut to move the Fresnel lens 7 linearly along the lead screw. During this movement, the controller monitors the angle encoder data in real time. When the angle encoder data matches the set data, the controller sends a signal to stop the motor. At this time, the Fresnel lens 7 is directly below the transmitter probe 3. When focusing is not required, the controller reverses the motor, causing the lead screw to move in the opposite direction, thus displacing the Fresnel lens 7 from the transmitter probe 3.

[0054] Example 7:

[0055] Based on Example 1, this example provides a device for cleaning and preventing wax from oil pipelines. The oil pipeline 6 is coated with an anti-scaling and anti-wax coating, which is a plasma crystal.

[0056] In order to reduce the resistance of crude oil flow in oil pipeline 6, plasma crystal coating is performed on the inner wall of oil pipeline 6 to reduce the roughness of the inner surface of oil pipeline 6 and further prevent wax from forming in oil pipeline 6.

[0057] Example 8:

[0058] This embodiment provides a method for removing paraffin from oil pipelines. Microwaves are emitted from microwave emitting component 2 to radiate oil pipeline 6. The oscillations generated by the microwaves cause the crude oil in oil pipeline 6 to resonate, destroying the internal structure of atoms and disrupting the arrangement of paraffin molecules, thus preventing the formation of paraffin. This prevents paraffin from precipitating out during the flow of crude oil in oil pipeline 6. At the same time, by adjusting the microwave frequency, microwave heating is used to remove paraffin, avoiding blockage of the oil pipeline.

[0059] When it is necessary to remove stubborn wax molecules from oil pipeline 6, microwaves emitted by Fresnel lens 7 are focused to achieve high energy and remove the wax.

[0060] This invention focuses on preventing waxing, combining wax prevention and removal techniques. It features low microwave energy consumption and good results.

[0061] The above examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. All designs that are the same as or similar to the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wax removal and anti-wax device for oil pipelines, characterized in that: The device includes a protective shell, microwave emitting components, and a frequency converter cabinet. The microwave emitting components are located inside the protective shell. There are multiple microwave emitting components, which are arranged in at least two parallel rows along the axial direction of the protective shell. The two rows of microwave emitting components are evenly arranged circumferentially on the inner wall of the protective shell. The space between the two rows of microwave emitting components is an oil pipeline channel, and the oil pipeline channel is coaxial with the protective shell. Each row of microwave emitting components is connected to a cable via a terminal block outside the protective housing. The other end of the cable is connected to the frequency converter cabinet. The microwave emitting components are connected in series. The protective housing has connecting flanges at both ends, and the oil pipeline passes through the connecting flanges. It also includes Fresnel lenses and pull rods. There are multiple Fresnel lenses, all of which are mounted on the pull rods. The pull rods are located between the microwave transmitting assembly and the oil pipeline. Both ends of the pull rods are provided with pull rings, and the other end of the pull rings passes through the connecting flange.

2. A wax removal and anti-wax device for oil pipelines, characterized in that: The device includes a protective shell, microwave emitting components, and a frequency converter cabinet. The microwave emitting components are located inside the protective shell. There are multiple microwave emitting components, which are arranged in at least two parallel rows along the axial direction of the protective shell. The two rows of microwave emitting components are evenly arranged circumferentially on the inner wall of the protective shell. The space between the two rows of microwave emitting components is an oil pipeline channel, and the oil pipeline channel is coaxial with the protective shell. Each row of microwave emitting components is connected to a cable via a terminal block outside the protective housing. The other end of the cable is connected to the frequency converter cabinet. The microwave emitting components are connected in series. The protective housing has connecting flanges at both ends, and the oil pipeline passes through the connecting flanges. It also includes multiple Fresnel lenses and lead screws. Each Fresnel lens is mounted on the lead screw via a nut. Each Fresnel lens corresponds to a nut, and the spacing between two adjacent nuts is the same as the spacing between microwave transmitting components. One end of the lead screw is connected to a motor, and an angle encoder is mounted on the motor. Both the motor and the angle encoder are electrically connected to the control cabinet.

3. The oil pipeline dewaxing and anti-waxing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also includes a control cabinet, which is electrically connected to the frequency converter cabinet.

4. A wax removal and prevention device for oil pipelines according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The microwave transmitting assembly includes a transmitter and a transmitter probe, the transmitter probe being mounted on the transmitter and facing the outer wall of the oil pipeline.

5. A wax removal and anti-wax device for oil pipelines according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The oil pipeline is coated with an anti-scaling and anti-wax coating, which is a plasma crystal.

6. A method for removing and preventing wax from oil pipelines, using the oil pipeline wax removal and prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Microwaves are emitted from a microwave emitting component to radiate onto the oil pipeline. The oscillations generated by the microwaves cause the crude oil in the pipeline to resonate, disrupting the internal structure of the atoms and disturbing the arrangement of paraffin molecules, thus preventing the formation of paraffin. This prevents paraffin from precipitating out during the flow of crude oil in the pipeline. At the same time, by adjusting the microwave frequency, microwave heating is used to remove paraffin, avoiding blockage of the oil pipeline.

7. The method for removing wax from oil pipelines according to claim 6, characterized in that: When it is necessary to remove stubborn wax molecules from oil pipelines, microwaves emitted by a Fresnel lens are focused to achieve high energy and remove the wax.

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