AC Heating System for Hydrocarbon Tubing Wax Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon production and transportation are hindered by wax deposition and viscosity issues due to temperature drops in wellboreholes, leading to reduced flow rates and increased energy requirements for re-starting wells, as existing heating methods like resistive heating are inefficient and unable to target specific areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A heating system utilizing alternating current (AC) power sources connected to insulated electrical conductors, which provide controlled heating profiles along hydrocarbon tubing by varying AC voltage and frequency, minimizing power consumption and ensuring temperatures remain above waxing temperatures through reactance heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If resistive heating elements are used to heat hydrocarbon fluids in wellboreholes, then the temperature of the fluids can be maintained above waxing temperature, but the energy consumption is high and the heating is not efficiently targeted to specific areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different sections of the wellbore to receive different heating intensities through controlled AC power distribution. The system can target specific zones where wax deposition is most problematic, rather than uniformly heating the entire wellbore, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic heating control by using AC power sources with variable voltage and frequency that can be adjusted in real-time based on temperature sensors and flow conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize energy consumption by providing heating only when and where required, rather than continuous static heating.
2Productivity
If heating is applied to maintain flow rate by preventing wax crystallisation, then hydrocarbon flow rate is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using temperature sensors along the wellbore to monitor fluid temperature and wax deposition conditions. This feedback information is used to adjust the AC heating power dynamically, ensuring that heating is applied only to the extent necessary to maintain flow rate above waxing temperature, thereby optimizing the balance between productivity and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing heating only to the specific degree necessary to prevent wax crystallisation and maintain flow rate, rather than excessive heating that would consume more power than needed. The AC power system is controlled to deliver just sufficient thermal energy to keep temperatures above the waxing point.
3Reliability
If conventional resistive heating is used, then heating can be provided throughout the wellbore, but the ability to target specific areas requiring heating is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wellbore into multiple zones with independent heating control through distributed AC power delivery. Each zone can be heated independently based on its specific requirements, allowing the system to maintain reliable temperature coverage throughout while adapting to target specific problem areas with higher heating intensity where needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces energy expenditure by optimizing heating profiles, maintaining hydrocarbon flow rates and preventing wax crystallization, while minimizing power usage and operational costs, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon production and transportation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Prior art solutions for heating the fluids being extracted in a well borehole typically rely on resistive heating of heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrocarbon heating system for a hydrocarbon production and/or transportation system comprising at least one electrical conductor and an alternating current (AC) power source connected to the at least one electrical conductor. The alternating current power source generates heat in the at least one electrical conductor by providing alternating current power to the at least one electrical conductor.