Exothermic Solvent-Acid Reaction for Rapid Oilfield Deposit Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing paraffin and asphaltene deposits from petroleum production equipment are inefficient, as they either slowly dissolve the wax or require expensive water disposal, and can be kinetically unpredictable or explosive.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an exothermic reaction between a solvent and an acid to generate heat, which melts and dissolves the deposits, using terpene-containing solvents and alkyl sulfonic acids, allowing for efficient removal of deposits from the near-wellbore region and equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solvents and dispersants are used to remove paraffin deposits, then the deposits can be dissolved and removed, but the process is slow and requires water disposal which is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by using an exothermic reaction to generate high temperatures that rapidly melt the paraffin deposits, transforming the slow dissolution process into a fast melting and dispersal process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical dissolution mechanism with a thermal melting mechanism through exothermic reaction, substituting the slow chemical action with rapid thermal energy transfer that melts deposits quickly
2Productivity
If redox reactions are used to melt paraffin deposits, then the wax melts quickly, but the reactions are self-accelerating and kinetically unpredictable or explosive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction type from redox to exothermic hydrocarbon reaction, maintaining the heat generation capability while improving kinetic predictability and safety by using well-understood hydrocarbon combustion chemistry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydrocarbon fuels that are inexpensive and can be completely consumed in the exothermic reaction, providing predictable energy release without the self-acceleration problems of redox reactions
3Ease of manufacture
If water is used to deliver reactants for melting deposits, then the reaction can proceed, but the dispersed deposits must be disposed of expensively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydrocarbon-based reactants and an inert or hydrocarbon-rich environment instead of water, allowing deposit melting and dispersal without creating water-contaminated waste that requires expensive disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of hydrocarbon waste into a benefit by using the hydrocarbon reaction products as useful fuel or byproducts that can be disposed of more easily than water-contaminated waste
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
The method effectively generates high temperatures to melt and dissolve deposits, providing a faster and more efficient removal process compared to existing techniques, with the potential for all-organic solvent and dispersant packages that can be easily disposed of in sales oil, reducing environmental impact and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the deposit with heat and/or a reaction product of an exothermic reaction of a solvent and an acid
Implementation Method 2
melts the deposit and dissolves the deposit
Implementation Method 3
at least partially removing the deposits by the action of a combination of heat generated by the exothermic reaction and/or one or more chemical properties of one of the components
Data Source
AI summary
Generating heat within a combination solvent/acid system removes undesirable deposits from petroleum reservoir formations (especially the near well-bore region), oilfield equipment, and petroleum processing equipment. An exothermic reaction occurs between the solvent and the acid and the heat evolved helps remove organic solid deposits. The acids may include organic acid compounds, such as sulfonic acids, sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The solvents may include terpene- and terpene-derivative-containing solvents, including, but not necessarily limited to, limonene, pinene, dipentene, myrcene, turpentines and compounds having at least one double bond, such as methyl furan, dienes, styrene, vinyl acetate and the like. The exothermic reaction produces a great amount of heat, and together with using certain acids and solvents already known as effective to remove paraffin and asphaltene deposition, removing such deposits is improved.