Rotatable Reservoir Wax Deposition Testing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bench-top tests for wax deposition in pipelines are inadequate for predicting inhibitor performance under real-world conditions due to inability to replicate field operating parameters such as temperature differences, heat flux, and shear rates, and lack of turbulent flow simulation.
Innovation Solution
A testing apparatus featuring a rotatable second reservoir submerged in a first fluid, allowing for temperature control and simulation of both laminar and turbulent flow conditions, with adjustable rotation speed to mimic pipeline conditions and assess wax inhibitor effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bench top tests such as cold finger tests are used to screen inhibitor chemicals, then qualitative chemical performance can be gauged, but quantitative prediction of field performance cannot be achieved because operating parameters such as temperature difference, heat flux, and shear rates cannot be reproduced simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables independent control and adjustment of multiple critical parameters including temperature difference between reservoirs, heat flux through the cold finger, and shear rates via rotational speed control. This allows simultaneous reproduction of field operating conditions that were previously impossible in bench top testing, thereby achieving both quantitative prediction accuracy and adaptability to field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static bench top tests to dynamic testing by incorporating rotational movement of the cold finger apparatus. The rotation speed can be varied to simulate different shear rates and flow conditions, enabling the apparatus to adapt to various field operating scenarios while maintaining quantitative measurement capabilities.
2Reliability
If electrochemical cells based on laminar flow are used, then well defined analytical solutions for flow field and concentration gradients are available, but turbulent flow field conditions cannot be simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables transition from laminar to turbulent flow regime simulation by controlling the rotational speed of the cold finger. At lower speeds, laminar flow conditions prevail with available analytical solutions; at higher speeds, turbulent flow conditions are achieved, matching field conditions. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between having reliable analytical solutions and simulating realistic turbulent flow.
Solution Approach 2:
By varying the rotational speed parameter, the system can transition between different flow regimes. This parameter control allows the apparatus to maintain reliability through connection to analytical solutions when needed, while also achieving adaptability to simulate turbulent flow conditions that occur in actual pipeline operations.
3Measurement precision
If the second reservoir is made smaller relative to the first reservoir, then the apparatus can better simulate pipeline conditions with appropriate dimensionless numbers, but the volume of fluid available for testing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses a small second reservoir (cold finger) submerged in a larger first reservoir, creating localized testing conditions that match pipeline dimensionless numbers while the larger first reservoir provides sufficient fluid volume for extended testing. The local geometry of the second reservoir is optimized for accurate dimensionless number matching, while the overall system configuration preserves adequate fluid quantity.
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
Enables quantitative prediction of wax inhibitor performance under realistic field conditions, effectively evaluating inhibitor efficiency by simulating variable shear stresses and flow regimes, thereby improving the accuracy of scale/wax deposition testing.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting a temperature T2 of the second fluid to be less than a temperature T1 of the first fluid
Implementation Method 2
rotating the second reservoir at a given speed
Implementation Method 3
simulation of variable shear stresses and flow regimes
Implementation Method 4
wax precipitate from the first fluid is deposited thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A test apparatus for qualifying compositions used to reduce scale deposition in fluid, e.g., wax deposition in crude oil, is disclosed. The test apparatus includes a first reservoir capable of holding a first fluid, and a second rotatable reservoir disposed within the first reservoir, the second reservoir capable of holding a second fluid. The apparatus includes a fluid inlet through which the second fluid enters the second reservoir, and a fluid outlet through which the second fluid exits the second reservoir, wherein a bottom surface of the second rotatable reservoir is configured to be at least partially submerged in the first fluid so that precipitate from the first fluid can be deposited thereon.