The Effect of Magnetic Radiation on Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
The deposition of paraffin wax during the pipeline transportation impedes the flow of crude oil and eventually blocks the pipelines. The hot oiling method is extensively used to control the wax deposition in the oil industry. Consequently, a huge amount of energy is consumed to heat the crude oil by hot water or electrical power every year. In order to save the energy cost, the magnetic paraffin control technology is presented and evaluated with the hot oiling method, and accordingly the effect of the magnetic radiation on the oil transportation is detailed. The experiments carried out have demonstrated that the magnetic treatment can compensate for the resistance rising of the pipeline caused by the hot water reduction. Especially, the transportation of crude oil (at the surrounding temperature of -10°C~-30°C) without any heating has been observed in the Daqing oil field under the radiation of a magnetic field of 120 mT. In addition, the effect of the length of pipelines on the performance of magnetic treatment was also investigated.
Investigations on Recovery of Apparent Viscosity of Crude Oil After Magnetic Fluid Conditioning
The reduction in viscosity of crude oil due to magnetic field and its subsequent recovery after certain time is an important method of paraffin wax deposition control. It is less energy-intensive than the commonly used heating method. Three crude oils with varying wax content were subjected to magnetic fields of strengths 1000, 3000, 6000 and 9000 gauss for one minute. Reduction in viscosity of the samples was recorded instantaneously. Thereafter the viscosity readings were taken at regular intervals of time and the trend for recovery of viscosity to its original value was observed. Investigations were performed with respect to changes in magnetic field on crude oils having different wax content. It was found that more was the initial reduction, slower was the regain of viscosity. A possible mechanism for recovery of viscosity has also been discussed. The knowledge of recovery trend would help the flow assurance engineer to predict the optimum number of pumping stations thereby conserving energy.
Solidification of levitating water in a gradient strong magnetic field
An in situ observation experiment is described for the solidification of magnetically levitating water in a hybrid magnet as the first application of magnetic levitation to crystal growth research. Some remarkable features are discussed in connection with the effects of the containerless condition and the magnetic field gradient.