Application of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle (SPM-NP) Heating in Wax Removal during Crude Oil Pipeline Pigging

Hanqing Zhang, Huiyuan Li, Weidong Li (), Jianguang Wang, Wenda Wang (), Yongjuan Zhang, Lin Teng, Pengbo Yin and Xin Huang
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Hanqing Zhang: College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Huiyuan Li: CNPC Research Institute of Safety Environment Technology, Beijing 102206, China
Weidong Li: College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Jianguang Wang: Fujian Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute, Fuzhou 350008, China
Wenda Wang: PetroChina Marketing Company, Beijing 100007, China
Yongjuan Zhang: CNPC Research Institute of Safety Environment Technology, Beijing 102206, China
Lin Teng: College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Pengbo Yin: College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Xin Huang: College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-14

Abstract: Mechanical pigging is a major wax removal technique in crude oil pipeline transportation. To lower the risk of pig stalling accidents in pigging, a superparamagnetic nanoparticle (SPM-NP) pigging system that consists of an electromagnetic pig and nanopaint is designed to soften the wax deposit and reduce the wax resistive force. During pigging, the induction coil on the pig generates an alternating magnetic field, which induces heat production of the nanopaint on the pipe wall. The COMSOL software is used to simulate the temperature distribution of the wax layer. Yield stress measurements reveal that the wax layer yield stress is nearly linearly correlated to temperature. Compared with a regular pig, the SPM-NP pigging system reduces the wax resistive force by up to 20~40%, with an acceptable electrical current intensity of about 20 A in the given cases. Multiple factors affecting the wax layer temperature were analyzed. SPM-NP heating could be a promising technique for wax remediation and hydrate prevention.

Keywords: pipeline pigging; pig stalling; wax resistive force; superparamagnetic nanoparticle; heating (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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