Paraffin and Asphaltene Control
WESTHAVEN CANADA manufactures and markets a series of chemicals for inhibiting, dispersing, and dissolving paraffins, asphaltenes, and waxes encountered in crude oils and other hydrocarbons. While many chlorinated hydrocarbons are excellent paraffin dissolvers they are also very detrimental to refinery catalyst systems. Therefore, WESTHAVEN has NO chlorinated or halaginated hydrocarbons in any products. In fact, extreme care is taken to ensure that NO chlorinated hydrocarbons are present even as fugitive contaminants.
PARAFFIN DISPERSANTS and WETTING AGENTS loosen and wash away paraffin/wax deposits, mainly by disturbing the paraffin or wax matrix thereby allowing the deposit to be broken up. This residue can then flow or wash away from the point of deposition. Dispersants can be particularly effective in preventing and/or in the cleaning up of paraffin-stabilized bad tank bottoms. This is usually accomplished by allowing the paraffin/wax to be oil wetted thereby allowing the release of entrapped water. Dispersants are available both as oil and water soluble versions for tank or well treating.
PARAFFIN INHIBITORS prevent the deposition of paraffin, waxes and asphaltenes by interfering with the crystallization mechanisms of these high molecular weight molecules. Their function is to PREVENT the deposition of paraffin in producing systems. The proper use of paraffin inhibitors will eliminate the need of “hot-oiling” to remove paraffin deposits and paraffinic tank bottoms. Note that it is very important that the inhibitor be injected ahead of the point where crystal formation occurs. This can be achieved in certain cases by injecting chemical down the annulus of producing wells or by using a “spaghetti string” down the tubing to ensure the chemical reaches the producing area.
POUR POINT DEPRESSANTS are specific chemicals designed to significantly lower the pour point (the temperature at which the crude becomes unpumpable) of crude oil to prevent it from plugging flow lines, separators, gun barrels, etc., and maintaining fluidity during bulk transporting and handling. They function mainly by crystal deformation. Since they function at concentrations of 500 ppm or more, they are usually used only on crudes having extremely high paraffinic content.
The correct method of application is often as important as the proper chemical. Extreme care should always be exercised to avoid treating with too much chemical too quickly, as in some cases an overdosage can be detrimental to the chemical’s performance. Rather, an incremental dosage program should be established to first clean up the system. Then the optimum cost-effective treatment program can be determined to maintain control of the paraffin problem. In some cases where oil volumes are low (e.g. less than 50 bopd) paraffin inhibitors can provide an effective life of 3 to 6 months.