US2317038A - Paraffin solvent - Google Patents

Description

Patented Apr. 29, 1943 PABAEFIN SOLVENT William H. Ellinger, Smith, N. Mex.

No Drawing. Application April 25, 1941, Serial No. 390,426

Claims.

The present invention relates to a composition of matter and method for removing paraffin, and more particularly for removing paraffin from the tubing of an oil well or gas well. 7

It is an object of this invention, to provide a combination of water, kerosene, and bentonite,

which may be applied to the well tubing to aid in the removal of parailin.

It i another object of this invention, to provide a particular method of inserting said composition into the tubing to cause the removal of the paraflin.

In the past, various parafiin'solvents have been used such as kerosene, and other hydrocarbon derivatives. The use of kerosene in association with'spent fullers earth has been suggested for a nonaqueous drilling, fluid in which the earth performs a weighting action to prevent blowouts. Also, the use of a water and a heavy oil emulsion with a bentonite clay to increase the viscosity of the emulsion is taught in the patented art. However, these last two types of material are used in a manner not suggestive of this invention nor could they coact with the paraffin to accomplish Water Qallnne 25 Bentonite pound 1 Kerosene r quart 1 The bentonite and kerosene are thoroughly mixed by agitation and the water is added in the well.

In the preferred method of using the mixtur of this invention, approximately 10 gallons of water which has been heated to 212 F. is forced into the tubing and then a mixture of /2 pound of bentonite and 1 pint of kerosene is forcedinto the tubing. These steps are repeated, and thus an additional 10 gallons of hot water and another /2 pound of bentonite and 1 pint of kerosene are placed in the tubing. The remaining 5 gallons of water may then be forced into the well and the mixture'is permitted to remain in the tubing for approximately thirty minutes.

.The total amount of the material to be used in one well will of course be determined by the amount of paraffin to be removed. However, the

'above named proportions should be followed in the preferred form of practicing the invention.

The hot water and kerosene both act-upon the paraiiln to soften the same and put it in a condition whereby it will more readily intermix with the bentonite. It has been found that the paraiiln so conditioned will combine with the ac? tive bentonite clay to form a particularly slick resultant mixture a portion of which coats the walls of the tubing and enables the paraiiin to be more readily removed. By "slick" is meant the property of the bentonite in acting upon the paramn to change it from a hard congealed mass to a removable condition which may be described as somewhat similar to the condition of ice cream which clings to the paddle of the home freezer or a cake batter, whereby the oily reaction product of bentonite and paraffin as distinguished from a solution has a suiiicient body-like character that it can be removed completely because ofits imparted stability. After the bentonite has been thoroughly intermixed with the paraflin such as will result from the thirty minute period suggested above, the mixture is removed from the well by the pressure from within.

While it is most desirable that the preferred method of applying the herein disclosed paraffin removing composition be followed, it is possible that variations therein may be made to obtain certain of the new results of the present invention. The kerosene and bentonite alone could be used to soften the paramn and intermix therewith to provide the slick lubricating mixture which permits the paraiiln to be more easily removed. Further, the heating step. which aids in making the paraflin more readily available for intermixture with the kerosene and bentonite. could be used, omitting the kerosene. But each of these changes would necessitate a longer period of association between the paraffin and the bentonite and are not therefore as useful as the preferred example of the invention.

Variations in the quantities of the suggested ingredients may be made, but it has been found that the above proportions are most suitable. If insumcient bentonite is used, the lubricating qualities of the resulting paraflin mixture are not as good as with the preferred quantity named above, thus the paraflin cannot be so easily removed. It has been found that approximately 1 quart of kerosene to 1 pound of bentonite provides the proper softening of the paraffin to enable the bentonite to most efliciently intermix with the 2. The method in accordance with claim 1 m, wherein the paraflin is softened with kerosene. The quantity of water is not particularly oriti- 3. The method in accordance with claim 1 cal, but an excess should be provided to suiwherein th paraflin is softened with. hot water. nciently heat the paramn and to provide a liquid 5 4. The method in accordance with claim 1 phase for more readily eii'ecting a mixture 01' the wherein the paraflin is softened with kerosene other ingredients with the paramn. and hot water. h

, Iclaim: 5. The method in accordance with claim 1 1. The method oi'removing 'paraflin from a wherein the mixing of the bentonite with the tubing wall comprising softening the paraflin and 10 paraflin takes place while the paramn is in sofsubjecting the same to contact vwith hentonite', tened condition.- permitting the bentonite to mix with the paramn, WILLIAM H. EILINGER. and thereafter removing the mixture from the tubing.