WO2010042088A1

WO2010042088A1 - Radial flux generator for the treatment of fluids

Info

Publication number: WO2010042088A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/011575
Authority: WO
Inventors: James S. Tolin; John T. Hale; David F. Barnhardt; Anthony J. Persuitte; James Odell Therrell; Jeremy Jacobs; Scott Peter Persuitte
Original assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL Inc
Current assignee: ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL Inc
Priority date: 2008-10-08
Filing date: 2008-10-08
Publication date: 2010-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-08

Abstract

A magnetic apparatus, system and method which uses a generally cylindrically shaped magnet having a longitudinal axis intended to be aligned generally parallel to the flow of a fluid to be treated. Each magnet comprises a pair of arcuate halves with poles on respective radially outward and radially inwardly facing surfaces. Each magnet generates or is characterized by lines of magnetic flux which are oriented radially inwardly or outwardly and which are oriented substantially transversely to the flow of the fluid being treated.

Description

RADIAL FLUX GENERATOR FOR THE TREATMENT OF FLUIDS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating fluids by a magnetic field. In one preferred embodiment the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling and reducing or eliminating the deposition and buildup of paraffin, salts and other scale sediments on the inside of the production tubing and rod string or other petrochemical flow transmission lines. In another preferred embodiment the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling and reducing or eliminating the deposition and buildup of salts and other scales or sediments in tanks or pipes used to store or transport aqueous solutions.

Background of the Invention

While it is well known that magnetic fields can affect the physical properties of fluids such as crude oil and water, there remains a need for more effective systems and methods for using magnetic force to treat these fluids. For example, the use of magnetic forces in petrochemical flow transmission lines or in production tubing and rod strings to reduce paraffin and scale build up has given way to techniques using chemicals or steam. These conventional approaches are more predominant than magnetic approaches.

However, paraffin and/or scale build up remains an expensive and troublesome problem in many oil wells and petrochemical transmission lines and there remains a need for improved approaches to the problems associated with the buildup of corrosion, paraffin and/or scale. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for reducing or eliminating the deposition and build up of corrosion, paraffin and/or scale in the production tubing and rod string or petrochemical transmission lines. Furthermore, the present invention is widely applicable to the treatment of other fluids such as water to reduce or eliminate the buildup of corrosion, salts or and/or scale in water tanks or transmission lines. These and other advantages of the present invention will be understood further from the following description of this invention taken in conjunction with the claims appended hereto and the accompanying drawings.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is a magnetic apparatus, system and method which uses a generally cylindrically shaped magnet having a longitudinal axis intended to be aligned generally parallel to the flow of a fluid to be treated. Each magnet comprises a pair of arcuate halves with poles on respective radially outward and radially inwardly facing surfaces. Each magnet generates or is characterized by lines of magnetic flux which are oriented radially inwardly or outwardly and which are oriented substantially transversely to the flow of the fluid being treated. Each cylindrically shaped magnet is referred to herein as a "radial (magnetic) flux generator" or "RFG." Each RFG can be coaxially located and attached to a longitudinally extending rod to treat fluid flowing longitudinally along a path that is located radially outwardly with respect to the RFG or can be coaxially located within a longitudinally extending tube to treat fluid flowing longitudinally along a path located radially inwardly with respect to the RFG. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided using a plurality of RFGs in association with the rod string of an oil well. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided using a plurality of RFGs in association with a water treatment system.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, a fluid is treated by causing the fluid to pass through the magnetic flux field of one or more RFGs. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, crude oil is caused to pass through the magnetic flux of RFGs positioned on a rod string of an oil well. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, water is caused to pass through the magnetic flux of one or more RFGs. It is an advantage of the apparatus of this invention, that, in use, fluid can be caused to flow through the magnetic flux field of a stationary RFG or a moving RFG can be caused to move its flux field through a stationary fluid or both fluid and RFG can be moving simultaneously. It is another advantage of the present invention that a powerful flux field can be generated with the required volume of fluid flow by a cylindrical magnetic device which is shaped to be well suited for use in pipes, lines or the like without mechanically interfering with fluid flow therepast.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic view in elevation and partly in section, showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an oil well with production tubing and rod string; Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of an RFG of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a somewhat schematic view in elevation and partly in section, showing more detail of sections A, B and C shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Figure 2 and showing two halves of a preferred embodiment of an RFG of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the RFG of Figure 2, broken away and showing radially extending lines of flux; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the two halves of a preferred embodiment of an RFG of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Now referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a magnetic treatment system of the present invention is illustrated in use in a typical oil well and indicated generally by the numeral 10. Magnetic treatment system 10 is shown in conjunction with an otherwise typical oil pumping station which has an above ground Sampson post 12, with a saddle bearing 14 which supports walking beam 16 with horse head 18 for upward and downward movement of polish rod 20 which is connected to sucker rod 22 coaxially located in production tube 24.

The upper section of sucker rod 22 includes a plurality of RFGs indicated by numeral 26,

While two RFGs 26 are illustrated, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a plurality of RFGs are contemplated to be used herein and, for example, more than 30 RFGs may be used on sucker rod 22. The exact number of RFGs to be employed depends upon many factors, it being sufficient to employ a sufficient number of RFGs to obtain the desired result. RFG 26 has threaded ends 27 and 28 which are adapted to be threadably secured in appropriate coupling elements for attachment to another RFG or to another rod. Each RFG is sized to fit within a conventional production tube and can be sized to simply replace the rods otherwise used therein. Each RFG 26 has a pair of semi-cylindrical magnets 29 and 30 which are secured coaxially about a central steel rod 31. Each RFG 26 has lines of magnetic flux radiating radially outwardly therefrom to magnetically treat fluid passing between RFG 26 and production tube 24. A wire 25 or other electrical conductor is connected between rod string 22 and production tube 24. Further understanding of the lines of flux and the generation of electrical energy which occurs when oil or other fluid flows through the lines of flux can be had from the following.

The RFG is a complex magnet assembly using two separate and individual pole pieces.

The pieces are configured in a semi-circular fashion, preferably made in equal lengths. The pieces can be made of neodynium magnets. Each of the faces of the pieces is charged with one magnetic orientation, either North or South. When the magnetic pieces are coupled together they form a complete magnetic array. It is important to understand that the magnetic poles are charged primarily on their radially inward and outwardly facing rather than their longitudinal ends. The magnetic flux lines radiate primarily from their radially facing surfaces.

When the completed magnetic array is assembled around a ferrous metal rod, such as a sucker rod string in an oil well, it becomes one form of a radial flux generator. This type of device will cause a flux field to be created in a radial fashion. The flux field will encompass an area for the length of the magnetic pieces and for 360 degrees around it. Another type of device has the two halves of the magnetic array assembled to form a central longitudinally extending bore through which fluid can be flowed and magnetically treated. All fluid traversing the field will be conditioned magnetically. The advantage of using these RPGs in a moving fluid environment is that the fluid passing through the RFG is highly magnetically conditioned because of the magneto hydrodynamic efficiency of the devices.

The lower end of sucker rod 22 carries pump 32 which is connected to inlet pipe section A which is connected to inlet pipe section C which is connected to inlet pipe section B as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 and is described in more detail below. A valve seat 34 is located between pump 32 and pipe section A.

Now referring to figure 3, pipe section A includes is an inlet pipe assembly having a NPT fitting 36 at one end thereof. Pipe section A has RFG 38 which is coaxially secured on the radially outward surface of feed tube 40 through which fluid is to be pumped. An outer protective shield 42 is outwardly coaxially secured about RFG 38. Inlet fitting 44 is attached to the lower end of inlet pipe section A, has inlet passages 46 therein to allow flow of crude oil into feed tube 40, and has cavity 47 with magnet 49 therein to afford additional magnetic protection for inlet passage 46..

As is best shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, RFG 38 comprises two halves, 48 and 50.

Magnetic half 48 has arcuate inner and outer faces 52 and 54 while magnetic half 50 has arcuate inner and outer faces 56 and 58. Magnetic halves 48 and 50 are secured together by magnetic attraction or can be further secured by adhesive. Magnetic halves 48 and 50 can be encased in a protective sleeve if desired. Magnetic half 48 has South pole 60 and North pole 62 while magnetic half 50 has South pole 64 and North pole 66. Magnetic flux lines 68 illustrate the magnetic force generated by RFG 38.

Pipe section B has a threaded male end 70, RFG 72 covered by outer shield 74, and is coaxially attached to inner core steel rod 76 with a conical fitting 80 at the lower end thereof. RFG 72 is adapted to have lines of magnetic flux radiate outwardly therefrom to magnetically treat fluid flowing in a longitudinal path which is located radially outwardly from RFG 72. Pipe section C is disposed and attached between sections A and B. Pipe section C has threaded male end 82 and internally threaded female end 84 for securement between sections A and B. Pipe section C has RFG 84 with outer shield 86 and an inner core 88. RFG 84 is of a construction analogous to that of RFG 72.

In operation, the rod string operates dynamically while the inlet pipe system operates statically below the working barrel when fluid is flowing by the outside of sections B and C. The fluid is preconditioned through a magnetic field upon entering the inlet flow device of section A. The fluid is now oscillating as well as having been conditioned with opposite magnetic field effect thus containing contaminants in solution as the fluid moves through the pumping mechanism protecting the pump from fouling.

During operation, electrical potential is generated by passage of crude oil through the magnetic fields. This potential is utilized to further reduce corrosion in the well by electrically connecting the rod string to the production tube

While it is not wished to be limited by any theory, it is believed that the advantageous results of the present invention are obtained by means of electromotive forces produced when the radial flux generators are subjected to fluids in movement with respect to the RFG. An electrical circuit is completed by placing the rod string and the production tube in electrical communication with each other as by, for example, connecting an electrical conductor therebetween. In this circuit, the rod string and production tube are electrically common and are the negative electrode. Fluid in motion cuts the flux and generates measurable electric power. The fluid is the positive electrode. The positive conductor is moving between the rod string and the production tube. Since opposites attract, the contaminants and scaling properties are attracted to the moving positive force and repelled from the negative surfaces of the rods and tube. Electrolytic corrosion is created by differences in the electromotive force potential between metals and through stray currents, Eliminating stray currents is a way of controlling this type of corrosion. This circuit device eliminates stray current discharges. This circuit device will help assist the RFGs on the rod string to clean up the existing contamination, both organic and inorganic, on the interior tubing walls as well as preventing electrolysis and the recontamination of the well, while polarizing the fluid being pumped.

Applicant has disclosed preferred embodiments of the present invention in the above disclosure. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is subject to variation and modification within the broad spirit of the present invention and such variations and modifications are considered within the scope of this invention which is intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for treating fluids magnetically, the apparatus comprising at least one cylindrically shaped magnet having a pair of arcuate faces radially opposite each other, one of said faces characterized by a magnetic North pole and the other of said faces characterized by a magnetic South pole.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cylindrically shaped magnet has a longitudinal axis and is positioned in a container having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said magnet.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said pair of arcuate faces are facing radially outwardly with respect to each other.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said pair of arcuate faces are facing radially inwardly with respect to each other.

5. A system for treating fluids magnetically comprising a plurality of cylindrically shaped magnets having a pair of arcuate faces radially opposite each other, one of said faces characterized by a magnetic North pole and the other of said faces characterized by a magnetic South pole, said magnets being positioned along a flow path of a fluid to be treated

6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said flow path is positioned radially outwardly from said magnets.

7. A system as in claim 5 wherein said flow path is positioned radially inwardly with respect to said magnets.

8. A system as in claim 5 wherein said a portion of said flow path is positioned radially outwardly with respect to said magnets and a portion of said flow path is positioned radially inwardly with respect to said magnets.

9. The method of treating a petrochemical fluid comprising the step of flowing said fluid through a magnetic flux field of a cylindrically shaped magnet having a pair of arcuate faces radially opposite each other, one of said faces characterized by a magnetic North pole and the other of said faces characterized by a magnetic South pole.

10. A method of creating a measurable electrical electrical current for use controlling build up of unwanted deposits in flow transmission lines, comprising the step of sequentially passing a fluid through magnetic fields of a plurality of cylindrically shaped magnets, each of said magnets having a pair of arcuate faces radially opposite each other, one of said faces characterized by a magnetic North pole and the other of said faces characterized by a magnetic South pole.