The effects of magnetic fields on precipitates obtained from fluids that have been passed through the fields are studied for some potentially scale forming materials. The effect of the field is shown to vary with the material and with the method used to achieve precipitation. The changes that can be observed include changes in particle size, crystal morphology, crystal phase, solubility and rate of precipitation. Results from both laboratory and industrial case studies are presented. The data are interpreted in terms of the interaction between the applied magnetic field and the highly charged crystallisation nuclei being the major effect responsible for the changes.

Keywords:
particle size, remediation of hydrates, precipitation, paraffin remediation, scale formation, magnetic unit, wax remediation, nucleation, magnetic field, scale inhibition
Subjects:
Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Inhibition and remediation of hydrates, scale, paraffin / wax and asphaltene
Copyright 1987, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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