What is paraffin in a well?

Paraffins are high-molecular-weight alkanes (C20+) that can build up as deposits in the wellbore, in feed lines, etc. These organic deposits can act as chokes within the wellbore, resulting in a gradual decrease in production with time as the deposits increase in thickness.

What is paraffin in oil wells?

Paraffin wax is a component of crude oil that builds up and has drastic negative effects on oil production and refineries. These paraffin are alkanes with a high molecular weight which have a choking effect on crude oil wells. Over time, these build-ups of deposits cause a decrease in production capacity and ability.

How do you get paraffin wax out of oil wells?

There is a range of methods for removing paraffin wax build-ups in oil wells including:

1. Mechanical.
2. Scraping.
3. Coiled Tubing.
4. Thermal.
5. Hot Oiling.
6. Hot Water.
7. Chemical – Wax Solvents/Dispersants.
8. Combination Treatments.

What is the use of paraffin gas?

Paraffin is commonly used as a fuel for jet engines and rockets, as well as a fuel or fuel component for diesel and tractor engines. Common paraffin uses include: Paraffin wax: a white or colourless soft solid used as a lubricant, candles, crayons, electrical insulation and petroleum jelly.

Is paraffin flammable?

Paraffin-based emollients are not themselves flammable. Clothing, bedding or medical dressings covered in paraffin-based emollients are at risk of catching fire and are the main hazard.

What causes paraffin?

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft, solid wax. It’s made from saturated hydrocarbons. It’s often used in skin-softening salon and spa treatments on the hands, cuticles, and feet because it’s colorless, tasteless, and odorless.

What is paraffin solvent?

Paraffins and Asphaltenes. Paraffins and Asphaltenes is a highly ef fect ive aromat i c solvent and solvent-surfactant blends designed to be applied full strength or diluted with light hydrocarbons for dissolving asphaltenes, paraffin’s, and heavy hydrocarbon residues.

What removes paraffin wax?

Removing paraffin wax takes a gentle but effective solvent, such as C-Tec’s Multisolve. Multisolve is ideal for cleaning and removing paraffin wax. It will remove the waxy substance in just a few minutes and will not leave any residue behind.

How do you remove wax from a pipeline?

Scrapers may be attached to wireline units, or they may be attached to sucker rods to remove wax as the well is pumped. Deposits in surface pipelines can be removed by forcing soluble or insoluble pigs through the lines. Soluble pigs may be composed of naphthalene or microcrystalline wax.

Is paraffin same as kerosene?

Paraffin tends to be a more refined and distilled version of kerosene. This makes it more suitable for use within the home. Paraffin is more refined, which ensures that it will produce a lot less soot when it’s burnt.

Does paraffin explode?

Yes, highly-flammable paraffin wax generally ignites at the following temperatures, depending upon its melting point, and the hardeners you mix into it: Paraffin wax without additives: 199°C (390.2°F).

Is paraffin hazardous?

Inhalation: Low hazard. Paraffin wax fumes may be irritating to the eyes nose and throat. and may also produce nausea. ‘However, vapors emitted from molten wax are expected to have a low degree of irritation by inhalation.

Is kerosene the same as paraffin?

Are paraffin fumes harmful?

Inhaling paraffin wax base causes irritation of the eyes and the respiratory tract especially for sensitive people. Also it can cause acute to severe nausea depending on the person. Paraffin wax base in contact with the skin is dangerous because it can cause serious burns.

Will gasoline dissolve paraffin wax?

Paraffin is a great waterproofing agent on its own, but it is nor- mally a solid. Gasoline is used to dissolve paraffin, so that the pasty mixture can be “painted” or spread on the tent.

How can you remove paraffin easily?

Set a hair dryer on medium heat and blow the hot air onto the wax stain. Wipe away the melting wax with towels or paper towels. Set the heat higher if necessary to melt the wax, as hair dryers run at different temperatures. Continue until the paraffin is completely gone.

What is wax in pipeline?

In the pipeline flow, wax molecules crystallize when encounter cold temperature condition of the pipe wall, particularly for the subsea pipelines. The higher thickness crystallization causes complete blockage of oil supply (Oh et al., 2009).

Can I put paraffin in my oil tank?

The important thing to remember is that whether a supplier refers to it as kerosene or paraffin, you can use it regardless in your heating system. There are some instances, however, when paraffin is used to refer to a more refined and distilled version of kerosene for use in stoves and lamp.

Is paraffin a poison?

Paraffin is the poisonous ingredient.

What makes paraffin flammable?

Paraffin wax used in candles is flammable but does not catch fire easily. As a solid, the wax needs to be heated enough to change into a gas (turns to vapor). This vapor, mixed with oxygen is what burns and sustains a fire. Paraffin wax has a flashpoint of 392 to 480 degrees Fahrenheit (200 to 249 Celsius).

Is paraffin oil hazardous?

The product is not classified as hazardous according to U.S. D.O.T. and the EU Directive 67/548/EEC.

Why are heavy paraffin deposits in oil wells undesirable?

Heavy paraffin deposits are undesirable because they reduce the effective size of the flow conduits and restrict the production rate from the well. Where severe paraffin deposition occurs, removal of the deposits by mechanical, thermal or other means is required, resulting in costly down time and increased operating costs.

How much does paraffin control cost the petroleum industry?

Paraffin control in domestic production is estimated to cost the petroleum industry multiple billions of dollars annually in lost production and maintenance expense to remove wax deposits in subsurface tubular s, and the cost to remediate above surface equipment.

How many paraffins are there in crude oil?

The troublesome paraffins are normal hydrocarbons ranging from approximately C (18)H (38) to C (38)H (78) mixed with small amounts of branched paraffins, monocyclic paraffins, polycyclic paraffins and aromatics. The amount of paraffins found in crude oils varies from less than 1 to more than 30 per cent.

What is not included in the cost of a paraffin deposit?

Not included in this cost are increased horsepower requirements, damage or increased wear to equipment and manpower attention. Crude paraffin deposits are composed of two main components; the paraffin or wax and the oil portion.