Removal of asphalt-paraffin deposits in oil pipelines by a moving source of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

A new method for removing asphalt-paraffin and gasohydrate plugs in oil pipelines with a movable source of electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic pig, is suggested. The pig melts the plug when the latter absorbs intense electromagnetic radiation and heats up. Effective melting of the dielectric plug is achieved with the source moving along the pipeline as the solid-liquid interface propagates. The time of paraffin plug removal and the dependence of this time on the radiation frequency are found with the model suggested. The efficiency of the method is estimated.