Abstract
One of the most discussed topics related to the effects of external magnetic fields (MF) on aqueous solutions is the influence on the scale formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). However, the extent of the effect of these forces on the scale formation in the non-aqueous solutions has not been investigated so far. So MFs will be applied to non-aqueous mixtures to find out the behavior of scale formation. This study presents the results of inorganic scale formation within MEG solutions containing Ca2+ and HCO3− ions, which has been investigated using both static and dynamic scale loop (DSL) evaluation techniques. Furthermore, the influence of MFs on scale formation using the dynamic technique has also been studied. Results were generated using brine/MEG solutions exposed to an external MF produced by a 0.65 T Neodymium magnet for 2.5 s. The degree of scale formation was examined by measuring the pressure build-up across a capillary coil as scale was developed. Moreover, differences in CaCO3 morphologies were evaluated for the exposed and blank trials via the DSL technique and compared with the results obtained from the static scale evaluation method.The results of this research have demonstrated that the short exposure (2.5 s) to a powerful MF can significantly reduce scale-formation in the rich MEG solutions within the capillary coil. This is due to the alteration of the proton spin inversion in the field of diamagnetic salts. Furthermore, a significant difference in CaCO3 morphology was observed for the scale formed during dynamic and static conditions. The generating results help to reduce the use of chemical scale inhibitors with MEG solution during the gas hydrate treatments, especially when the concentration of MEG in formation water is low and scale formation is more likely to occur.
Highlights
Calcium carbonate is a common mineral scale experienced in a wide range of industries including water treatment[1,2], paper mill industries[3], cooling water systems[4], natural gas transportation pipelines and MEG regeneration systems following the breakthrough of formation water[5,6]
The trails exposed to the magnetic fields (MF) and corresponding blank tests have been plotted in Figure 4 with respect to the change in ∆P across the capillary coil with time
A consistent sharp rise in ∆P across the capillary coil was observed for trials exposed to the MFs, whilst in comparison, a more gradual rise in ∆P followed by a sharp increase which occurred during blank tests
Summary
Calcium carbonate is a common mineral scale experienced in a wide range of industries including water treatment[1,2], paper mill industries[3], cooling water systems[4], natural gas transportation pipelines and MEG regeneration systems following the breakthrough of formation water[5,6]. Et al 9 reported that CaCO3 crystals are formed in three anhydrous polymorphs: calcite, aragonite, and vaterite. Calcite is known as the most stable form of CaCO3 crystal while aragonite and vaterite exhibit poor thermodynamic stability with the potential to convert to calcite after readjustment of certain conditions including fluid pH, temperature, supersaturation, and the presence of additives[9, 13]. Hu, et al 13 reported that at pH 9.0, the anhydrous polymorph (vaterite) is more likely to form compared to the hydrated polymorphs of CaCO3 such as monohydrate and hexahydrate (ikaite), which forms at high pH conditions of approximately 13.4 and greater within low temperature[13]. In the presence of phosphate additives, the ikaite polymorph is more likely to precipitate at pH 913
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