Viscosity-reduction mechanism of waxy crude oil in low-intensity magnetic field

Magnetic technology of crude oil is a physical flow improvement method. Previous researches mostly focused on treating crude oil under strong magnetic field. The aim of this research is to study the viscosity-reduction mechanism of high-paraffin petroleum in the action of magnetic field, which is in low intensity (<= 100 mT) and under magnetic stirring for long time. The morphology and structure of wax crystals were observed using polarizing microscope. Under our experiment conditions, magnetic orientation and disaggregation of wax crystals are found to be the microscopic mechanism of magnetization. Magnetic treatment can interfere with the waxy microcluster connection, thereby reducing viscosity, and characteristic temperature including wax appearance temperatures and the abnormal temperature. Crude oil viscosity could be reduced by 82% under the optimum magnetization parameters. This research can lay the theoretical foundation for technical creation of petroleum transport by magnetic technology.

Automated summary

This study investigates the viscosity-reduction mechanism of high-paraffin petroleum under low-intensity and long-term magnetic stirring. The research finds that magnetic orientation and disaggregation of wax crystals are the microscopic mechanism of magnetization, which can reduce viscosity. This study lays the theoretical foundation for the technical application of magnetic technology in petroleum transportation.