Monitoring and characterization of scale build-up by photon scattering

I. Merica,b, G. A. Johansena,b, C. C. Dantasc

aDepartment of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

bThe Michelsen Centre for Industrial Measurement Science and Technology, Christian Michelsen Research, Bergen, Norway

cDepartamento de Energia Nuclear DEN – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco UFPE, Recife – PE., Brazil

Abstract

In the petroleum industry precipitation of scale onto the inner walls of hydrocarbon pipelines poses a significant challenge as, unless treated appropriately, deposits such as sulfate and carbonate scales reduce the overall flow area and even lead to blockage of entire sections of the pipework. This may in turn result in costly production suspension and maintenance work. Therefore, monitoring and characterization of scale deposits can be said to be of great importance. In this work, Monte Carlo simulations are carried out in order to investigate the feasibility of utilizing photon scattering for scale detection in multiphase oil/water/gas pipelines.

Keywords: Scale deposition, photon scattering, Monte Carlo simulation