Using Nano-Materials to Change Metal Surface Characteristics and Slow the Buildup of Paraffins, Asphaltenes and Other Oil-Based Contaminants

Paraffin buildup is a fact of life in many oil and gas production fields. When downhole reservoirs lose pressure or temperature, paraffin precipitates and builds up on everything from pipe to valves to instrumentation to the walls in vessels. This buildup slows the process, constricts lines, and clogs instruments. Chemical treatments to keep paraffin from precipitating out of the fluid are widely known, but expensive. In addition to treating the liquid, producers should also consider treating the devices in the flow line to resist buildup. This paper will show how using nano-material to treat surfaces of components in the flow line—such as sensitive instruments, vessels, meters, valves—can slow or stop the buildup of these contaminants. By changing the bonding energy of the surface metal, these nano surface treatments hinder the ability of contaminants to adhere to a surface. These treatments do not affect mechanical, optical, or electrical properties of the treated devices. The discussion will include technical differences between a "coating" and "surface treatment" and the impact of these differences on a flow process. The paper will highlight environments that are best suited for these nano surface treatments and the different application methods available for treating devices. Data will showcase the performance of nano surface treatments in common applications, such as Coriolis meters, turbine meters, valves, flow and level devices. Producers have seen significant extension in the functional life of these devices and achieved significant operational savings. The paper will discuss how this data applies to other applications such as vessels, chemical reactors, filters, and more. In conclusion, nano-materials offer new and novel ways to maintain flow through valves, sensitive instruments, and other critical components in a flow line. Surface treatments, using nano-materials are easily applied, have a permanent effect on the surface energy of the metal, and do not hinder the optical, mechanical, or electrical properties of treated devices. Benefits of these treatments include reduced maintenance downtime and cost, improved performance of critical instrumentation and increased reliability of flow meters and valves.