Acoustic inhibition of hydrates, scales and paraffins

Abstract

Devices and methods for inhibiting the deposition of methane or natural gas hydrates, as well as scales, paraffins and other undesirable deposits within a wellbore using acoustic energy. An acoustic inhibitor is associated with a wellbore proximate the wellhead and is used to generate a low frequency acoustic energy signal that is propagated axially through the wellbore. The acoustic inhibitor preferably comprises a magneto-restrictive element that is pulsed in accordance with a predetermined frequency to generate acoustic waves in fluid that is located within the flowbore of wellbore production tubing or in a pipeline. The tubing string or pipeline is used as a waveguide to propagate the acoustic energy axially.

1 . An acoustic inhibitor for inhibiting harmful deposits within the flowbore of a tubular member containing fluids, the acoustic inhibitor comprising: 
 a vibratory element capable of inducing an acoustic wave within the flowbore;    an actuator for operating the vibratory element at a frequency that inhibits deposits of hydrates within the flowbore.    
   
   
       2 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is from about 1000 Hz to about 2200 Hz.  
   
   
       3 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 2  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is about 1130 Hz.  
   
   
       4 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 2  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is about 2000 Hz.  
   
   
       5 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the actuator comprises a signal generator that produces a sine wave signal of particular frequency.  
   
   
       6 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 5  wherein the actuator further comprises a signal amplifier.  
   
   
       7 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory element is formed of electro-ceramic material.  
   
   
       8 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory element is formed of magnetostrictive material.  
   
   
       9 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory element is covered with a fluid-resistant membrane.  
   
   
       10 . The acoustic inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the vibratory element comprises a plurality of stacked members.  
   
   
       11 . A system for inhibiting deposits and growth of harmful deposits within a tubular member, the system comprising: 
 a vibratory element capable of inducing an acoustic wave within the flowbore, the vibratory element comprising: 
 a member fashioned from a material fro the group of materials consisting essentially of electroceramic, magnetostrictive and piezoelectric; and  
   an actuator for operating the vibratory element at a frequency that inhibits deposits of hydrates within the flowbore.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is from about 1000 Hz to about 2200 Hz.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is about 1130 Hz.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is about 2000 Hz.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the vibratory element is covered with a fluid-resistant membrane.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the vibratory element comprises a plurality of stacked members.  
   
   
       17 . A method for inhibiting deposits and growth of harmful deposits within a tubular member comprising the step of: 
 actuating a vibratory element within the flowbore of a tubular member at a frequency that is from about 1000 Hz to about 2200 Hz.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is about 1130 Hz.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the actuator operates the vibratory element at a frequency that is about 2000 Hz.