System, method and apparatus for paraffin removal

Abstract

A paraffin removal system for producing oil wells may include a base and a heating tank mounted to the base. A tubular coil may be mounted inside the heating tank substantially along an axis thereof. The tubular coil may be configured to circulate fluids therethrough from a well. An electrical heating element can be mounted inside the heating tank adjacent the tubular coil. The electrical heating element can be configured to heat a liquid inside the heating tank. In addition, a chemical tank can be mounted to the base. A pump may be configured to dispense a selected amount of paraffin treatment chemical from the chemical tank to the tubular coil and circulated fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paraffin removal system for producing oil wells, comprising:
 a base;   a heating tank mounted to the base, the heating tank having an axis;   a tubular coil mounted inside the heating tank substantially along the axis, the tubular coil being configured to circulate fluids therethrough from a well;   an electrical heating element mounted inside the heating tank adjacent the tubular coil, the electrical heating element being configured to heat a liquid inside the heating tank; and   a chemical tank mounted to the base and a pump configured to dispense a selected amount of paraffin treatment chemical from the chemical tank to the tubular coil and circulated fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat for selectively controlling a temperature of the electrical heating element. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second electrical heating element, and the thermostat independently controls each of the electrical heating elements. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular coil comprises a double coil for longer retention time of the circulated fluids to treat deeper wells. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wave breaker inside the heating tank to stabilize liquid therein. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical generator mounted to the base and configured to operate the system autonomously from any other power source. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating tank is insulated. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is one of a trailer and a skid. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is electrical and is not configured to use flames. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to not form a hydrostatic head in a treated well. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to operate continuously while a well is producing. 
     
     
         12 . A paraffin removal system for producing oil wells, comprising:
 a base;   a heating tank mounted to the base, the heating tank having an axis;   a tubular coil mounted inside the heating tank substantially along the axis, the tubular coil being configured to circulate fluids therethrough from a well;   an electrical heating element mounted inside the heating tank adjacent the tubular coil, the electrical heating element being configured to heat a liquid inside the heating tank;   a thermostat for selectively controlling a temperature of the electrical heating element, and the system is not configured to use flames; and   a chemical tank mounted to the base and a pump configured to dispense a selected amount of paraffin treatment chemical from the chemical tank to the tubular coil and circulated fluid.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second electrical heating element, and the thermostat independently controls each of the electrical heating elements. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular coil comprises a double coil for longer retention time of the circulated fluids to treat deeper wells. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one wave breaker inside the heating tank to stabilize liquid therein. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising an electrical generator mounted to the base and configured to operate the system autonomously from any other power source. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the base is one of a trailer and a skid, and the heating tank is insulated. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to not form a hydrostatic head in a treated well. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to operate continuously while a well is producing.