Systems for determining and imaging wax deposition and simultaneous corrosion and wax deposit determination in pipelines

Abstract

The systems for determining and imaging wax deposition and simultaneous corrosion and wax deposit determination in pipelines relate to systems for determining wax deposition and corrosion by one or both of two techniques. In both techniques, a source of neutron radiation is directed at the pipeline. In one technique, a neutron detector surrounded by an absorption shield defining a collimation window counts neutrons reflected back to the detector by back diffusion or backscatter radiation. In the other technique, a gamma ray detector measures gamma rays emitted when the emitted neutrons are absorbed in the pipeline. A neutron moderator-reflector is placed around three sides of the pipeline to increase the likelihood of neutron capture.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in pipelines by neutron capture gamma rays, comprising:
 a neutron radiation source for emitting neutrons towards a pipeline;   a germanium gamma ray detector configured to detect gamma rays emitted by absorption of the emitted neutrons in the pipeline;   a gamma shield separating the neutron radiation source from the germanium gamma ray detector;   
       a neutron moderator-reflector configured for surrounding the pipeline on three sides to increase the likelihood of neutron capture in the pipeline; and
 means for counting gamma rays impinging upon the germanium gamma ray detector. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 12 , further comprising means for calibrating the system before the system is used to determine wax deposition and corrosion in the pipeline. 
     
     
         14 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 12 , wherein the gamma shield separating the neutron radiation source from the germanium gamma ray detector is selected from the group consisting of lead and tungsten. 
     
     
         15 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 12 , further comprising a neutron moderator surrounding the neutron radiation source. 
     
     
         16 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 15 , wherein the neutron moderator surrounding the neutron radiation source comprises a layer of paraffin. 
     
     
         17 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 15 , wherein the neutron moderator surrounding the neutron radiation source comprises a layer of polyethylene. 
     
     
         18 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 12 , wherein the neutron radiation source is selected from the group consisting of  241 Am—Be and  252 Cf. 
     
     
         19 . The system for simultaneous determination of wax deposition and corrosion in a pipeline according to  claim 12 , wherein said neutron moderator-reflector comprises a vessel containing water.