Automated System Evaluates Scale Inhibitors Under High-Pressure and Temperature Conditions

The Model 5400 Dynamic Scale Deposition Loop from Chandler Engineering (USA) is a fully automated system that measures and evaluates the performance of scale inhibitors under the high-pressure and high-temperature conditions found in oil production.

The system pumps precisely heated oil samples at known rates through a tubing test section, while continuously measuring the differential. An increase in differential pressure serves as an indication of scale formation, and the test is completed once that differential pressure reaches an adjustable threshold value.

The system features a highly precise, forced air convection oven, removable sample and pre-heat tube assembly, external pH electrode with sample, and Hastealloy C276 sample tubing and fittings inside the oven. Its hardware includes two manual set-point back pressure regulators (high or low range) that are used to create the sample pressure inside the test section during pumping. Two high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pumps are used to transport the fluids through the tubing, both with switching valves (6-port) for various anion, cation, scale inhibitor or cleaning fluids.

The system’s proprietary software is designed for ease of use and is powerful enough to collect and calculate all of the acquired data over the completed test cycle.  The software allows operators to control the overflow rate, test time, fluid selection and temperature of each individual test.  All data and test parameters are stored in a test-specific .CSV file for analysis.

Chandler Engineering is a leader in oil well cementing, viscosity, reservoir analysis and high-pressure high-temperature instruments. It focuses on serving the upstream oil and gas markets in exploration and production. Its products are used for oil well cementing, viscosity measurement, reservoir analysis and other applications such as pipeline transmission. Chandler Engineering is part of the AMETEK Oil & Gas Business Unit.