Thermodynamics of wax precipitation under the influence of magnetic fields

• Published in: AIChE journal Vol. 52; no. 8; pp. 2887 - 2897
• Main Authors: Cañas-Marin, W. A., Ortiz-Arango, J. D., Guerrero-Aconcha, U. E., Lira-Galeana, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.08.2006; Wiley Subscription Services; American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Chemical precipitation; Chemical thermodynamics; Chemistry; Crystallization, leaching, miscellaneous separations; Crystals; equation of state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; General. Theory; Magnetic fields; Mathematical analysis; phase equilibrium model; Thermodynamics; wax precipitation; Fugacity; equation of state; magnetic fields; Crystallization; Modeling; Wax; Magnetic susceptibility; wax precipitation; Equations of state; phase equilibrium model; Thermodynamic properties; Magnetic field; Phase equilibrium
• ISSN: 0001-1541; 1547-5905
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.10876

A thermodynamic framework is developed for calculating wax precipitation in multicomponent (nonferromagnetic) hydrocarbon mixtures under the influence of a static magnetic field. A mathematical expression was derived for calculating the compositional derivatives of the magnetic susceptibilities using an equation of state. These susceptibilities are required for calculating magneto‐chemical fugacities. The model was used to predict the effect of a static magnetic field on crystallization temperature and amount of precipitated wax for three normal‐paraffin mixtures and one synthetic gas‐condensate. Calculated results indicate that static magnetic fields increase the probability of formation of paraffin crystals, in accordance to the experimental evidence. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006