JOULE HEATING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A Joule heating apparatus with a housing having an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet portal for introducing fluid into the internal cavity and an outlet portal for discharging the fluid form the internal cavity. The internal cavity includes an internal heating section with at least one electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has a supply electrode, a ground electrode, and a space between the supply and ground electrodes. The space of the electrode assembly is in fluid communication with the housing's inlet and outlet portals. The electrode assembly is adapted to form an electric field to heat via Joule heating the fluid flowing through the annulus. A method for Joule heating of a fluid is provided that uses the aforesaid apparatus to heat the fluid by applying an electric field thereto.

主权项

1. A Joule heating apparatus comprising a housing including an internal cavity, an inlet portal for introducing a fluid into the internal cavity, and an outlet portal for discharging the fluid from the internal cavity, the internal cavity including an internal heating section, the internal heating section including at least one electrode assembly, the at least one electrode assembly including a supply electrode, a ground electrode, and a space between the supply and ground electrodes, the space being in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet portals, the at least one electrode assembly adapted to form an electric field to heat via Joule heating the fluid flowing through the space, wherein the fluid is substantially composed of crude oil flowing in a pipeline.