Scale impeding arrangement and method

Abstract

A scale impeding arrangement including a movable member, having a sole purpose of impeding accumulation of scale, in fluid contact with a flow passage, and a movement activator operably connected to the movable member to change elastic energy of the moveable member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scale impeding arrangement comprising:
 a movable member, having a sole purpose of impeding accumulation of scale, in fluid contact with a flow passage; and   a movement activator operably connected to the movable member to change elastic energy of the moveable member.   
     
     
         2 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the movable member is a tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the moveable member is a mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the moveable member is a spring. 
     
     
         5 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the moveable member is mounted to a biasing member. 
     
     
         6 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the movement activator is a vibrator. 
     
     
         7 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the vibrator is a piezoelectric device. 
     
     
         8 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the movement activator is a piston. 
     
     
         9 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the piston is hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         10 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the movement activator is an electroactive polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the movement activator is turbulent fluid flowing in contact with the moveable member. 
     
     
         12 . A borehole system comprising:
 a string disposed in a borehole of the borehole system; and   a scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  disposed at a selected position within the string.   
     
     
         13 . A method for controlling scale formation in a tubular system comprising:
 determining a location of likely scale buildup;   disposing a scale impeding arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  in the location; and   moving the movable feature thereby resisting scale deposition.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the moving comprises vibrating. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the moving comprises continuously storing and releasing elastic energy in the moveable member. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the moving comprises discontinuously storing and releasing elastic energy in the moveable member.