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An apparatus and method for controlling and/or minimizing the formation or accumulation of unwanted deposits on the inside of fluid flow paths by employing at various locations along the path an assembly of permanent magnets oriented such that the fluid flow is preferably from the North magnetic pol

An apparatus and method for controlling and/or minimizing the formation or accumulation of unwanted deposits on the inside of fluid flow paths by employing at various locations along the path an assembly of permanent magnets oriented such that the fluid flow is preferably from the North magnetic pole to the South magnetic pole.

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What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for magnetically treating fluids flowing through a conduit to inhibit the formation and/or deposition of solid phase deposits within the conduit, the apparatus comprising: an elongated tubular member configured to be interconnected with the conduit in an axial ma

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for magnetically treating fluids flowing through a conduit to inhibit the formation and/or deposition of solid phase deposits within the conduit, the apparatus comprising: an elongated tubular member configured to be interconnected with the conduit in an axial manner, having at a first end an inlet and at a second end longitudinally opposite the first end an outlet for the flowing fluid; a cylindrical magnet, having a North pole, a South pole, an inner surface and an outer surface; a magnet retention device comprising a flange having a top surface and disposed about an outer surface of the elongated tubular member; a collar threadably disposed at the second end of the tubular member; and wherein the magnet is located between the flange and collar and the inner surface of the magnet is adjacent an outer surface of the tubular member and an outside diameter of the magnet is less than an outside diameter of the flange or collar. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical magnet is oriented such that the North pole of the magnet is oriented towards the first end of the tubular member and the South pole of the magnet is oriented towards the second end of the tubular member. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical magnet is a rare earth magnet. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rare earth magnet is a samarium cobalt magnet. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protective shield applied to the outer surface of the magnet. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a cylindrical lock nut disposed between the flange and the second end; a first cylindrical seal; a second cylindrical seal, and wherein the first cylindrical seal forms an interface between the North magnetic pole of the magnet and the top surface of the flange, and the second cylindrical seal forms an interface between the South magnetic pole and an edge of the lock nut, such that the cylindrical lock nut prevents longitudinal movement of the magnet. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first and second cylindrical seals are elastomeric O-rings. 8. A system for reducing buildup in a hydrocarbon flow path located in a subterranean well, comprising: a hydrocarbon flow path disposed in a subterranean well comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and adapted to flow a hydrocarbon-bearing fluid from a distal end to a proximal end; a substantially cylindrical permanent magnet disposed adjacent the outside surface such that a North magnetic pole is adjacent the distal end and a South magnetic pole is adjacent the proximal end, the magnet having an outer surface and first and second axially spaced ends; a shield disposed about the outer surface of the magnet and adapted to protect the magnet while its is located in the subterranean welt the shield having an outer diameter; a first conduit portion located adjacent the first end of the magnet; a second conduit portion adjacent the second end of the magnet; and wherein the first and second conduit portions have an outer diameter that is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the shield. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnet is loosely disposed about the outside surface. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnet comprises a rare earth magnet. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the rare earth magnet is a samarium cobalt magnet. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnet is cylindrical. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the system comprises a plurality of magnets spaced apart from one another. 14. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a lock nut disposed between the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion; a first cylindrical seal; a second cylindrical seal, and wherein the first cylindrical seal forms an interface between the North magnetic pole of the magnet and the first conduit portion, and the second cylindrical seal forms an interface between the South magnetic pole and the second conduit portion. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second cylindrical seals are elastomeric O-rings. 16. A process for removing or inhibiting the formation of solid phase deposits from hydrocarbons, the process comprising: connecting an apparatus according to claim 1 to an end of a first conduit running the first conduit and associated system in a subterranean well; connecting and running additional conduits and systems so as to have at least a plurality of systems longitudinally spaced apart from one another in the wellbore; and flowing a hydrocarbon-bearing fluid the systems. 17. The process of claim 16, further comprising spacing at least one additional apparatus longitudinally apart from the other a distance from about 100 feet to about 500 feet. 18. The process of claim 16, wherein the solid phase deposits removed or inhibited are scale deposits, paraffin deposits, hydrate deposits, asphaltene deposits, or combinations thereof. 19. An oil or gas production process, comprising: establishing a hydrocarbon flow path in a subterranean well, the flow path comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and adapted to flow a hydrocarbon-bearing fluid from a distal end to a proximal end; providing a substantially cylindrical permanent magnet adjacent the outside surface such that a North magnetic pole is adjacent the distal end and a South magnetic pole is adjacent the proximal end, the magnet having an outer surface and first and second axially spaced ends; providing a shield disposed about the outer surface of the magnet and adapted to protect the magnet while its is located in the subterranean well, the shield having an outer diameter; providing a first conduit portion located adjacent the first end of the magnet; providing a second conduit portion adjacent the second end of the magnet; and resulting in an outer diameter of the first and second conduit portions that is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the shield. 20. The process of claim 19, wherein the magnet is loosely disposed about the outside surface. 21. The process of claim 19 wherein the magnet comprises a rare earth magnet. 22. The process of claim 21, wherein the rare earth magnet is a samarium cobalt magnet. 23. The process of claim 21, wherein the magnet is cylindrical. 24. The process of claim 19, further comprising providing a plurality of other substantially cylindrical permanent magnets adjacent the outside surface. 25. The process of claim 24, further comprising spacing the plurality of magnets apart from one another from about 100 feet to about 500 feet.