A comparative study for evaluating the performance of five coatings applied on Fe₃O₄nanoparticles for inhibition of asphaltene precipitation from crude oil

Effect of Textural Properties and Surface Chemical Nature of Silica Nanoparticles from Different Silicon Sources on the Viscosity Reduction of Heavy Crude Oil

“…Nowadays, most of the worldwide petroleum reserves are composed of heavy oil (HO) and extra-heavy oil (EHO). − Although there is a wide availability of this type of reserves, the vast majority of these remain underexploited due to the costs and technical challenges associated with their production and transportation. , The issues presented in these operations are related to the HO and EHO physicochemical properties, particularly the viscosity, which hinders the crude oil mobility at surface and subsurface conditions. − It is well known that this reduced mobility is derived mainly from the asphaltene contents , and their interactions with the other chemical compounds in the crude oil, which lead to the formation of complex microstructures. − Thus, different types of nanomaterials have been developed for capturing asphaltenes through an adsorption phenomenon, inhibiting the aggregation of these molecules. Different nanoparticles have been evaluated including alumina, − Fe 3 O 4 , − silica, − functionalized materials, ,− and other oxides, ,− which can modify the viscoelastic networks of HO and EHO and hence reduce their viscosity. , …”

Fundamental Mechanisms and Factors Associated with Nanoparticle-Assisted Enhanced Oil Recovery

“…115,128,129 Higher pressure also promotes the adsorption of asphaltene as the high pressure increases the tendency to associate asphaltene with nanoparticles. 129 Some studies 119,126 reported that nanoparticles could prevent asphaltene precipitation up to an optimum concentration. Beyond this concentration, an increase in nanoparticle concentration can reduce the adsorption of asphaltene because a concentration increase will result in nanoparticle aggregation, thereby reducing active surface sites.…”

“…For example, TiO 2 nanoparticles are efficient in inhibiting asphaltene precipitation in acidic conditions but not in basic conditions, , because the TiO 2 nanoparticle has a point of zero charge of 6.8. An increase in the temperature adversely affects the adsorption process because the adsorption is an exothermic process, where energy is released from the system. ,, Higher pressure also promotes the adsorption of asphaltene as the high pressure increases the tendency to associate asphaltene with nanoparticles . Some studies , reported that nanoparticles could prevent asphaltene precipitation up to an optimum concentration.…”

“…An increase in the temperature adversely affects the adsorption process because the adsorption is an exothermic process, where energy is released from the system. 115,128,129 Higher pressure also promotes the adsorption of asphaltene as the high pressure increases the tendency to associate asphaltene with nanoparticles. 129 Some studies 119,126 reported that nanoparticles could prevent asphaltene precipitation up to an optimum concentration.…”