Applications of zeolite-zirconia-copper nanocomposites as a new asphaltene inhibitor for improving permeability reduction during CO2 flooding

Abstract

Using nanoparticles for adsorbing asphaltene was known as an efficient method among researchers for crude oil upgrading. In this study, zeolite-zirconia-copper nanocomposites (NCs) have been synthesized and characterized with Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). Then, CO2-oil interfacial tension (IFT) tests, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, asphaltene precipitation tests at static phase, and dynamic CO2 flooding tests were performed in the presence of NCs and the results were compared with zeolite nanoparticles. Based on the characterization results, zirconia-copper particles were distributed at the surface of zeolite with total dimensions less than 30 nm, and the specific surface areas of the NCs (327.82 m2/g) was less than the pure zeolite (369.48 m2/g). It was seen that NCs had a greater asphaltene adsorption capacity and the application of decreasing asphaltene precipitation was higher in comparison to the zeolite nanoparticles. Accordingly, NCs were selected for performing dynamic CO2 tests and investigation of the permeability and porosity reduction parameters at obtained static condition. After adding NCs at the dynamic phase, asphaltene depositions that occured after CO2 injection was decreased and permeability/porosity reduction parameters were improved.

Mechanistic understanding of asphaltene precipitation and oil recovery enhancement using SiO2 and CaCO3 nano-inhibitors

“…In the presence of zeolite, asphaltene precipitation decreased from 14.24 to 6.25 wt.% and 8.40 wt.%, respectively. Furthermore, in CO 2 dynamic tests, it was observed that zeolite‑zirconia‑copper nanocomposites had high potential for improving permeability impairment, reducing porosity, and decreasing the asphaltene deposition rate 16 . Li et al investigated the effectiveness of three nanoparticle types—NiO, SiO 2 , and Fe 3 O 4 —in inhibiting asphaltene precipitation in water-wet porous media, attributing their efficacy to their high surface area-to-volume ratio, strong adsorption capacity, and excellent suspension characteristics 17 .…”

Experimental Characterization and Evaluation of Crude Spiking Influence on Oil/Water Dispersed Flow in Pipe

“…Resins, fatty acids such as naphthenic acids, porphyrins, wax crystals, and other crude oil components are also surface active, although they cannot generate stable emulsions on their own most of the time [15][16][17][18]. Asphaltenes in oil are solubilized by resins, which remove them from the interface, decreasing emulsion stability [19,20]. Oil production is hindered by surface-active components, causing flow assurance issues.…”