Investigating the Performance of Carboxylate-Alumoxane Nanoparticles as a Novel Chemically Functionalized Inhibitor on Asphaltene Precipitation

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have attempted to find some practical approaches for asphaltene adsorption and the prevention or postponement of asphaltene precipitation. Among different techniques, nanotechnology has attracted the researchers' attention to overcome the formation damage resulting from the deposition of asphaltenes. In this study, the application of two types of carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles (functionalized boehmite by methoxyacetic acid (BMA) and functionalized pseudo-boehmite by methoxyacetic acid (PBMA)) for asphaltene adsorption and precipitation was investigated. First, the synthesis of two functionalized nanoparticles was performed via the sol− gel method. For the assessment of the adsorption efficiency and adsorption capacity of these nanoparticles toward asphaltene adsorption, the batch adsorption experiments applying ultraviolet−visible (UV−Vis) spectroscopy were performed. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were studied to describe the interaction between asphaltene molecules and carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles. For determining the "onset" point of asphaltene precipitation, the indirect method, which was based on the difference in the optical property of various solutions containing different concentrations of asphaltene, was utilized by applying UV−Vis spectroscopy. The isotherm models indicate that the adsorption of asphaltene on the surface of nanoparticles is better fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model compared with the Langmuir model. In the presence of PBMA (0.1 wt %), the onset point was delayed around 26, 20, and 17% in the asphaltene concentrations of 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm, respectively, in comparison with their reference synthetic oils. On the other hand, these postponements for BMA nanoparticles (0.1 wt %) were 17%, 9%, and insignificant for the asphaltene concentrations of 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm, respectively. The results reveal that two functionalized nanoparticles tend to adsorb asphaltene molecules and have a positive impact on the postponement of asphaltene precipitation due to molecular interactions between the surface of carboxylate-alumoxane nanoparticles and asphaltene molecules. However, PBMA nanoparticles exhibited better performance on the asphaltene adsorption and postponement of asphaltene precipitation, which is related to its smaller size, as well as higher surface area, compared with BMA nanoparticles.

Preparation of novel and recyclable chitosan-alumina nanocomposite as superabsorbent to remove diazinon and tetracycline contaminants from aqueous solution

“…Also, the images c and d clearly show the mesoporousness of the surface of the structure. Therefore, by observing the change in the morphology of the raw components used in the adsorbent structure compared to the final structure, along with other analyzes provided to confirm the prepared structure, it confirms the success of the adsorbent preparation [ [89] , [90] , [91] ].

Fig.

…”

Research Progress in Nanoparticle Inhibitors for Crude Oil Asphaltene Deposition

“…Although most of the recent research focused on a single nanoparticle, polymer-functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles have attracted more and more attention in recent years. Researchers synthesized NiO/SAPO-5 [ 92 ], NiO/ZSM-5 [ 93 ], Fe 3 O 4 -polythiophene [ 94 ], carboxylate-aluminoxane [ 95 ], and other composite nanoparticles, and found that they exhibit more excellent performance in inhibiting asphaltene.…”

“…Bagherpour et al [ 95 ] prepared two kinds of carboxylate–alumoxane nanoparticles using boehmite and pseudo-boehmite as raw materials. The structure is shown in Figure 8 .…”

Interfacial and Confinement-Mediated Organization of Gas Hydrates, Water, Organic Fluids, and Nanoparticles for the Utilization of Subsurface Energy and Geological Resources

“…119 MD simulations of asphaltene aggregation and adsorption in heptane and toluene and confined in calcite and silica pores 13 wt % Small nanoparticles showed higher asphaltene adsorption capacity and thus inhibits asphaltene aggregation more effectively than large nanoparticles. Carboxylate-alumoxane 336 10−100 8.1 wt % Nanoparticles with smaller sizes and higher surface areas showed higher asphaltene adsorption capacity. Metal oxides 337 20−160 showed that asphaltene aggregates are smaller in size in confinement compared to in bulk fluids.…”