Mathematical Inhibitor Model for Barium Sulfate Scale Control

Abstract

A semiempirical mathematical model has been developed to predict inhibitor efficiency for barium sulfate scale control in industrial processes. This model can be used for selecting effective inhibitors and determining the minimal effective concentration needed for a given system. The model incorporates experimental data of the nucleation and inhibition kinetics. Specifically, the induction period in the presence and absence of scale inhibitors has been measured experimentally and inputted into the model: C inh = (1/b) log[t inh/t 0], where C inh is the inhibitor concentration, t inh is the inhibition time (e.g., 20 min), t 0 is the nucleation induction period of the scaling mineral crystal, and b is the inhibitor efficiency. The inhibition kinetics of barium sulfate nucleation with bis(hexamethylene)triaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (BHMTPMP) and several other polyphosphonate and polyacrylate inhibitors have been measured. Many factors which are important to nucleation and inhibition kinetics, such as the degree of supersaturation, temperature, and solution pH, have been included in the inhibitor model. The model prediction for barium sulfate scale control was in good agreement with laboratory observations and field experience.

An improved predictive correlation for the induction time of CaCO3 scale formation during flow in porous media

“…The relationship was confirmed by the work of Liu and Nancollas [13] and fitted well the data obtained from the work of He and co-researchers [8]. A year later, He and coworkers developed a semiempirical model, which can predict the induction time of BaSO 4 precipitation, based on the nucleation theory and their experimental observations [14]. It resulted in an expression of the form…”

Barite Nucleation and Inhibition at 0 to 200°C With and Without Thermodynamic Hydrate Inhibitors

“…Often, when seawater with high sulfate concentration is injected into a barium-containing formation, such injection can induce barite-scale nucleation (Boak et al 1999;Bedrikovetsky et al 2004) and cause a serious problem for oil and gas production. Although BaSO 4 -nucleation and -inhibition kinetics has been studied for many years He et al 1994He et al , 1995He et al , 1996Jones et al 2007;Pina et al 1998;Xiao et al 2001), BaSO 4 formation continually causes problems for oil and gas production. Because chemically removing BaSO 4 is very difficult and the cost of removing barite formed in wells, pipelines, and oil formations is very high, the most practical and efficient way to solve these problems is to prevent its formation by using scale inhibitors.…”

Scale inhibition study by turbidity measurement

“…Continuous scale growth can eventually lead to the blockage of the pores in the oil flow pathways, damage the production system, and decrease productivity. This problem can cost the oil producers millions of dollars per year in productivity loss and overhaul expense [1][2][3].…”