Microscopic details of asphaltenes aggregation onset during waterflooding

Abstract

We report detailed microscopic studies of asphaltenes aggregation onset during waterflooding of petroleum reservoirs. To achieve this objective, a series of simulations are performed on asphaltenic-oil miscibilized with water at high pressure and temperature through molecular dynamics. Results of this simulation onset are applicable to asphaltenes behavior in real crude oils. Our simulation results illustrate that the aggregation onset in waterflooding generally follows three sequential steps: (i) Asphaltene-water interaction; (ii) Water bridging; (iii) Face-to-face stacking. Then, asphaltene-water and water-water hydrogen-bonding network surround every aggregate boosting the intensity of aggregation onset. We intend to utilize such understanding of these details in our predictive and preventive measures of arterial blockage in oil reservoirs during waterflooding.

Challenges of oxidative/extractive desulphurization of heavy fuel oil

“…[43][44][45] Yasin and Mansouri mentioned three types of interactions, including hydrogen bond between water and asphaltene, water bridge that causes asphaltene particles to be closed to each other, and π-π interaction between asphaltene particles as the main factors in asphaltene flocculation. [46] In Figure 4, the peaks formed in the gum in the range of 3800-3100 cm À1 indicate the hydrogen bonds formed between the water molecules and the HFO, which is also confirmed by the literature. [43][44][45]…”

“…Thus, these solvents are not suitable for dilution, so non-polar solvents were used for dilution in the present study. [46,47] In this regard, four solvents (i.e., n-heptane, kerosene, toluene, and a S402), with a volume ratio of 2:1 were used for dilution before ODS. The above-mentioned solvents were chosen according to the presence of versatile components in the fuel oil.…”

Analysis of the Current State of Researches of the Deposition of Asphalt-Resinous Substances, Paraffin, and Modeling Methods. Review Part Ii: Wax Deposition

“…[3]. The practice of oil production in the fields shows that the main areas of accumulation of asphaltene-resin-paraffin deposits (ARPD) are well pumps, lifting strings in wells, flow lines from wells, reservoirs of field gathering points [4].…”

Impact of Functional Group Methylation on the Disaggregation Trend of Asphaltene: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

“…During the past few decades, considerable experimental efforts have been devoted to studying the aggregation behavior of asphaltenes . Besides, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has become prevalent and was successfully applied to describe asphaltene behavior in various model petroleum fluids. ,,− Particularly, the forces driving asphaltene aggregation have attracted much attention. Murgich found that the forces present in asphaltene or resin aggregates are mainly composed of van der Waals, electrostatic (Coulombic), charge transfer, induction, and the exchange–expulsion interactions.…”