Thermo-economic optimization of steam injection operation in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using nano-thermal insulation

Afra, Mohammad Javad Shokri; Peyghambarzadeh, S.M.; Shahbazi, Khalil; Tahmassebi, Narges

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2021.120409

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The application of nanoparticles in a SAGD process has also been considered to minimize steam heat losses inside injection pipes, through the formulation of insulating materials incorporating nanoparticles. 356 In this context, Afra et al 356 calculated the economic effectiveness of increasing the temperature, the injection rate of steam, and this advanced insulation technique using nanomaterials. According to the results, implementing nanothermal insulators (2.83 m 3 ) could reduce energy loss from 25% to 44% with an extra investment of less than 3%.…”

Section: Economic Potential Assessment Of a Nano-sagd Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoparticles Technology for Improving Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process Performance: A Review

Prada,

Botett,

Contreras−Mateus

et al. 2024

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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The increase in energy demand and the dynamics of the energy transition have changed the perspectives and opportunities within the oil and gas sector. This revolutionary scenario has resulted in sustainable and consolidated strategies, exemplified by the development of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods within the improved oil recovery (IOR) scheme, and specifically for this Review study in the steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) techniques. The selection and impact of the EOR methods, as well as the expected recovery, rely on multiple factors, encompassing economic, environmental, and technological considerations. The above has led to the simultaneous appearance of uncertainties and difficulties that are continuously challenging the ranking of the oil sector in the global energy market. Against this background, nanotechnology has been established as a feasible strategy to be integrated into multiple stages of the oil supply chain. This Review study has focused on highlighting the synergistic trends of nanotechnology, steam, and oil recovery by conducting bibliometric analysis, where a tendency of the number of publications has increased in the last three years, as evidence of the application of nanotechnology in the oil industry. We have also carried out comprehensive discussions on the most widely implemented conventional thermal oil recovery methods with the dual purpose of explaining their methodologies and, at the same time, highlighting their inherent limitations and the imperative requirements to optimize them. In this direction, we have presented an in-depth exploration of the physicochemical mechanisms of action of nanoparticles to underscore the prospects for their applications in the EOR technologies. Finally, we contextualized the economic and technical feasibility of incorporating nanoparticles into industry, alongside advancements in simulation studies, presented as robust and cost-effective research alternatives, offering a more well-founded perspective on the scalability of nanoparticle technology.

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Section: Economic Potential Assessment Of a Nano-sagd Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoparticles Technology for Improving Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process Performance: A Review

Prada,

Botett,

Contreras−Mateus

et al. 2024

Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

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“…In the process of oil recovery, there is a high energy loss that imposes damages to the injection system and lowers the heat level. To keep the rate of temperature in a higher range and decrease the energy loss, scientists have applied nano-thermal insulators that are more economical (Afra et al 2021;Zhao et al 2021;Zhou et al 2020). Gas and oil products can be cleaned from H 2 S by applying nanomaterials (Agarwal and Sudharsan 2021).…”

Section: Oil Industry Benefits From Multiple Types Of Nanomaterialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nano-biotechnology, an applicable approach for sustainable future

et al. 2022

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Nanotechnology is one of the most emerging fields of research within recent decades and is based upon the exploitation of nano-sized materials (e.g., nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanomembranes, nanowires, nanofibers and so on) in various operational fields. Nanomaterials have multiple advantages, including high stability, target selectivity, and plasticity. Diverse biotic (e.g., Capsid of viruses and algae) and abiotic (e.g., Carbon, silver, gold and etc.) materials can be utilized in the synthesis process of nanomaterials. "Nanobiotechnology" is the combination of nanotechnology and biotechnology disciplines. Nano-based approaches are developed to improve the traditional biotechnological methods and overcome their limitations, such as the side effects caused by conventional therapies. Several studies have reported that nanobiotechnology has remarkably enhanced the efficiency of various techniques, including drug delivery, water and soil remediation, and enzymatic processes. In this review, techniques that benefit the most from nano-biotechnological approaches, are categorized into four major fields: medical, industrial, agricultural, and environmental.

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“…Afra et al [29] designed and built an experimental apparatus to study energy optimization in steam injection operations for improved oil recovery. An investigation was conducted to examine the impact of increasing the rate and temperature of steam injection and the application of nano-thermal insulators on the quantity of heat delivered to the reservoir.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing the Thickness of Multilayer Thermal Insulation on Different Pipelines for Minimizing Overall Cost-Associated Heat Loss

Alrasheed

2024

Processes

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Optimizing the multilayer thermal insulation of pipelines transporting liquids and gases at higher than ambient temperatures is crucial for heat energy conservation and cost optimization. This study utilizes a multi-objective genetic algorithm to optimize the multilayer thermal insulation thickness around a pipe carrying fluid to minimize heat loss and associated costs. The model adopted mathematical associations between design variables and the overall installation cost of layers over a pipe from the available literature. The proposed model considered one or more insulation layers of rock wool and calcium silicate to oil pipelines containing steam, furfural, reduced crude or 300-distillate oil. All calculations considered fixed-charge rates as a fraction of 1 or 0.15. The results were compared with standard values and those predicted by other researchers in the literature. For the steam line, the standard insulation thickness was 50 mm, jumping to 327 mm for rock wool and 232 mm for calcium silicate. However, it decreased to 38 mm for double-layer calcium silicate and 138 mm for double-layer rock wool. For furfural, the insulation thickness was 40 mm, which rose to 159 mm for rock wool and 112 mm for calcium silicate. In general, for all four cases, the results show that using normal insulation thickness is inadequate and not economical. For example, for 300-distillate oil, the present practice puts the cost function at 54 USD/m, which drops to 20 USD/m for rock wool and 24 USD/m each for single-layer silicate and double-layer insulation. This amounts to almost 60% cost savings. Similar trends are observed for the other three cases. This model can provide up to 60% savings in cost and a 92% reduction in heat loss at optimum insulation thickness compared to other models.

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Thermo-economic optimization of steam injection operation in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using nano-thermal insulation

Cited by 15 publications

References 24 publications

Nanoparticles Technology for Improving Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process Performance: A Review

Nanoparticles Technology for Improving Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Process Performance: A Review

Nano-biotechnology, an applicable approach for sustainable future

Optimizing the Thickness of Multilayer Thermal Insulation on Different Pipelines for Minimizing Overall Cost-Associated Heat Loss

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