Nanoparticles: An Emerging Technology for Oil Production and Processing Applications (Lecture Notes in Nanoscale Science and Technology, 32)

✍ Scribed by Nashaat N. Nassar (editor), Farid B. Cortés (editor), Camilo A. Franco (editor)

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 518
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book assesses the current development and potential applications of nanoparticle technology in oil industry and explores new research directions in this frontier field. It outlines the theory and practical challenges of the nanoparticle colloidal behavior in oil matrixes and aqueous solutions, the interactions between rock and nanofluid, nanoparticles and asphaltenes, and the surface phenomena relevant to the application of this technology. The book also describes the transport behavior of nanoparticles in oil/sand media for in-situ upgrading and recovery of heavy oil. Currently, the main objectives of applying nanoscale materials in oil industry are the remediation of formation damage, the improvement of energy efficiency, the abatement of environmental footprints and the increment of recovery factors of oil reservoirs, to name a few. The book consists of 15 chapters with contributions by leading experts in the topics of fabrication methods, opportunities and challenges in the oil & gas industry, modeling and application of nanofluids in the field and environmental applications of nanoparticles. The growing demand for oil has led to the need to exploit unconventional oil resources, such as heavy and extra-heavy crude oil. However, in the current context, upgrading and recovery of heavy oil are highly energy and water intensive, which consequently results in environmental impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to search for new ideas and alternatives in the field of in-situ and ex-situ upgrading and recovery to improve current technologies and make them both environmentally sound and cost-effective. Research conducted by the authors and numerous other researchers has shown that nanoparticle technology could be successfully employed for enhancing the upgrading and recovery of heavy oil with cost-effective and environmentally friendly approaches. Examples on the applications of nanoparticles in heavy oil include the adsorption, oxidation, and gasification/cracking of asphaltenes, a problematic constituent present in heavy oils; in-situ upgrading of the Athabasca bitumen by multi-metallic in-situ prepared nanocatalysts; the inhibition of precipitation and deposition of asphaltnes; and the enhanced perdurability against asphaltene damage in oil sands porous media by injection of nanofluids; sequestration of oil from spilled by nanoparticles, cleaning up oil sand process affected water by integrating nanoparticle with conventional treatment processes, etc.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Chapter 1: Nanoparticles: Preparation, Stabilization, and Control Over Particle Size
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Chemical Preparation Techniques
1.2.1 Nanoparticle Synthesis by Chemical Coprecipitation
1.2.2 Nanoparticle Synthesis by Electrochemical Methods
1.2.3 Nanoparticle Synthesis by Sonochemical Methods
1.2.4 Nanoparticle Synthesis by Sol-Gel Processing
1.2.5 Nanoparticle Synthesis by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Chemical Vapor Condensation (CVC)
1.2.6 Nanoparticle Synthesis by Microemulsions
1.3 Physical Preparation Techniques
1.3.1 Mechanical Attrition
1.3.1.1 Shaker Mills
1.3.1.2 Planetary Ball Mills
1.3.1.3 Attritor Mills
1.3.2 Plasma
1.4 Application: Importance of Controlling the Shape and Size of Nanoparticles
1.4.1 Metallurgy
1.4.2 Biological Systems
1.4.3 Oil Well Construction
1.4.4 Nanotechnology: Industrial Applications and Risk Factors
1.4.4.1 Food Industry
1.4.4.2 Oil and Gas
1.4.5 Upscaling from Laboratory to Industry
1.4.6 Health and Safety Risks
1.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 2: Nanoparticles as Potential Agents for Enhanced Oil Recovery
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Nanoparticle Types Used Commonly in EOR Applications
2.2.1 Silica Nanoparticles
2.2.2 Aluminium Oxide Nanoparticles
2.2.3 Nickel Oxide (NiO) Nanoparticles
2.2.4 Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
2.2.5 Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles
2.2.6 Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) Nanoparticles
2.2.7 Carbon-Based Nanoparticles
2.3 Nanoparticle Stabilization for EOR Application
2.4 Commonly Used Stabilization Techniques for EOR Application
2.5 Mechanisms of Enhancing Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles
2.5.1 Alterations of Wettability
2.5.2 Nanoparticle Application for Viscosity Reduction
2.5.3 Combination of Nanoparticles with Polymers for EOR
2.5.4 Nanoparticle-Augmented Surfactant for EOR
2.5.5 Application of Nanoparticles for Foam Stability in EOR Applications
2.5.6 Using Nanoparticle Stabilized Pickering Emulsions for EOR Application
2.5.7 Inhibition of Wax and Asphaltene Deposition with Nanoparticles
2.5.8 Structural Disjoining Pressure (SDP) Caused by Nanoparticles and the EOR Impact
2.5.9 Nanoparticle Application in Heavy Oil Recovery
2.6 Janus Nanoparticles Overview for EOR Application
2.6.1 Synthesis of Janus Nanoparticles
2.6.1.1 Synthesis of Nanoparticles Using the Masking Technique
2.6.1.2 Pickering Emulsion
2.6.1.3 Preparation of Janus Nanoparticles via Pickering Emulsion
2.6.2 Janus Nanoparticle Application for Enhancing Oil Recovery
2.7 Effect of Various Factors on Nanoparticle Performance
2.7.1 Salinity Effect
2.7.2 Effect of Nanoparticle Concentration
2.7.3 Nanoparticle Type and Size
2.7.4 Effect of the Injection Rate
2.7.5 Effect of the Injection Sequence
2.7.6 Effect of Temperature
2.8 Economic Analysis of Using Nanoparticles
2.9 Concerns and Uncertainties of Applying Nanoparticles in Oil and Gas Applications
2.10 Conclusions and Future Outlook
References
Chapter 3: Nanoparticles as Adsorbents for Asphaltenes
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Asphaltenes
3.1.2 Role of Nanoparticles as Adsorbents
3.2 Modeling of Asphaltene Adsorption
3.2.1 Solid-Liquid Equilibrium (SLE) Model
3.2.2 Solid-Liquid Equilibrium Reservoir Conditions (SLE-RC) Model
3.2.3 Disaggregation Model
3.3 Types of Nanoparticles for Asphaltene Adsorption
3.3.1 Factors Affecting Asphaltene Adsorption
3.3.2 Effect of Adsorption Method
3.3.3 Effect of the Temperature
3.3.4 Effect of Pressure
3.3.5 Effect of Asphaltene Types and Properties
3.3.6 Effect of Nanoparticle Size
3.3.7 Effect of Coexisting Molecules on Asphaltene Adsorption
3.3.8 Effect of N-Heptane/Toluene (H/T) Ratio
3.3.9 Effect of Water Content
3.4 Conclusion and Future Remarks
References
Chapter 4: Nanoparticles as Catalyst for Asphaltenes and Waste Heavy Hydrocarbons Upgrading
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Role of Nanoparticles as Catalyst
4.1.2 Catalytic Effect of Nanosorbcat
4.2 Oxidation of Asphaltenes
4.2.1 Relationship Between Adsorption Affinity and Catalytic Activity of Nanoparticles
4.2.2 Effect of Asphaltene Loading on the Catalytic Activity of Nanoparticles
4.2.3 Effect of Asphaltenes Types on Oxidation
4.3 Estimation of the Activation Energy
4.3.1 Estimation of Energy Activation at Isothermal Conditions
4.3.2 Estimation of Energy Activation at Non-Isothermal Conditions
4.3.3 Estimation of Activation Energy Using OFW Method
4.3.4 Estimation of Activation Energy Using KAS Method
4.3.5 Estimation of Activation Energy Using NLN Method
4.4 Pyrolysis of Asphaltenes
4.5 Gasification of Asphaltenes
4.6 Conclusion and Future Remarks
References
Chapter 5: Effect of Pressure on Thermo-oxidation and Thermocatalytic Oxidation of n-C7 Asphaltenes
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Thermal Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes
5.3 Nanocatalysts for Asphaltene Decomposition and Heavy Oil Upgrading
5.4 Compensation Effect
5.5 Materials and Methods
5.5.1 Materials
5.5.1.1 Nanoparticles and N-C7 Asphaltenes
5.5.2 Methods
5.5.2.1 Adsorption Isotherms
5.5.2.2 Kinetic Study by High-Pressure Thermogravimetric Analysis
5.6 Modeling
5.6.1 Solid-Liquid Equilibrium Model
5.6.2 Activation Energy Estimation
5.7 Results
5.7.1 Characterization of N-C7 Asphaltenes
5.7.2 Adsorption Isotherms
5.7.3 High-Pressure Thermogravimetric Analysis
5.7.3.1 Effect of Pressure on N-C7 Asphaltene Oxidation
5.7.3.2 Thermo-Oxidation of Different N-C7 Asphaltenes
5.7.3.3 Thermocatalytic Oxidation of N-C7 Asphaltenes
5.7.4 Estimation of Kinetic Parameters
5.7.4.1 Asphaltene Oxidation at Different Pressures
5.7.4.2 Kinetic Analysis for Different N-C7 Asphaltenes at High-Pressure Conditions
5.7.4.3 Kinetic Analysis for N-C7 Asphaltene Catalytic Oxidation
5.7.5 Compensation Effect
5.7.5.1 Compensation Effect on N-C7 Asphaltene Oxidation at Different Pressures
5.7.5.2 Compensation Effect for Oxidation of N-C7 Asphaltenes in the Presence of Nanocatalysts at Different Pressures
5.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: Nanoparticles for Heavy Oil Upgrading
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Current Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes
6.3 Thermal EOR Methods
6.3.1 Hot Fluid Injection
6.3.2 Steam-Based Methods
6.3.2.1 Steam Flooding (Steam Drive)
6.3.2.2 Cyclic Steam Stimulation
6.3.2.3 Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD)
VAPEX
ES-SAGD
SAGP
6.3.3 In Situ Combustion
6.3.4 THAI
6.3.5 THAI-CAPRI
6.3.6 Electrical Heating
6.4 Ultradispersed Nanocatalysts
6.4.1 Synthesis of Nanoparticles
6.5 Proof of Concept
6.6 Hydrogen Addition Processes
6.6.1 Hydrogen Donors
6.6.2 Different Types of H-Donors
6.6.3 The Applicability of H-Donors with UD Nanoparticles
6.6.4 Challenges and Opportunities
6.7 Liquid Quality Enhancement
6.7.1 H/C Atomic Ratio
6.7.2 Viscosity Reduction and API Enhancement
6.7.3 Micro Carbon Reduction
6.7.4 Sulfur Removal
6.7.5 Coke Formation Mitigation
6.8 Gas Emission Reduction
6.9 Nanocatalyst Transport Behavior Inside the Porous Media
6.10 Modeling of Reaction Kinetics
6.10.1 Kinetics
6.10.2 Reaction Kinetics Models
6.10.3 Model Description
6.11 Other Important Topics
6.11.1 Nanocatalyst Recycling
6.11.2 Environmental Effect of Nanoparticles
6.12 Conclusions
References
Chapter 7: Nanotechnology Applications for Viscosity Reduction of Heavy and Extra-Heavy Oils: A Review
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Properties of Heavy and Extra-Heavy Crude Oil
7.3 Interaction Between Nanoparticles and Heavy Crude Oil Fraction
7.3.1 Effects of the Textural Properties of Nanoparticles
7.3.2 Chemical Nature of the Effects of Nanoparticles
7.3.3 Effect of Nanoparticle Concentration
7.3.4 Nanofluid Implementation
7.4 Different Nanotechnology Applications for Viscosity Reduction
7.4.1 Reduction of Solvent Consumption for Transport
7.4.2 Ultrasonic Cavitation
7.4.3 Deasphalting
7.5 Field Trials for IOR Stimulation
7.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Using Nanoparticles as Gas Foam Stabilizing Agents for Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications
8.1 Introduction
8.1.1 Background
8.1.2 Need for Foam EOR
8.2 Foam Principles
8.3 Fundamentals of Foam Stability
8.4 Effect of Nanoparticles on Foam Stabilization
8.4.1 Mechanisms of Foam Stabilized by Surfactant and Nanoparticles
8.4.1.1 Particle Detachment Energy
8.4.1.2 Particle Arrangement During Film Drainage
8.4.1.3 Maximum Capillary Pressure of Coalescence
8.4.1.4 Growing Aggregates
8.4.2 Experimental Techniques of Foam Stability Evaluation
8.4.2.1 Bulk Foam Stability Tests
Foam Height and Half-Life Time
Bubble Size Evaluation
Vertical Foam Film Tests
8.4.2.2 Interfacial Tension and Dilatational Viscoelasticity Measurements
8.4.2.3 Application of Foam in the Porous Media Experiments
8.5 Critical Parameters Influencing Foam Stability
8.5.1 Temperature
8.5.2 Pressure
8.5.3 Salinity
8.5.4 Zeta Potential and pH
8.5.5 Gas Type
8.5.6 Crude Oil
8.5.6.1 The Spreading and Entering Coefficients
8.5.6.2 The Bridging Coefficient
8.5.6.3 Lamella Number
8.5.6.4 Pseudo-Emulsion Film
8.5.7 Surfactants
8.5.8 Nanoparticles
8.5.8.1 Nanoparticle Type
8.5.8.2 Nanoparticle Surface Wettability
8.5.8.3 Effect of Nanoparticles Size
8.5.8.4 Effect of Nanoparticle Concentration
8.6 Various Studies Conducted on Foam Stability Using Nanoparticles
8.6.1 Nitrogen
8.6.2 Carbon Dioxide
8.6.2.1 CO2 Foam Stabilization by Brine-Nanoparticle Solution
8.6.2.2 Effect of Nanoparticle Surface Modification on CO2 Foam Stability
8.7 Challenges of Field Implementation of Nanoparticle-Stabilized Foams
8.8 Conclusion, Recommendations, and Future Remarks
Nomenclature
References
Chapter 9: Influence of Surfactant Adsorption on Surface-Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles for Gas Foam Stability
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Foam Injection in EOR Processes
9.3 Nanoparticles for Natural Gas Foam Stability
9.4 Materials and Methods
9.4.1 Materials
9.4.2 Methods
9.4.2.1 Nanofluid Preparation
9.4.2.2 Surfactant Adsorption Experiments
9.4.2.3 Foam Stability Tests
9.4.2.4 Foam Flooding Test
9.5 Results
9.5.1 Nanoparticle Characterization
9.5.2 Surfactant Adsorption
9.5.3 Foam Stability
9.5.4 Foam Flooding Test
9.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 10: Nanoparticles for Drilling, Cementing, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Well Stimulation Fluids
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Types of Drilling Fluids
10.3 Application of Nanoparticles in Drilling Fluids
10.4 Effect of Nanoparticle Types and Concentration on the Enhancement of Drilling Fluids
10.5 Application of Nanoparticles in Cementing Activities
10.6 Application of Nanoparticles in Well Stimulation and Hydraulic Fracturing
10.7 Field Applications of Nanoparticles in Drilling, Cementing, and Hydraulic Fracking
10.8 Conclusion
References
Chapter 11: Double Purpose Drilling Fluid Based on Nanotechnology: Drilling-Induced Formation Damage Reduction and Improvement in Mud Filtrate Quality
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Materials and Methods
11.2.1 Nanoparticle Characterization
11.2.2 Drilling Fluid Preparation and Characterization
11.2.3 Methods
11.2.3.1 Aging Process
11.2.3.2 Rheological and Filtration Test
11.2.3.3 Contact Angle, Spontaneous Imbibition Test, and Interfacial Tension Measurements
11.2.3.4 Fines Retention Experimental Test
11.2.3.5 Displacement Test
11.3 Results
11.3.1 Nanoparticle Characterization
11.3.2 Rheological and Filtration Behaviors
11.3.3 Effluent Evaluations
11.3.4 Displacement Test
11.3.5 Field Application
11.3.5.1 Invasion Diameter Calculation by Well Logging
11.3.5.2 Stabilization Time of Production Fluids
11.3.5.3 Productivity Index
11.3.5.4 Solid Production
11.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 12: Evaluation from Laboratory to Field Trial of Nanofluids for CaCO3 Scale Inhibition in Oil Wells
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Materials and Methods
12.2.1 Materials
12.2.2 Methods
12.2.2.1 Synthesis of Ca-DTPMP Nanoparticles
12.2.2.2 Synthesis of MgO Nanoparticles
12.2.2.3 Characterization of Nanoparticles
12.2.2.4 Nanofluid Preparation
12.2.2.5 Batch Experiments for Inhibition of CaCO3 Scaling
12.2.2.6 Core Flooding Tests
12.3 Results
12.3.1 Carrier Fluid and Nanoparticles Characterization
12.3.2 Selection of Nanoparticle by Batch Experiments for CaCO3 Scaling Inhibition
12.3.3 Nanofluid Selection by Batch Experiments for Inhibition of CaCO3 Scaling
12.3.4 Core Flooding Test
12.3.4.1 Inhibition of CaCO3 Scaling
12.3.4.2 Remediation of CaCO3 Scaling
12.3.5 Field Trial
12.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 13: Removal of Uranium from Flowback Water of Hydraulic Fracturing Processes in Unconventional Reservoirs Using Phosphorus- and Nitrogen-Functionalized Activated Carbons
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Materials and Methods
13.2.1 Materials
13.2.2 Methods
13.2.2.1 Preparation of Activated Carbons
13.2.2.2 Modification of Activated Carbons
13.2.2.3 Characterization of Activated Carbons
13.2.2.4 Material Selection
13.2.2.5 Adsorption Isotherms
13.2.2.6 Effect of Adsorbent/Adsorbate Ratio on Adsorption Efficiency of Uranyl
13.2.2.7 Effect of Salinity on Adsorption Efficiency of Uranyl
13.2.2.8 Reuse Process
13.2.2.9 Solid-Liquid Equilibrium (BET) Model
13.3 Results
13.3.1 Material Characterization
13.3.2 Material Selection
13.3.3 Effect of Adsorbent/Adsorbate Ratio on the Adsorption Efficiency of Uranyl
13.3.4 Effect of Salinity on Adsorption Efficiency of Uranyl
13.3.5 Reuse Process of Activated Carbons
13.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 14: Nanoparticles for Cleaning up Oil Sands Process-Affected Water
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Treatment of SAGD Produced Water
14.2.1 Warm Lime Softening (WLS) Unit
14.2.2 Walnut Shell Filter (WSF) Unit
14.2.3 Weak Acid Cationic Exchange (WAC) Unit
14.2.4 Emerging Techniques for SAGD Produced Water Treatment
14.2.4.1 Nanoparticle as an Emerging Technique for Treatment of SAGD Produced Water
An Integrated Oxy-Cracking, Nano-Adsorption, and Steam Gasification Processes for Treatment of SAGD Produced Water
TOC Removal by Nanoparticles Embedded into the Diatomite at Industrial Level Field Test Rotary Drum Filter Tests
Iron Hydroxide Nanoparticles Anchored on the Walnut Shell Filtration Media for Simultaneous Removal of Silica and TOC from SAGD Produced Water
14.3 Enhancing Settling and Dewatering of Mature Fine Tailings (MFT)
14.3.1 Composite Tailing (CT) Treatment
14.3.2 Paste Tailing Processes
14.3.3 Destabilization Mechanisms
14.3.4 Flocculation Behavior with Inorganic-Organic PAM-Based Hybrid Copolymers
14.3.5 Flocculation Behavior with Stimuli-Responsive Polymers
14.3.6 Flocculation Behavior with Hydrophobically Modified Polymeric Flocculants
14.3.7 Emerging Techniques for Treatment of Tailings
14.3.7.1 Oxy-Cracking Technique for Settling and Dewaterability of Oil Sands Mature Fine Tailings (MFT)
14.3.7.2 Using β-Cyclodextrin-Grafted Nanopyroxene for Naphthenic Acids (NAs) Removal
14.4 Oil Spill Removal
14.4.1 Modified ASTM Protocol for Oil Removal Quantification
14.4.2 Magnetic Oil Sorbent-based Nanoparticles
14.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 15: Challenges and Uncertainties of Using Nanoparticles in Oil and Gas Applications
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Challenges of Nanoparticles in Oil Recovery Applications
15.2.1 Cost of the Materials and Synthesis Pathways
15.2.2 Stability and Control over the Particle Size
15.2.3 Screening Criteria for Reservoir
15.2.4 Regeneration and Recovery of the Nanoparticles
15.2.5 Transportation and Deposition
15.3 Concerns and Uncertainties of Using Nanotechnology in Oil and Gas
15.4 Conclusion
References
Index