Examining Asphaltene Solubility on Deposition in Model Porous Media.

Asphaltenes are known to cause severe flow assurance problems in the near-wellbore region of oil reservoirs. Understanding the mechanism of asphaltene deposition in porous media is of great significance for the development of accurate numerical simulators and effective chemical remediation treatments. Here, we present a study of the dynamics of asphaltene deposition in porous media using microfluidic devices.

Motion of a droplet through microfluidic ratchets.

We report numerical and experimental studies on a droplet moving through an array of mirofluidic ratchets. Droplets are formed at a T junction and subsequently forced through microfluidic ratchets in the form of diffuser/nozzle structures. At the same flow rates of the continuous and the dispersed phases, the velocity of the droplet is determined by the viscosity of the continuous phase and the interfacial tension between the two phases.