We present a microfluidic apparatus and method for the measurement of asphaltene content in crude-oil samples. The measurement is based on an optical absorption technique, where it was established that asphaltene coloration correlated linearly with asphaltene weight content. The initial absorbance of the oil is measured, and asphaltenes are removed from the oil by the addition of n-alkane, leading to flocculation and subsequent filtration. The absorbance of the deasphalted oil (maltenes) is then measured, and the initial asphaltene content is revealed by the change in absorbance. The asphaltene optical densities correlated linearly with conventional weight measurement results (e.g., ASTM D6560) for 38 crude-oil samples from around the world. Sample measurement repeatability was shown to be within ±2% over several months. Other aspects influencing performance of the system were evaluated, including plug dispersion, flocculation kinetics, membrane degradation, and channel clogging. The microfluidic approach described here permits asphaltene content measurement in less than 30 min as opposed to days required with traditional gravimetric techniques. This many-fold reduction in measurement time will enable more frequent characterization of crude oil samples.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ac400495x | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Fungal Extracellular Enzymes from spp. as Promising Candidates for Extra-Heavy Oil Degradation and Enhanced Oil Recovery.
Microorganisms
November 2024
Xinjiang Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Karamay 834000, China.
Heavy crude oil (HCO) and extra-heavy crude oil (EHCO) with high viscosity and density pose enormous challenges to the exploitation of oil reserves. While bacteria are increasingly used in biocatalytic upgrading of HCO and EHCO, less attention has been paid to the potential of fungi. The aim of this study was to ascertain the role of fungal extracellular enzymes from spp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of Microheterogeneous Wettability and Pore-Throat Structure on Asphaltene Precipitation in Tight Sandstone: Results from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
ACS Omega
November 2024
State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Department of Geology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
The pore throat structure and microheterogeneous wettability of tight sandstone reservoirs are complex, which leads to varying asphaltene precipitation locations, contents, and distributions in different pores during CO flooding. Clarifying the heterogeneous wettability of different pore throat structures and their effects on asphaltene precipitation and adsorption is crucial for improving CO displacement efficiency. A series of experiments were conducted in this study, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), cast thin section (CTS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), environmental scanning electron microscopy (E-SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and CO flooding experiments, to investigate the pore structure complexity of tight sandstone reservoirs of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, China.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOptimizing in-situ upgrading of heavy crude oil via catalytic aquathermolysis using a novel graphene oxide-copper zinc ferrite nanocomposite as a catalyst.
Sci Rep
October 2024
Petroleum Engineering and Gas Technology Department, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, British University in Egypt (BUE), El Sherouk City, Cairo, Egypt.
Unconventional resources, such as heavy oil, are increasingly being explored and exploited due to the declining availability of conventional petroleum resources. Heavy crude oil poses challenges in production, transportation, and refining, due to its high viscosity, low API gravity, and elevated sulfur and metal content. Improving the quality of heavy oil can be achieved through the application of steam injection, which lowers the oil's viscosity and enhances its flow.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpacts of Waste Rubber Products on the Structure and Properties of Modified Asphalt Binder: Part I-Crumb Rubber.
Materials (Basel)
September 2024
Research Center «MGSU Stroy-Test», National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering, Moscow 129337, Russia.
The issue of forming a reliable and sustainable structure of crumb-rubber-modified binder is an important scientific and technical task. The quality of this task will increase the technical and economic efficiencies of road construction materials. This work is dedicated to developing a scientifically justified method of directed thermomechanical devulcanization, which ensures the solubility of the crumb rubber in the complex structure of a polydisperse composite material, preventing the formation of aggregates consisting of unsaturated crumb rubber particles, whose elastic aftereffect causes intensive cracking, especially during low-temperature road operations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSynthesis of a novel carbon-based nano-emulsifier and its application in viscosity reduction of emulsified Jurassic oil in the Sichuan Basin.
RSC Adv
October 2024
State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University Chengdu 610500 China
Article Synopsis
- Scientists studied how to mix crude oil from the Jurassic formation in the Sichuan Basin to make it less thick.
- They created a special nano-emulsifier called GOPH using graphene oxide, which helped to mix oil and water better.
- By using GOPH, they found a way to make the oil much less thick (91.6% thinner) while keeping it stable when mixed with water.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!