Browsing by Author "Nguyen, Thao Vy Vo"

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    Microfluidic Approach to Characterizing Asphaltene Deposition, Mitigation, and Remediation
    (2024-04-11) Nguyen, Thao Vy Vo; Biswal, Sibani Lisa
    Crude oils are complex mixtures of organic molecules, of which asphaltenes are the heaviest component. Asphaltene deposition poses significant challenges for the oil and gas industry, leading to reduced production, operational disruptions, and equipment fouling. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of asphaltenes and their behavior under various conditions. This thesis presents a novel microfluidic approach to characterize asphaltene deposition phenomena and evaluate the different asphaltene mitigation and remediation techniques. Through precise control and manipulation of flow conditions at the microscale, the microfluidic platform enables the mimicking of flows at reservoir conditions while providing a high degree of experimental control and reproducibility. The first part of this thesis will focus on the characterization of asphaltene deposition in the presence of emulsified brine. Utilizing advanced imaging capability, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing the deposition dynamics of asphaltene with and without the presence of water. Building upon this characterization, the subsequent section investigates the efficacy of different asphaltene mitigation and remediation strategies, including the uses of nanoparticle coating and d-Limonene-based microemulsions. Through systematic experimentation and analysis, we evaluate the performance of these strategies with different crude oils and explore their potential for field applications. Overall, this thesis contributes to advancing our understanding of asphaltene aggregation and deposition behaviors and provides valuable insights into the development of innovative mitigation and remediation strategies. The insights from this research have the potential to guide the development of more sustainable and efficient solutions to manage asphaltenes-associated challenges within the industry.