Characterizing Asphaltene Related Flow Assurance Problems with Microfluidics

dc.contributor.advisorBiswal, Sibani Lisa
dc.creatorZhang, Zhuqing
dc.date.accessioned2022-09-26T15:29:40Z
dc.date.created2022-05
dc.date.issued2022-04-22
dc.date.submittedMay 2022
dc.date.updated2022-09-26T15:29:40Z
dc.descriptionEMBARGO NOTE: This item is embargoed until 2024-05-01
dc.description.abstractAsphaltene deposition and emulsion plugging are significant contributors to oil production and transportation flow assurance problems. A better understanding of the physicochemical aspects of asphaltenes, such as their interfacial and transport properties, is required to better design industrial macroscale processes. Microfluidics has emerged as a new method to evaluate complex fluid flow in confined geometries. Also, microfluidic devices can capture the critical characteristics of reservoir rocks and provide novel insights into the transport, reactions, and chemical interactions governing fluids used in the oil and gas industry. Dual-perm and natural porous mimic microfluidic designs are applied to represent various flow conditions typically found in oil flow processes. High efficient, economically feasible solutions, including non-toxic microemulsion formulations, polymer-grafted nanoparticles, and chemical inhibitors, are designed for asphaltene mitigation and remediation. Furthermore, the organization of asphaltenes on interfaces is studied, using asphaltene mimic molecules as a comparison to natural asphaltenes to better understand emulsion stability. We provide insight to better design industrial treatment for crude oil demulsification and oil-water separation through a deeper understanding of asphaltene behaviors at interfaces.
dc.embargo.lift2024-05-01
dc.embargo.terms2024-05-01
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationZhang, Zhuqing. "Characterizing Asphaltene Related Flow Assurance Problems with Microfluidics." (2022) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/113365">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/113365</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/113365
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectAsphaltene
dc.subjectMicrofluidics
dc.titleCharacterizing Asphaltene Related Flow Assurance Problems with Microfluidics
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineering
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
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