Characterizing Asphaltene Related Flow Assurance Problems with Microfluidics

dc.contributor.advisorBiswal, Sibani Lisaen_US
dc.creatorZhang, Zhuqingen_US
dc.date.accessioned2022-09-26T15:29:40Zen_US
dc.date.created2022-05en_US
dc.date.issued2022-04-22en_US
dc.date.submittedMay 2022en_US
dc.date.updated2022-09-26T15:29:40Zen_US
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.en_US
dc.embargo.lift2024-05-01en_US
dc.embargo.terms2024-05-01en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
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>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/113365en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
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.en_US
dc.subjectAsphalteneen_US
dc.subjectMicrofluidicsen_US
dc.titleCharacterizing Asphaltene Related Flow Assurance Problems with Microfluidicsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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