Application of a non-ionic bio-surfactant instead of chemical additives for prevention of the permeability impairment of a swelling sandstone oil reservoir

Formation damage is a general term, which refers to any process that reduces the production or injectivity of an oil well. Clay swelling formation damage, due to incompatible fluid invasion, is a common problem in the petroleum industry. In this research, the effect of Acanthophyllum root extract (ACRE), a bio-based surfactant, on the reduction in reservoir permeability impairment has been studied. Some static tests were applied to investigate the chemical interaction between the surfactant and montmorillonite (Mt), including Mt sedimentation test, Free swelling index (FSI) test, Zeta potential tests, particle size measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experiments were followed by coreflood and micromodel tests to verify their effect on preventing permeability reduction and pore plugging in porous media. According to the results, Mt dispersion is unstable in the presence of ACRE solution. ACRE can reduce the FSI from 233.3 (totally hydrated Mt) to 94.3%, representing the reduction in hydration potential. The zeta potential of Mt in ACRE aqueous solution moves toward the lowest magnitude, implying that the water molecules surrounding the Mt particles are unstable. Particle size measurement and SEM analysis proved simultaneously that ACRE solution sustains Mt particles flocculated and prevents delamination. The thermal stability of the ACRE was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and it showed a suitable resistance to the temperature rise. Eventually, coreflood and micromodel tests revealed that ACRE has a high performance in lowering the permeability impairment and pore plugging. All in all, ACRE showed high potential in preventing Mt swelling and, therefore, formation damage in clay-bearing sandstones.

Relationship between Chamosite Alteration and Fe-Plugging in Sandstone Pores during Acid In Situ Leaching of Uranium

Sandstone pore-plugging is a serious problem that bothers acid in situ leaching (ISL) uranium deposit, but currently, the mechanism of pore-plugging has not attracted much attention. In this study, using X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope, optical microscope, and X-ray diffraction, we present both macro- and micro-evidence of pore-plugging occurred during acid in situ mining of sandstone uranium deposit at Yili Basin, NW (northwest) China. Our study reveals that in comparison with normal sandstones, the plugged sandstones are yellow in color and have relatively high contents of Fe and chamosite. The plugging in studied samples is mainly caused by precipitation of Fe(OH)3 at a pH of 2.0–4.0 for quantitative effect and by precipitation of gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) as well. Alteration/dissolution of chamosite and to a lesser extent, Fe-bearing microcline and muscovite, may have contributed iron for Fe(OH)3 precipitation. It is suggested that adjustment of injection pH < 2.0 throughout the leaching passage would be an effective way to avoid/minimize this type of sandstone pore-plugging.

Dendritic growth of protein gel in the course of sweat pore plugging by aluminium salts under physiological conditions

Are aluminium ions unavoidable in antiperspirants? To further the question, we present confocal microscopy images of dendritic plug appearing in sweat flowing across a microfluidic channel in presence of aluminium...

Preparation and Evaluation of Nanocomposite Sodalite/α-Al2O3 Tubular Membranes for H2/CO2 Separation

Nanocomposite sodalite/ceramic membranes supported on α-Al2O3 tubular support were prepared via the pore-plugging hydrothermal (PPH) synthesis protocol using one interruption and two interruption steps. In parallel, thin-film membranes were prepared via the direct hydrothermal synthesis technique. The as-synthesized membranes were evaluated for H2/CO2 separation in the context of pre-combustion CO2 capture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to check the surface morphology while x-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to check the crystallinity of the sodalite crystals and as-synthesized membranes. Single gas permeation of H2, CO2, N2 and mixture gas H2/CO2 was used to probe the quality of the membranes. Gas permeation results revealed nanocomposite membrane prepared via the PPH synthesis protocols using two interruption steps displayed the best performance. This was attributed to the enhanced pore-plugging effect of sodalite crystals in the pores of the support after the second interruption step. The nanocomposite membrane displayed H2 permeance of 7.97 × 10−7 mol·s−1·m−2·Pa−1 at 100 °C and 0.48 MPa feed pressure with an ideal selectivity of 8.76. Regarding H2/CO2 mixture, the H2 permeance reduced from 8.03 × 10−7 mol·s−1·m−2·Pa−1 to 1.06 × 10−7 mol·s−1·m−2·Pa−1 at 25 °C and feed pressure of 0.18 MPa. In the presence of CO2, selectivity of the nanocomposite membrane reduced to 4.24.