| The effect of novel ZnO/CNT and hydrophilic functionalized nanocomposites on the reduction of viscosity of heavy oil for application in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) |
| Paper ID : 1200-UFGNSM-FULL |
| Authors: |
|
mohammad majidiahoee1, zahra fakhroueian2, Mohammad Taghi sadeghi *3 1Process simulation and control Lab. chemical Engineering collage, Iran University of Science
and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran. 2P.O. box:11155-4563, Tehran, Iran. 3Process simulation and control Lab. School of Chemical Engineering, Oil and Gas University of Science and Technology (IUST), Narmak, Tehran, Iran |
| Abstract: |
| Due to several reasons, oil reservoirs face increased viscosity, and one of the factors that could help Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), is reducing the viscosity of heavy oil. In this research, new ZnO/CNT and their hydrophilic functionalized nanocomposites as various nanofluids in water based solutions have been used for the first time in EOR process. The soroush heavy oil field (viscosity 402 cp, at 80°C) was used and studied in this work along with applying new various formulation of ZnO/CNT nanofluids. ZnO on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT, 8-12 nm) has been synthesized by coprecipitation-hydrothermal method then the surface of nanocomposite has been modified by using important reagents such as amine( decreased to 33.74 cp) and carboxylic acid (oleic acid, decreased to 50.15 cp) in water-based ecofriendly solution. Next, the different nanofluids have been injected individually (as single) and combined nanoformulations using emulsifier, fatty acids, alcohol and suitable polar solvents in various concentrations into heavy oil. Our results showed that the reduction of heavy oil from 400 cp in 80° C to 93.4 cp and 61.2 cp using only ZnO and CNT nanoparticles (NPs). While, the viscosity reduced to 26.3 cp by ZnO/CNT nanocomposites without applying pressure and temperature. In addition, we also considered and examined different factors including various concentrations, pH, aging time and mixing or unmixing procedure in different distilled water and North Sea water for conditions of reservoir's temperature and pressure (field test). The main aim of this research might help to reduce of heavy oil viscosity by new nanocomposites in water based solution without of using traditional common nonpolar solvent (toluene, xylene, heptane and hexane) in high temperature and pressure in oil industry. Electrostatic interaction, high diffusion and strong penetration of nanoparticles towards the heavy oil can be given performance of mechanism in this approach. |
| Keywords: |
| Nanocomposites, ZnO/CNT, Reduction of viscosity, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), Surface Functionalized, Hydrophilic Surface of NPs. Heavy Oil. Hydrothermal method, electrostatic interaction. |
| Status : Paper Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
