TY - JOUR

T1 - Characterization of asphaltene deposition process in flow loop apparatus; An experimental investigation and modeling approach

AU - Ghahfarokhi, Ali Khorram

AU - Kor, Peyman

AU - Kharrat, Riyaz

AU - Soulgani, Bahram Soltani

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2017/1/5

Y1 - 2017/1/5

N2 - This paper describes the results of experimental tests in co-injection of precipitant agent/oil through a flow-loop setup to measure and characterize the deposition of precipitated asphaltenes along in-line test section. To do this, a novel experimental flow loop setup was designed and constructed to carry out the turbulent flow of oil (Re up to ≈7500) at desired oil-precipitant volumetric dilution ratio (DR), volumetric rate of flow and radial temperature gradient of the test section. Since the formation of deposit layer makes it difficult for the oil flow along the tube, change in pressure difference across the test section of setup was recorded along the time to measure the amount and extent of deposition process at desired condition. The experimental results revealed that, while radial temperature gradient of tube does not affect deposition process much, increasing the velocity of fluid across the tube further sweeps the precipitated particles from vicinity of wall before they have enough time to stick in contrary to oil-precipitant ratio; where the deposition rate is enhanced with increasing DR. Furthermore, these observations were thoroughly analyzed and with utilizing the concept of deposition efficiency, a new mathematical model proposed and verified for prediction of asphaltene deposition rate. The results of this work provide better insight into dynamics of asphaltene deposition and could create a better framework for conducting forthcoming experiments and developing new models of asphaltene deposition in pipelines.

AB - This paper describes the results of experimental tests in co-injection of precipitant agent/oil through a flow-loop setup to measure and characterize the deposition of precipitated asphaltenes along in-line test section. To do this, a novel experimental flow loop setup was designed and constructed to carry out the turbulent flow of oil (Re up to ≈7500) at desired oil-precipitant volumetric dilution ratio (DR), volumetric rate of flow and radial temperature gradient of the test section. Since the formation of deposit layer makes it difficult for the oil flow along the tube, change in pressure difference across the test section of setup was recorded along the time to measure the amount and extent of deposition process at desired condition. The experimental results revealed that, while radial temperature gradient of tube does not affect deposition process much, increasing the velocity of fluid across the tube further sweeps the precipitated particles from vicinity of wall before they have enough time to stick in contrary to oil-precipitant ratio; where the deposition rate is enhanced with increasing DR. Furthermore, these observations were thoroughly analyzed and with utilizing the concept of deposition efficiency, a new mathematical model proposed and verified for prediction of asphaltene deposition rate. The results of this work provide better insight into dynamics of asphaltene deposition and could create a better framework for conducting forthcoming experiments and developing new models of asphaltene deposition in pipelines.

KW - Asphaltene

KW - Deposition

KW - Flow assurance

KW - Precipitation

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027938557&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.petrol.2017.01.009

DO - 10.1016/j.petrol.2017.01.009

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85027938557

VL - 151.2017

SP - 330

EP - 340

JO - Journal of petroleum science and engineering

JF - Journal of petroleum science and engineering

SN - 0920-4105

IS - March

ER -