A mechanistic study of the synergistic and counter effects of ultrasonic and solvent treatment on the rheology and asphaltene structure of heavy crude oil
Qajar J. Razavifar M. Riazi M.
January 2024Elsevier B.V.
Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification
2024#195
Production from heavy oil reservoirs faces challenges, such as accumulating heavy hydrocarbon materials like asphaltenes near the wellbore, resulting in low recovery rates. To enhance recovery and prevent formation damage, methods often focus on reducing oil viscosity. Solvents and ultrasonic waves have proven effective in this regard, though challenges related to asphaltene aggregation and structural changes persist. This study explores the impact of simultaneously applying ultrasonic radiation and solvents on crude oils viscosity and asphaltene structure. Toluene and n-heptane, representing aromatic and paraffinic solvents, were employed. Viscosity measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy tests were conducted on sonicated crude oil diluted with solvents and solvent-diluted crude oil subjected to sonication. Results were compared to untreated and separately treated crude oil samples. The study found that the most effective viscosity reduction method involved blending sonicated oil with toluene under optimal radiation time and concentration conditions. Two primary mechanisms for viscosity reduction were identified. Firstly, there was the dissolution and aggregation of asphaltene clusters. Secondly, chemical changes in asphaltene molecular structure were observed, altering the ratio of aromatic rings to aliphatic chains. This research offers potential insights into how ultrasonication and solvation interact to modify crude oil structure.
Asphaltene aggregates , FTIR spectra , Heavy oil , Solvent , Ultrasonic radiation , Viscosity reduction
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
Department of Petroleum Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Centre, IOR/EOR Research Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Department of Earth Sciences
Department of Petroleum Engineering
Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
School of Mining and Geosciences
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Centre
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026