Evaluation of Asphaltene Remediation Using Microemulsion Formulations in a Porous Media Microfluidic Device

Abstract

This article presents a comparison of the efficiency of d-limonene to other solvent-based microemulsions (MEs) for the removal of asphaltene deposits using a dual-permeability porous media microfluidic device. The dynamics of removal of the deposited asphaltenes were analyzed using optical microscopy and in situ pressure-drop measurements. All MEs tested showed a higher asphaltene removal efficiency when compared to the control ME formulation, a surfactant package without a solvent. The amount and rate of asphaltene removal were strongly dependent on the type and amount of solvent contained within the ME. The dynamics of the asphaltene removal for the most effective formulations were fit to a pseudosecond-order desorption kinetic model. The results support a mechanism wherein the MEs solubilize the asphaltene deposits.