Abstract
Silicate scaling tends to form and be aggravated during high pH Alkaline Surfactant Polymer (ASP) floods and this silicate scale deposition affects oil production. Hence, it is important to examine the conditions that lead to silicate scale forming. The severity of the silicate scaling reaction, the type and morphology of silica/silicate scale formed in an experimental ASP flood were studied for pH values 5, 8.5, and 11, whilst the temperature was kept constant at 90 ℃. In addition, the impact of calcium ion was studied and spectroscopic analyses were used to identify the extent of scaling reaction, morphology type and the functional group present in the precipitates. This was performed using imagery of the generated precipitates. It was observed that the silica/silicate scale is most severe at the highest pH and Ca:Mg molar ratios examined. Magnesium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide were observed to precipitate along with the silica and Mg-silicate/Ca-silicate scale at pH 11. The presence of calcium ions altered the morphology of the precipitates formed from amorphous to microcrystalline/crystalline. In conclusion, pH affects the type, morphology, and severity of the silica/silicate scale produced in the studied scaling system. The comprehensive and conclusive data showing how pH affects the silicate scaling reaction reported here are vital in providing the foundation to further investigate the management and prevention of this silicate scaling. Copyright © 2022 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.