High-viscosity Oil Research Articles

ACID OIL-DISPLACING COMPOSITION OF PROLONGED ACTION BASED ON DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENTS

To enhance oil recovery and intensify the development of fields with hard-to-recover reserves, including the deposits of high-viscosity oils, acid oil-displacing compositions with prolonged action have been developed on the principles of green chemistry using the method of deep eutectic solvents (DES). These compositions are based on surfactants and an adduct of inorganic acid, polyol and carbamide. As a result of experimental studies of acid-base equilibria in three-component systems with donor-acceptor interactions “boric acid - carbamide - polyol (glycerol, pentaerythritol)”, which are DES, the optimal compositions and concentration ranges of the components in acid compositions were determined. The results of laboratory studies and pilot tests of enhanced oil recovery technology with the use of acid compositions are presented. The compositions are compatible with mineralized formation waters, have a low freezing point ((-20)-(-50) °С) or a solid commodity form, low interfacial tension at the boundary with oil, are applicable in a wide temperature range (from 10 to 200 °C), provide effective oil displacement and prolonged impact on the formation. The acid GBA composition showed high efficiency under field conditions during pilot work in the experimental areas of the Permian-Carboniferous deposit of high-viscosity oil of the Usinsk oil field, developed under natural conditions and under thermal steam exposure, and was recommended for industrial use. The technology is environmentally friendly and technologically efficient. The industrial use of technologies for enhanced oil recovery and intensification of oil production is promising, which will make it possible to extend the profitable operation of fields at a late stage of development, to involve the fields with hard-to-recover oil reserves into development, in particular the deposits of high-viscosity oils, in a wide range of climatic conditions, including the northern regions and the Arctic.

Dropwise Condensation in Ambient on a Depleted Lubricant-Infused Surface.

Durability of a lubricant-infused surface (LIS) is critical for heat transfer, especially in condensation-based applications. Although LIS promotes dropwise condensation, each departing droplet condensate acts as a lubricant-depleting agent due to the formation of wetting ridge and cloaking layer around the condensate, thus gradually leading to drop pinning on the underlying rough topography. Condensation heat transfer further deteriorates in the presence of non-condensable gases (NCGs) requiring special experimental arrangements to eliminate NCGs due to a decrease in the availability of nucleation sites. To address these issues while simultaneously improving heat-transfer performance of LIS in condensation-based systems, we report fabrication of both fresh LIS and a lubricant-depleted LIS using silicon porous nanochannel wicks as an underlying substrate. Strong capillarity in the nanochannels helps retain silicone oil (polydimethylsiloxane) on the surface even after it is severely depleted under tap water. The effect of oil viscosity was investigated for drop mobility and condensation heat transfer under ambient conditions, i.e., in the presence of NCGs. While fresh LIS prepared using 5 cSt silicone oil exhibited a low roll-off angle (∼1°) and excellent water drop (5 μL) sliding velocity ∼66 mm s-1, it underwent rapid depletion as compared to higher viscosity oils. Condensation performed on depleted nanochannel LIS with higher viscosity oil (50 cSt) resulted in a heat-transfer coefficient (HTC) of ∼2.33 kW m-2 K-1, which is a ∼162% improvement over flat Si-LIS (50 cSt). Such LIS promote fast drop shedding as is evident from the little change in the fraction of drops with diameter <500 μm from ∼98% to only ∼93% after 4 h of condensation. Improvement in HTC was also seen in condensation experiments conducted for 3 days where a steady HTC of ∼1.46 kW m-2 K-1 was achieved over the last 2 days. The ability of reported LIS to maintain long-term hydrophobicity and dropwise condensation will aid in designing condensation-based systems with improved heat-transfer performance.

PROSPECTIVE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL METHODS OF INCREASING THE RECOVERY (EOR) FOR OIL FIELDS WITH THE CATEGORY OF HARD-TO-EXTRACT OILS

It is known that many technologies to improve the oil recovery factor in fields at a late stage of development are being used. However, there are no universal technologies that ensure the effective displacement of residual oil in the reservoir by changing the filtration and volumetric parameters of rocks and the rheological properties of fluids depending on the geological characteristics of the reservoirs. In the article, based on the analysis of well-known works carried out on the selection of the appropriate oil for displacement oil in the reservoir, taking into account changes in some reservoir parameters, research work was conductedwith the purpose to prepare a new composition. The question of searching for a composition capable of maintaining oil-displacing properties at different temperatures in reservoir conditions, not changing its viscosity at large temperature differences, and also capable of retaining the properties of removing oil particles absorbed there from the surface in contact with the reservoir is relevant. the surface of the rock was examined by laboratory studies. The viscosities of the found composition at various temperatures were determined using a viscometer, and the optimal composition with a stable viscosity was determined by replacing the components with numerous laboratory experiments. Under laboratory conditions, the process of displacement of oil under various compositions with a slug of the composition at different temperatures was carried out. The results obtained are satisfactory, and the effective behavior of the composition at bed temperatures of 30-80 0C has been experimentally confirmed. If we take into account that the compositions injected into the reservoir undergo certain changes under the influence of reservoir temperature and pressure, then certain changes in its properties will inevitably occur when the composition comes into contact with reservoir fluids. Therefore, the ability of the prepared composition to form a precipitate or gel upon contact with various formation waters was also studied. The results of laboratory studies of physical and chemical technologies for enhanced oil recovery in fields treated by water injection and thermochemical treatment are presented. These technologies can be used in reservoirs with hard-to-recover reserves of high-viscosity oil. Keywords: viscosity, residual reserve, bed, surfactant, gel, oil displacer.

Multifunctional hydrophobic bio-based foam toward highly efficient photothermal cleanup of high-viscosity crude oil spills, oil-water separation and aqueous organic pollutant elimination

The environmentally friendly and efficient remediation of crude oil spills is a global challenge due to its high viscosity and low fluidity at room temperature. Herein, we reported a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modified biomass carbon fibers foam immobilized with Ag2O@Ag nanoparticles via the self-assembly, freeze-drying, carbonization, and hydrophobic modification processes (denoted as PAAC). The resulting PAAC foam exhibited excellent hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 147.8◦), high solar absorption capacity and excellent photothermal conversion property, which enable it to decrease the viscosity of heavy oil and achieve high adsorption capacity of heavy crude oil (60.5 g/g) and great reusable performances under 0.3 sun energy drive. In addition, the PAAC foam showed excellent adsorption capacity to organic solvents and low viscosity oils (11.3–26.4 g/g). Under visible-light irradiation, PAAC foam exhibited remarkable photocatalytic efficiency for removing crystal violet and demonstrated high stability and photocatalytic activity after five consecutive cycles. The proposed design of a solar heated sorbent presents a new potential to explore multifunctional biomass materials to solve environmental pollution problems on a large scale.

Hydrophobic sandwich-like PVDF/rGO/PDMS composite membrane with fast electrothermal/photothermal response for crude oil removal

Functional membranes with electrothermal/photothermal effects are considered an effective method for separating water/viscous crude oil mixtures. However, the loading of photothermal and electrothermal particles in polymeric membranes with poor compatibility will deteriorate the membrane performance, leading to the unstable photothermal/electrothermal effects. Therefore, we prepared a hydrophobic sandwich structure polyvinylidene fluoride/reduced graphene oxide/polydimethylsiloxane (PVDF/rGO/PDMS) composite membrane using a two-step electrospinning process, which improved the binding force between the photothermal/electrothermal particles and the matrix with the composite membrane exhibiting super fast electric heating and photothermal effect. The temperature of the composite membrane surface rapidly reached to 162.5 °C within 30 s at 25 V. In addition, the addition of graphene (GO) improved the mechanical properties of the composite membrane. Meantime, the composite membrane possessed stable hydrophobicity and lipophilicity, which was beneficial for separating water/viscous crude oil mixtures. Owing to the controllable pore structure and special wetting behavior, the water-in-oil emulsion was successfully separated. Importantly, the separation rates of the water/crude oil mixtures under the electrothermal effect was 2340 kg·m−2·h−1·bar−1. Thus, this study provides a new method for preparing hydrophobic sandwich-like PVDF/rGO/PDMS composite membrane with electrothermal/photothermal effects, which has significant potential for engineering applications in high-viscosity crude oil removal and water-in-oil emulsion separation.

Sonochemical transportation technology high viscous oil

The work is devoted to one of the urgent problems of the oil and gas complex - the transportation of high-viscosity oils. The object of the study was the high-viscosity high-sulphur mixed oil of the Ashalchinskoye field. The sonochemical treatment of oil made it possible to reduce the effective viscosity by 35-40% and the pour point by 15-20 °C. Pilot tests of the developed unit and sonochemical technology have shown the possibility of reducing the load on pumping stations of main pipelines, reducing the number of hot oil pumping stations, and reducing the amount of emissions of organic sulfur compounds into the atmosphere. Keywords: high-viscosity oil; petroleum dispersed systems; ultrasound; pour point depres-sants; sonochemical effect; effective viscosity; pour point.

A Numerical Approach to Characterize the Efficiency of Cyclone Separator

Cyclone separators are active filtering devices suitable for a variety of industrial applications from conventional cutting oil pumps to recycling liquids. Since the vortex flow inside cyclones is highly complicated, the performance and flow patterns of these filters should be thoroughly researched. Liquid–solid cyclones mostly use water. Numerical studies on cyclones using higher-viscosity oils are limited. In this study, a liquid–solid cyclone injected with medium-viscosity cutting oil containing various sized-particles was comprehensively investigated. The reliability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods was verified through a comparison with the experimental results. Three models with different geometries were considered for the analysis. One model was used for CFD verification. The other two models involved adding sockets for hopper length extension and changing the shape of the bottom of the hopper. The models that changed the shape of the hopper, thus directly affecting the cyclone performance, were investigated, and each model was qualitatively compared using a validated method. In addition, particle separation efficiency was evaluated by focusing on the velocity distribution to quantitatively confirm the influence of changing the shape of the hopper. The tangential velocity was determined to be similar across all three models, while the axial velocity was different and the change in the velocity of transport of the particles affected the filter function.

Cold Cracking Technology for Crude Oil Upgrading in Qaiyarah Heavy Oil Field; Technical and Economical Evaluation

Heavy oil is classified as unconventional oil resource because of its difficulty to recover in its natural state, difficulties in transport and difficulties in marketing it. Upgrading solution to the heavy oil has positive impact technically and economically specially when it will be a competitive with conventional oils from the marketing prospective. Developing Qaiyarah heavy oil field was neglected in the last five decades, the main reason was due to the low quality of the crude oil resulted in the high viscosity and density of the crude oil in the field which was and still a major challenge putting them on the major stream line of production in Iraq. The low quality of the crude properties led to lower oil prices in the global markets as well as the high operation cost of production and transportation. The purpose of this paper is testing new technology applications on an Iraqi Heavy Oil Field and specifically (Qaiyarah Oil Field) by applying the cold cracking technique to upgrade Qaiyarah heavy oil properties through using series of electrical/ mechanical activities applied on the heavy crude that generates special kind of vibrations to re-structure the (H-C) bonds in the heavy oil to convert it to lighter crude with lower viscosity/ density which was the outcome of the distillation by reducing the unsaturated components and isolating the minerals and sulfur as sold components. The results were very optimistic, where the density has improved from 16 to 30.5 API degree, sulfur content has reduced from 6.4 to 1.507 weight percent and selling price per barrel would increase by 53% compare to 2.31% cost increment due to the upgrading operation. Therefore, applying the cold cracking technology is convenience for improving Qaiyarah oil properties as the main production stream line will be increased in Iraq.

A superhydrophobic/superoleophilic rGO modified melamine sponge for efficient oil sorption under static, continous and photothermal condition

Sponges have been widely studied as common adsorbent materials. There is little research on sponges that can be used for comprehensive treatment of oil-water mixtures, emulsions and high viscosity oils. We prepared a graphene melamine sponge (rGOMS) adsorbent material with special wettability for oil water separation by loading rGO on melamine sponge. The results showed that the water contact angle of the rGOMS prepared with GO concentration of 4.5 mol/mL (4.5-rGOMS) was 153.3° and the oil contact angle in air was 0°, indicating that 4.5-rGOMS has superhydrophobicity and superlipophilicity. The 4.5-rGOMS possessed a high saturation sorption capacity, which had values between 54.6 g/g and 132.9 g/g, and did not decrease significantly after several cycles. 4.5-rGOMS had a fast separation capacity for carbon tetrachloride/water mixtures and water-in-oil emulsions, and could achieve efficient continuous separation of n-hexane-water mixtures by connecting a peristaltic pump.

High-Viscosity Crude Oil. A Review

The current problem of the production and processing of heavy high-viscosity oils in Ukraine and the world has been considered. It has been established that the main reserves of heavy high-viscosity crude oils in the world are located in South and North America, in the Middle East, as well as in Ukraine in the eastern regions. An analysis of various classifications of heavy high-viscosity oils, which are used both in Ukraine and in the world, was carried out. The main extraction methods of heavy high-viscosity oils were considered, in particular, quarry, mine, and well extraction methods. An overview of the technological processes of heavy high-viscosity oil processing was carried out.

Base lubricants for green stamping: The effects of their structure and viscosity on tribological performance

The requirements for green and sustainable manufacturing mean that stamping lubricants must be continuously re-evaluated and re-designed. In this investigation, the tribological performance of four base oils with different chemical structures (paraffinic and naphthenic) and viscosities (2 and 20 cSt), as well as water, was evaluated for the stamping of steel sheets and compared with a non-lubricated contact. Most lubricants reduce the coefficient of friction and maintain a similar wear coefficient for steel sheets as in dry contacts. Low-viscosity (LV) naphthenic oil performs very like both high-viscosity (HV) oils. A surprising exception is the LV paraffinic oil, with several-times-higher friction and wear compared to dry contact. This is due to the excellent wetting-spreading and very low cohesion forces that enable oil to escape from extremely thin-film contacts because the viscosity is so low, leading to lubricant starvation. In contrast, HV oils provide a sufficiently thick lubricating film, while strong cohesive forces help in the film’s strength, lessening wear, and reducing friction. In thin-film lubrication with LV oils, such as when stamping, it is thus extremely important that the lubricant’s wetting behaviour and viscosity are sufficient to provide enough film in the contact and prevent starvation, thus ensuring lower friction, less wear, and a longer lifetime of the contact.

Photothermal ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/MXene aerogel for crude oil adsorption and water evaporation

The frequent oil spill accidents during oil exploration and transportation have caused large economic loss and catastrophic environmental disasters. Due to low cost and simplicity, adsorption and filtration materials are often chosen to deal with oil spills, but the outcomes are not satisfactory mainly because of the awfully high viscosity of crude oil. Herein a photothermal ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/MXene composite aerogel with a high light absorption (99.97%) and water repellency (water contact angle >148°) is developed by thermally induced phase separation method. The composite aerogel endows durable hydrophobicity with which the water contact angle is more than 142° in acidic/alkaline environments, and the maximum absorption capacity of 81 g g−1. In addition, it exhibits an excellent photothermal performance, rising surface temperature to 70 °C within 60 s under 1 sun irradiation, that can drastically reduce the crude oil absorption time from 60 min to 60 s, saving 98% of absorption time and reaching a crude oil absorption capacity of 21 g g−1. More interestingly, the designed solar evaporation device with the obtained composite aerogel can achieve an evaporation rate of 1.15 kg m−2h−1 and evaporation efficiency of 74%. The designed composite aerogel opens a possible pathway for solar-powered crude oil adsorption applications.

PROSPECTS OF USING THE CAVITATION PHENOMENON IN OIL REFINING

Over the past decades, the balance of hydrocarbon production shows a rising trend of production heavy, high-viscosity oil. Their transportation and refining involves higher energy costs, which can be reduced by using the innovative oil treatment method based on the creation of the cavitation phenomenon. It should be noted that the information about the change in oil characteristics as a result of cavitation treatment is contradictory. This also applies to the nature of the change in the properties and the stability of these changes over time. In some cases, the different nature of the changes is associated with the group composition of the samples. This paper is devoted to the study of the influence of cavitation oil treatment of different nature on their fractional composition and characteristics of individual fractions. Here was an attempt to determine the optimal time of fractionation of oil (after processing) in order to obtain the greatest output of light fractions. Heavy and light oil from the Ilsk field (Krasnodar Krai) were selected as the research subjects. The study of the influence of the treatment conditions on the viscosity of oil products was carried out on the sample of straight-run fuel oil (SRFO) provided by AO «Gazpromneft - MNPZ», obtained at the ELOU-AVT-6 unit. Cavitation processing of samples was carried out in the apparatus of HPH «Donor-2». The density of the samples and their fractions were determined according to GOST 3900-85 «Oil and petroleum products. Methods for the determination of the density». Fractional composition of petroleum in accordance with GOST 2177-99 «Petroleum products. Methods of determination of fractional composition». Vacuum distillation was used to determine the fractional composition of dark petroleum products. Kinematic viscosity was determined by GOST 33-2016. The conducted researches have shown the prospect of using the cavitation phenomenon in oil refining processes. It is possible to change (reduce) the viscosity of the oil product, to increase the yield of fractions with lower boiling points by using this phenomenon. The efficiency of the treatment increases with the increase in the density of the oil product. The results do not confirm information about the post-effect of cavitation treatment of petroleum products, when changes in the characteristics of the sample continue for some time after refining. By measuring the viscosity of the fuel oil sample, it is shown that the relaxation of the characteristics begins after treatment and it is most noticeable during the first 5 days after treatment. This allows us to recommend to treatment the sample immediately prior to fractionation. It should also be noted that as a result of cavitation treatment, not only dark but also light petroleum fractions are affected, and in all of these fractions along destruction and isomerization reactions, there are also processes of compaction.

Processing of heavy high-viscosity oil mixtures from the eastern region of Ukraine: technological aspects

The article presents an analysis of reserves and processing of heavy high-viscosity crude oils in Ukraine and the world. A study of the physicochemical properties of heavy high-viscosity oils from the Yablunivske field, Poltava region of Ukraine, taken from various wells was conducted. For further research in order to develop a basic manufacturing scheme for the processing of heavy high-viscosity oils, a mixture of heavy high-viscosity oils from the Yablunivske field was used in certain ratios and its physicochemical properties were determined. As a result of the vacuum distillation of a mixture of heavy high-viscosity oils, the following products were obtained: broad gasoline fraction (fraction boiled up to 2000C), broad diesel fraction (fraction 200–3600C) and the rest of the process (fraction &gt;3600C). An analysis of the physicochemical properties of the prepared fractions was also carried out. It was established that the products obtained from the mixture of heavy high-viscosity oils of the Yablunivske field can be used as raw materials for the production of commercial gasoline and diesel fuels. The rest of the process can serve as raw materials for the production of road bitumen. According to the analysis of the physicochemical properties of the products obtained by vacuum distillation of a mixture of heavy high-viscosity oils, the basics of the processing technology of a mixture of heavy high-viscosity oils of the Yablunivske field were developed. In particular, a manufacturing scheme and a flow chart of the process were proposed, and the material balance was calculated.

Mesoporous carbon hollow spheres encapsulated phase change material for efficient emulsification of high-viscosity oil

Low fluidity of high-viscosity oil usually hinders its emulsification. Facing this dilemma, we proposed a novel functional composite phase change material (PCM) with in situ heating feature coupled with emulsification capability. This composite PCM consisting of mesoporous carbon hollow spheres (MCHS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) shows excellent photothermal conversion ability, thermal conductivity and Pickering emulsification. Compared with the currently reported composite PCMs, the unique hollow cavity structure of MCHS not only enables excellent encapsulation of PCM, but also protects the PCM from leaking and direct contact with oil phase. Importantly, the thermal conductivity of 80% PEG@MCHS-4 was determined to be 1.372 W/m·K, which was 2.887 times superior to that of pure PEG. MCHS endows the composite PCM with excellent light absorption capacity and photothermal conversion efficiency. The viscosity of high-viscosity oil can be facilely reduced in situ once it comes into contact with the heat-storing PEG@MCHS, thus the emulsification is greatly enhanced. In view of the in situ heating feature and emulsification capability of PEG@MCHS, this work puts forward a novel solution to address the problem of emulsification of high-viscosity oil through the integration of MCHS and PCM.

BOTTOMHOLE FORMATION ZONE RESTORATION MECHANISMS AND METHODS

The importance of the choice of well exploitation methods is analyzed. Mechanical methods applicable in carbonate reservoirs are discussed. To maintain the efficiency of field development, it is important to maintain the productivity of wells at the planned level throughout the entire production period by increasing their productivity. Productivity increase, skin effect reduction is achieved with the help of acid treatment, the main principle of which is rock dissolution to form a man-made network of microchannels in the bottomhole formation zone, which allows maintaining the recovery rate at the planned level for a long period of time. Forecasting the flow rate of wells in fields with reserves of high-viscosity oil is one of the most difficult tasks in the development of oil fields. Acid treatments quality increasing through new working agent’s usage and improving the technology analysis is performed. Acidizing a reservoir is inherently dual in nature in terms of the desired effect: while in some conditions it has a positive effect, in other conditions it may not be applicable at all.

Experimental study on hydrocyclone desanding of high-viscosity oil

Crude oil containing sand brings serious safety hazards to the surface gathering system, and wellhead sand removal could basically eliminate the sand threat to the pipelines and equipment. We developed a hydrocyclone desanding experimental device, using high-viscosity industrial white oil to simulate the high-viscosity crude oil on site to carry out the hydrocyclone desanding experiment, and explored the factors such as the oil viscosity, water content and gas injection on the hydrocyclone separation. The range of operating parameters for efficient hydrocyclone desanding of high-viscosity oil was found. The results showed that the hydrocyclone is not suitable for de-sanding of pure oil, but adding water could significantly improve the inefficient desanding state caused by the increase of oil viscosity. And the higher the viscosity of white oil, the more water is needed. Feed stream containing gas would cause a significant increase in pressure drop, which would waste excess pressure energy. Therefore, it is recommended that the dissolved gas should be removed before hydrocyclone desanding on site. Increasing the inlet flow rate, reducing the oil viscosity and increasing the water content could enhance the resistance to the interference of the gas.

Influence of FeP and Al(H2PO4)3 Nanocatalysts on the Thermolysis of Heavy Oil in N2 Medium

The high viscosity of heavy oil is the main challenge hindering its production. Catalytic thermolysis can be an effective solution for the upgrading of heavy oil in reservoir conditions that leads to the viscosity reduction of native oil and increases the yield of light fractions. In this study, the thermolysis of heavy oil produced from Ashalchinskoye field was carried out in the presence of FeP and Al(H2PO4) nanocatalysts at a temperature of 250 °C in N2 gas environment. It was shown that Al(H2PO4)3 and FeP catalysts at a concentration of 0.5% significantly promoted the efficiency of the heavy oil thermolysis and are key controlling factors contributing to the acceleration of chemical reactions. The Al(H2PO4)3 + NiCO3 nanoparticles were active in accelerating the main chemical reactions during upgrading of heavy oil: desulfurization, removal of the side alkyl chains from polyaromatic hydrocarbons, the isomerization of the molecular chain, hydrogenation and ring opening, which led to the viscosity reduction in heavy oil by 42%wt. Moreover, the selectivity of the Al(H2PO4)3 + NiCO3 catalyst relative to the light distillates increased up to 33.56%wt., which is more than two times in contrast to the light distillates of initial crude oil. The content of resins and asphaltenes in the presence of the given catalytic complex was reduced from 34.4%wt. to 14.7%wt. However, FeP + NiCO3 nanoparticles contributed to the stabilization of gasoline fractions obtained after upgraded oil distillation. Based on the results, it is possible to conclude that the thermolysis of heavy oil in the presence of FeP and Al(H2PO4)3 is a promising method for upgrading heavy oil and reducing its viscosity.

Badania eksperymentalne wpływu wrażliwych magnetycznie elastomerów na wydobycie ze złóż rop naftowych o wysokiej lepkości

In world practice, low-viscosity oil accounts for the main share of production. As the development progresses, the share of high-viscosity oil in the total balance increases year on year. The growing unused reserves of high-viscosity oil oblige researchers to solve the issue of developing these reserves, which is an important task for the oil industry. Studies have been carried out to increase oil recovery during the development of oil reservoirs containing high-viscosity oil by pumping a solution of magnetically active polymer, namely silicone oligomer, the matrix of which contains 5–25% Fe+3 ions, treated with a constant transverse magnetic field with a strength of H = 51740 A/m. A mixture of 90% by weight of quartz sand and 10% by weight of bentonite clay, with a permeability of k = 1.4 D, was used as a reservoir model. The high-viscosity oil model consisted of St-45 aviation oil. A silicone oligomer of 159–360 brand was used as a matrix with an operating temperature range of 60°C to +300°C, into which particles of gamma-Fe2O3 Nano powder with a size of 0.5 nm are introduced, with a degree of filling of the matrix of 5–25% by volume of Fe. Magnetization saturation is 80 emu/g, residual magnetization is 460 emu/g, and coercive force is 670 Oh. Validation of the proposed method was carried out by physical modeling of the process of displacement of high-viscosity oil with a magnetic elastomer on a laboratory installation. The oil recovery coefficient was calculated according to a well-known method. The use of magnetically sensitive polymer can be an effective method of developing heavy oil fields. For each heavy oil field, taking into account its specifics (reservoir properties of the rock, physicochemical properties of oil, etc.), an appropriate magnet active polymer is selected. As the experimental results show, the best indicator of the oil recovery coefficient is achieved at 65%, compared with 48% of recovery in the absence of magnetic field exposure.

Multi-energies assisted and all-weather recovery of crude oil by superhydrophobic melamine sponge.

Efficient and safe recovery of high-viscosity marine crude oil spills is still a worldwide challenge. High-viscosity crude oil is difficult to be removed by traditional adsorbent materials. Although some recent developments in photothermal or electric-thermal oil-absorbing materials, the vertical heat transfer inside and the potential hazard of electrical leakage are difficult to be guaranteed. In order to overcome these problems, we polymerized dopamine (DA) in situ on the skeleton surface of the commercial melamine sponge (MS), and further coated the full-wavelength light-absorbing Fe3O4 NPs-Graphene (HF-G) on it to obtain the superhydrophobic sponge with excellent photothermal conversion effect, heat conductivity and magnetic heating capabilities (HF-G/PDA@MS). When the thickness of sponge is 5mm, the HF-G/PDA@MS shows excellent vertical heat conductivity ability, and can absorb about 80g/g. It also can be combined with an extra electric-heating device to achieve continuous heating to reduce the viscosity and recover crude oil at night or extreme weather. In addition, the temperature of HF-G/PDA@MS can reach about 40°C by electromagnetic induction heater, indicating that we can use multiple energies-assisted modes to heat the HF-G/PDA@MS to. This work provides a promising solution and theoretical support for all-weather solving offshore crude oil spills pollution and recovery.