Scale Inhibitor Research Articles

Study on the scale inhibition performance of organic chelating agent aided by surfactants on CaCO3 at high salinity condition

Abstract The salt blockage layer formed in the wellbore during the development of high salinity oil and gas fields has a serious impact on the safety of oil and gas production of the oil and gas fields. CaCO3 is the main component of scale in high salinity oil and gas fields. Herein, focusing on CaCO3 as an example, the precipitation and scaling process as well as the change of crystalline form of CaCO3 under different temperature and salinity conditions were studied. The effects of two addition methods of organic chelating agent on the solubilization and dislodgement of CaCO3 under high salinity conditions were also explored. The optimal concentration of organic chelating agent is determined to be 1 % and 5 % for solubilization and dislodgement, respectively. It was found that the solubilization is achieved by inhibiting the stable and difficult to treat calcite crystal phase to generate more irregular and more dispersed aragonite CaCO3. Organic chelating agent contains a large number of carboxyl groups in its molecules, which can be adsorbed onto the surface of CaCO3 crystals through electrostatic adsorption. By chelating Ca2+ in stable and difficult to treat calcite CaCO3, the further ordered growth of the crystals is prevented, causing lattice distortion or large crystal rupture, thereby achieving dislodgement. This study will provide theoretical and technical support for the solubilization and dislodgement of salt blockage layer in wellbore at high salinity conditions.

Local deposition characteristics of calcium carbonate fouling in different enhanced tubes

With the development and advancements of modern industry, the application of enhanced tubes is becoming more and more extensive in various engineering domains and technological applications. When water is used as the working fluid for thermal energy utilization, there is a large chance of accumulating a large amount of fouling on the surface of the enhanced tubes. This paper establishes a mathematical model of the local fouling deposition of calcium carbonate in enhanced tubes. The model is used to simulate and compare the local fouling characteristics of CaCO3 in different tubes. In addition, a study is conducted on the effects of different inlet flow rates, water temperature, and calcium carbonate concentrations on the local fouling resistance of bellows tubes. The results showed that the local fouling resistance (average) and local fouling resistance of enhanced tubes is smaller than that of circular tubes. Additionally, the bellows tubes yielded the best scale inhibition effect. The obtained local fouling resistance is also found to change periodically along the length of the tube. The local fouling resistance decrease with an increase in the inlet flow rate and wall temperature, and increases with an increase in the calcium carbonate solution concentration.

Does the concentration ratio contribute to the scaling of circulating cooling seawater?

Due to the impact of freshwater shortage on coastal areas, coastal factories have gradually chosen seawater circulation cooling towers for industrial cooling. The circulating seawater easily generates thick scales, obstructs pipes, and affects heat transfer. Different from the development of scale inhibitors and membrane treatment, there are few fundamental researches on scale formation in seawater pretreatment. In this study, the effects of seawater concentration on scaling time and crystal shapes were investigated through on-line monitoring scaling experiments and scale collection. When the concentration of seawater increased (0.5–2.5 times), the scaling time was delayed, and the formation of large aggregates decreased. Subsequently, the scale delay of calcium carbonate caused by high ion concentration was confirmed by sodium and potassium ion gradient tests and the Visual MINTEQ model. The dynamic simulation further revealed that high ion saturation inhibits calcium and carbonate ions' collision, binding, and agglomeration. Sodium ions inhibit scale formation through electrostatic repulsion with calcium ions, while potassium ions occupy spatial sites around calcium ions. Furthermore, the aragonite formation tendency in highly ion-saturated solutions provides a theoretical basis for industrial carbon capture technology at the end of cyclic cooling.

The role of electrical current mode in calcium carbonate deposition on conductive carbon nanofiber–epoxy coating

AbstractCalcium carbonate is one of the most common scaling minerals. In this paper we have used different electrical current modes (direct current [DC], pulsed DC, and alternating current [AC]) to control the amount, morphology, and distribution of calcium carbonate deposit on electroconductive epoxy/carbon nanofiber (CNF) coating. The effect of different current modes on surface scaling was visualized using scanning electron microscopy. It has been shown that both AC and DC anodic polarization limited scale deposition on epoxy/CNF coated surfaces, although the mechanisms of scale inhibition during AC and DC polarization were different. DC polarization of the coating at +2 V resulted in the smallest scale buildup without leading to coating degradation, while DC polarization at potentials as high as +5 V caused the coating to degrade. Interestingly, application of pulsed DC with high pulse frequency (50 Hz) inhibited the degradation. The type of current applied affected also the morphology of the precipitate at the cathode. The results presented in this work show, for the first time, how different modes of electrical current applied to electroconductive composite coatings can be used to control the morphology and distribution of calcium carbonate scale, and how the organic coating degradation at high polarization potentials can be avoided.

Valorization of kapok fiber by phosphorylation with a reactive phosphorus‐ and nitrogen‐containing flame retardant for enhanced fire safety

AbstractKapok fiber (KF) with a naturally hollow structure has found an increasing application in filling and composite materials, most of which have a demand of flame retardancy. To realize this high‐value utilization, KF was phosphorylated by a reactive phosphorus‐ and nitrogen‐containing flame retardant for enhanced fire safety. The flame retardant was first synthesized by the reaction of urea and diethylene triamine pentakis (methyl phosphonic acid) (a commercially available scale inhibitor) with low cost, and then, applied in the phosphorylation of KF in the presence of dicyandiamide. In thermogravimetric analysis, phosphorylated KF showed 38.1% residue weight in nitrogen and 10.2% residue weight in air at 700°C, whereas the residue weight of KF was 8.4% in nitrogen and 1.5% in air. In microcalorimetric analysis, the heat release capacity and total heat release of phosphorylated KF displayed a reduction of 81% and 55%, respectively. In vertical combustion test, phosphorylated KF was difficult to ignite and had no afterburning or smoldering. The tests indicated that phosphorylated KF had excellent charring properties, low heat release, and good flame retardancy. This work suggests a promising strategy of enhancing the flame retardancy of KF and increasing its applicability in filling and composite materials.

Comparative study of a low phosphorous co‐polymer inhibitor with commercial scale inhibitors used in cooling water systems

AbstractTo reduce the economic loss caused by scale formation and corrosion of equipment and pipelines, a low phosphorus polymer scale inhibitor is synthesized and characterized, the ability of the polymer to mitigate the calcium scale and the influences of operating conditions on CaCO3 scale are investigated by static tests. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies are performed to understand the morphological changes of the scales in the presence of the polymer. The interaction between polymer molecules and calcite crystal surface is studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The synthesized polymer is compared with the commercial product such as hydrolysis polymaleic acid (HPMA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and 1‐hydroxy ethylidene‐1,1‐diphosphonic acid (HEDP). The experimental results show that the polymer shows better inhibition of calcium scale than the commercial product. The scale inhibition efficiency of the polymer is 92% at 10 mg/L for CaCO3 scale, 83% at 14 mg/L for Ca3(PO4)2 scale, and 98% at 6 mg/L for CaSO4 scale. SEM and XRD analysis show that the polymer induces the conversion of CaCO3 from calcite to arachite and crystal. The interaction of the polymer with both 104 and 1–10 calcite crystal surfaces are more stable than that of commercial product. The experimental results are in good agreement with those of molecular dynamics simulation.

Study on synthesis and properties of environmental protection water treatment agent

The copolymers were obtained by a water-based polymerization reaction using maleic anhydride and acrylic acid as the main raw materials. And the scale inhibition performance of the resulting scale inhibitor was investigated by static scale inhibition experiments. The experimental results proved that the scale inhibitor has good scale inhibition performance for calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate. When the dosage is 100mg/L, the scale inhibition rate of the agent reaches 100%. This avoids the hidden danger of affecting normal production due to system scaling.

Study on the nanofiltration membrane fouling control and cleaning efficiency of micro- and nanobubbles

To effectively prevent membrane fouling caused by inorganic scales, which block membrane pores during the nanofiltration process for direct drinking water treatment, the effects of micro/nanobubble introduction on membrane fouling control and membrane cleaning were studied during nanofiltration. The results showed that membrane flux increased 6.3% after micro- and nanobubbles were continuous introduced during the nanofiltration process. Micro- and nanobubbles effectively controlled membrane fouling and had less of an influence on the surface functional groups and polymer layers than did scale inhibitors. The membrane flux of the nanofiltration membrane after cleaning with micro- and nanobubbles decreased gradually with increasing cleaning time, and the membrane flux of the nanofiltration membrane after four rounds of cleaning decreased by 33%. Moreover, micro/nanobubble cleaning did not change the physical or chemical properties of the nanofiltration membrane and delayed the ageing rate of the nanofiltration membrane.

Comparative experimental study of a new corrosion and scaling inhibitor GPUSCH

Comparative experimental study of a new corrosion and scaling inhibitor GPUSCH

Synthesis and evaluation of novel copper hydroxide-loaded SBA-15 as inhibitors for an oilfield carbonate scale control: an experiment and a model study

Abstract The oil and gas industry faces significant challenges in scaling, leading to financial losses and production decline. This study aims to synthesize solid-scale inhibitors using copper hydroxide-loaded SBA-15 catalysts for the scale removal. The catalysts were synthesized using a simple impregnation method, and characterized using various tests. To evaluate the scale inhibition efficiency, static scale inhibition tests are conducted, measuring the effectiveness of the synthesized inhibitors in preventing scale formation. The results show potential applications for copper hydroxide-loaded SBA-15 solid-scale inhibitors in the oil and gas industry. The inhibitor's efficiency increases under alkaline conditions, while its efficacy decreases with rising pH. At an optimal dosage of 7.5 ppm and temperature of 55 °C, the inhibitor achieves an impressive 99% inhibition efficiency on calcium carbonate, indicating excellent inhibitory performance. This material holds promise for more efficient and cost-effective scaling inhibition solutions across various industrial processes.

Molecular Design of Functional Polymers for Silica Scale Inhibition.

Silica polymerization, which involves the condensation reaction of silicic acid, is a fundamental process with wide-ranging implications in biological systems, material synthesis, and scale formation. The formation of a silica-based scale poses significant technological challenges to energy-efficient operations in various industrial processes, including heat exchangers and water treatment membranes. Despite the common strategy of applying functional polymers for inhibiting silica polymerization, the underlying mechanisms of inhibition remain elusive. In this study, we synthesized a series of nitrogen-containing polymers as silica inhibitors and elucidated the role of their molecular structures in stabilizing silicic acids. Polymers with both charged amine and uncharged amide groups in their backbones exhibit superior inhibition performance, retaining up to 430 ppm of reactive silica intact for 8 h under neutral pH conditions. In contrast, monomers of these amine/amide-containing polymers as well as polymers containing only amine or amide functionalities present insignificant inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal strong binding between the deprotonated silicic acid and a polymer when the amine groups in the polymer are protonated. Notably, an extended chain conformation of the polymer is crucial to prevent proximity between the interacting monomeric silica species, thereby facilitating effective silica inhibition. Furthermore, the hydrophobic nature of alkyl segments in polymer chains disrupts the hydration shell around the polymer, resulting in enhanced binding with ionized silicic acid precursors compared to monomers. Our findings provide novel mechanistic insights into the stabilization of silicic acids with functional polymers, highlighting the molecular design principles of effective inhibitors for silica polymerization.

Fluorescent-tagged antiscalants as a tool of homogeneous membrane scaling mitigation and inhibition mechanism investigation in electrodialysis processing of solutions prone to calcium sulfate precipitation

Fluorescent-tagged antiscalants as a tool of homogeneous membrane scaling mitigation and inhibition mechanism investigation in electrodialysis processing of solutions prone to calcium sulfate precipitation

Magnetization coupled reverse osmosis (RO): Enhanced inhibition scaling mechanisms and operation optimization

In this study, magnetization pretreatment was applied to the reverse osmosis process. The scale inhibition effect and the mechanism of magnetization treatment were analyzed. The results show that after magnetization, the decay of water flux tended to slow down during RO and the flux recovery increased after cleaning. The Ryznar stability index of the solutions was calculated, which showed that magnetization could increase the solubility of carbonate solution and reduce the trend of carbonate scaling to a certain extent. The infrared spectra of the solutions showed that the hydrogen bonds of water molecules in the solution decreased after magnetization, indicating that the magnetization made the hydrogen bonds of water molecules break to form smaller clusters of water molecules, which might make the water molecules pass through the membrane more easily. After magnetization, the crystal size of the carbonate precipitated decreased and the sedimentation rate slowed down. Different flow rates and magnetization times were selected during the magnetization process. The results showed that when the flow velocity was greater than 0.24 m/s, the RSI, scale size and precipitation rate of the magnetized solution changed significantly compared with that of the unmagnetized solution. At the flow velocity of 0.48 m/s, the optimal magnetization time is 5 min. Moreover, the SEM characterization of the fouled membrane after filtration showed that after magnetization, the calcium carbonate deposited on the membrane surface appeared aragonite crystal, and the fouling was more loose, so it was easier to wash away during the membrane cleaning process.

FRACTURING LIQUID DESIGN AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR LOW PERMEABILITY AND HIGH TEMPERATURE

Mirabelle 01 M01 well is a developed-stage well which has undergone drilling since February 2020 until May 3th 2020. It has 13000 ft depth and dominated with sandstone layers and some shaly inserts. This well is a high temperature (300 F), low permeability (0.5-5 mD) and porosity well which casues hydraulic fracturing should be done in this well. Aim: to carry out fluid fracturing design analysis by considering additional materials and economics. The perforation in this well divided into 2 perforations, first perforation has been 297 ft long and located at 12143 ft-12440 ft of well depth. The second perforation has been 45 ft in length and is located at 12,730 ft-12,685 ft of well depth. Payzone of this well is dominated by sandstone which is determined from the low gamma ray data. This Mirabelle 01 M01 well has high resistivity due to the resistivity log. Water mix used for the formation is a neutral water mix but still has several negative ions with corrosive properties such as SO42- and Cl-. Acid inhibitors are needed to remove these ions and prevent corrosive to be happened. Scale inhibitors are also needed to be added to prevent scale formation caused by Mg2+ ions which are contained in the mix water. From the average pressure calculation, the closure pressure was found about 7914.67 psi. The young modulus found from 8-10 Mpsi which indicates that the formation has high stiffness. The base of the fracturing fluid used is low price water-base fluid with guar gum polymer which can produce hydroxypropilguar (HPG) that don't ruin the formation even if the formation is in the high temperature. Borate ions are used to be crosslinker agents that binds metal ions with polymers. To split polymers molecules, sodium salt from the peroxydisulphate is used to be the gel breaker.

Study on the scale-forming mechanism of magnesium phosphate by polyepoxysuccinic acid based on solution conductivity method

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence of polyepoxysuccinic acid sodium (PESA), a green antiscalant, on the nucleation, crystallization and precipitation of magnesium phosphate.Design/methodology/approachThe conductivity method was used to investigate the maximum relative supersaturation of magnesium phosphate across various PESA dosages. Subsequently, a magnesium phosphate scale was prepared using the static scale inhibition method (GB/T16632-1996) and then analyzed via scanning electron microscopy.FindingsThe findings showed that PESA extends the induction period of magnesium phosphate crystallization, reduces crystal growth rate and elevates the solution’s relative supersaturation. Notably, PESA exerts a low dosage effect on inhibition of the magnesium phosphate scale, with the optimal dosage identified at 10 mL. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that PESA dispenses a dispersing effect on the magnesium phosphate scale, generating numerous concave, convex and deeper pores on the scale particles’ surface, and thereby significantly enhancing the surface area, especially when using an antiscalant with variable dosages.Originality/valueThis study sheds new light on the impact of PESA, a green antiscalant, on the crystallization and precipitation of magnesium phosphate, thus paving the way for the development of enhanced and eco-friendly scale inhibition strategies in future applications.

Inhibition of calcium carbonate nucleation and crystallization by carboxymethyl dextran: Experiments and molecular dynamics simulations

Fouling causes huge economic losses for industrial process. In this work, experimental and molecular dynamics simulation approaches were used to carefully examine the scale inhibitory effects of carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) on the nucleation and crystallization process of calcium carbonate. The findings of the experiment demonstrated that CMD could significantly inhibit calcium carbonate's crystallization and nucleation processes. Moreover, an increase in the CMD concentration prolonged the induction period of calcium carbonate nucleation, and led to an increase in the critical conductivity value, inhibition effect on the nucleation process, and scale inhibition efficiency. The simulation results demonstrated the presence of strong interactions between the calcium ions in solution and the carboxyl groups of CMD. The probability and strength of calcium and carbonate ions adsorbing to the solution's surface decreased as the CMD concentration rose. Adsorption probability and strength of calcium and carbonate ions in the solution declined as CMD concentration rose, tightly agglomerated calcium carbonate gradually dispersed into small clusters and ions, and scale inhibition effectiveness improved. The experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the simulation results.

The scale inhibition mechanism of sodium humate on heat transfer surface: Insights from electrochemical experiments, quantum chemical calculations, and molecular dynamics simulation

The scale inhibition mechanism of sodium humate (HAS) on Calcium Carbinate (CaCO3) was investigated by experiments, quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. The changes of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were analyzed by electrochemical methods at different concentrations (0, 10, 30, 50, 70, 100 mg/L) of HAS. The molecular structure of HAS was optimized by quantum chemical calculation, and the charge distribution, electrostatic potential distribution and frontier orbital energy of HAS were obtained. The interaction simulation system between HAS and the crystal planes of calcite was constructed based on molecular dynamics simulation. The interaction mechanism between specific functional groups in HAS and calcite crystal plane was analyzed. The results show that the capacitance arc and charge transfer resistance increase with the increase of HAS concentration in the range of 0–50 mg. However, In the concentration range of 50–100 mg, the capacitance arc and charge transfer resistance decrease with the increase of concentration. In the optimized structure of HAS, the oxygen atom on the carboxyl group is more negatively charged. There is a strong mutual attraction between HAS and calcite crystal plane. The primary functional group responsible for achieving scale inhibition is formed through the bonding between the carboxyl oxygen atom within its molecular structure and the calcium atom on the calcite crystal plane. The research in this paper provides a strong guidance for the treatment of scale and the development of scale inhibitors.

Analysis of Microbial Community in Circulating Cooling Water System of Coal Power Plant during Reagent Conversion

The use of phosphorus-containing chemical corrosion and scale inhibitors has been found to result in excessive phosphorus discharge and an inability to reduce the high concentration of CODcr in the circulating cooling water, thereby making it challenging to comply with increasingly stringent sewage discharge standards. This study aims to assess the practicality of utilizing biological corrosion and scale inhibitors in coal power plants’ operation, as well as investigating the correlation between water quality indicators and microbial communities during the conversion period. The data illustrates that, in comparison to the chemical method, there is a decrease in turbidity of the circulating water from 19.44 NTU to 9.60 NTU, a reduction in CODcr from 71.55 mg/L to 45.47 mg/L, and a drop in TP from 2.35 mg/L to 0.38 mg/L. Microbial community analysis during the transition period reveals that microorganisms rapidly establish a new equilibrium in the circulating water, sediment, and fiber ball, resulting in significantly different microbial community structures. The relative abundance of corrosive microorganisms such as Flavobacterium, Pedomicrobium, and Hydrogenophaga is significantly diminished in the circulating water, whilst the abundance of anaerobic microorganisms like Anaerolineaceae and Rhodopseudomonas in the sediment also declines. Conversely, there is an increased presence of microorganisms associated with contaminant degradation, such as CL500-3 and SM1A02. These findings suggest a decrease in the risk of system corrosion and an enhancement in contaminant degradation capability. This study provides evidence supporting the replacement of chemical agents with biological agents in circulating cooling water systems, contributing to more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.

Preparation of carboxy sulfonic acid‐containing copolymer scale inhibitors and their scale inhibition effect on CaCO3

AbstractFree radical polymerization was selected to obtain a promising copolymer scale inhibitor IA‐AM‐SAS with good water solubility and temperature and salt resistance, which is suitable for the treatment of surface pipeline water in oil fields, using itaconic acid (IA), acrylamide (AM), and sodium acrylsulfonate (SAS) as the monomers. The structure of the synthesized copolymer was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric results showed that the copolymer does not undergo significant thermal degradation at temperatures below 356°C, indicating that the copolymer has good thermal stability. The molecular weights of the polymers at different monomer ratios were measured using gel permeation chromatography and the relationship between the molecular weights and scale inhibition performance was discussed. The results showed that the scale inhibition effect was best when the monomer molar ratio n(IA): n(AM): n(SAS) was 0.5:2:1.5 and the number of average molecular weight of the prepared copolymer was 7712 g/mol, and the inhibition efficiency of CaCO3 was 84.02% when IA‐AM‐SAS was at a concentration of 30 mg L−1, and the inhibition rate was measured by the standard of static scale inhibition test in the oilfield measured. The range of conditions (PH, Ca2+ concentration, water temperature, and time) of the static scale inhibition test was then expanded using a one‐way controlled variable experiment to explore the performance of IA‐AM‐SAS scale inhibitors under different water quality conditions. The scale inhibition mechanism was explored by scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray diffraction, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Briefly, the combination of multiple functional groups enables IA‐AM‐SAS to be applied in complex and challenging environments.

Enhanced scale inhibition and anti-wax capacities of passive materials via ultrasonic rolling processing

Scale damage and wax formation on pipelines surface have become prevalent issues in the development and production of the oil and gas industry throughout the world. The utilization of the ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) on pipeline surfaces is a promising protective approach and its universal verification for the enhancement of the scale inhibition and anti-wax capacities of passive materials is presented in this work. The effect of USRP on surface integrity (including roughness, cross-sectional microstructure, residual stress and water contact angle), scaling and wax deposition behavior, passive film structure and characteristics are experimentally analyzed by comparing three passive materials (13Cr stainless steel, 825 nickel-base alloy and Ti6Al4V alloy) with 3Cr carbon steel. The results indicate that USRP can effectively reduce the surface roughness and contribute to the growth of passive film due to the enriched passive elements on the metal surface, which consequently endow the passive materials with reduced surface free energy and enhanced anti-scaling/anti-wax capacities. Furthermore, benefitting from the surface passivation, the enhancement in the corrosion resistance of the film helps to provide good chemical stability. The main reason for why USRP has a protective effect on the scale inhibition and anti-wax capacities of the passive materials is also elucidated. The input energy of USRP not only achieves chip-free polishing and triggers structural response changes in the surface and subsurface plastic deformation but also produces a unique passivation response that can alter the chemical composition, thickness, compactness and defect density of the passive film. This in turn leads to significant changes in its corrosion resistance, which is related to the semiconductor characteristics of the materials, surface energy, and hydrophilic–hydrophobic physical and chemical properties. This results in a significant inhibitory effect on the deposition of scaling ions or wax crystals at the passive film/solution interface.