Mitigating Inorganic Scaling Using Synthetic Zeolite

• Main Author: NUR ASYRAF BT MD AKHIR, NUR ASYRAF
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2009
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/595/1/nur_asyraf_md_khir.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/595/

Inorganic scaling is a predominant formation-damage mechanism in most producing and injection wells worldwide. It occurs in the well tubing and near well bore formations of the production and injection wells. Carbonate and sulfate are two main types of scales commonly found in the oil fields. The deposition of scale on surfaces and production equipment is a major production problem. Scale built-up decreases permeability of the formation, reduces well productivity and shortens the lifetime of production equipment. In this project Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) has been used to mitigate the inorganic scaling, as it has high selectivity and high ion exchange capacity. The objectives of this project are to analyze the potential of synthetic zeolite in mitigating inorganic scaling and to examine the changing in permeability of the rocks subjected to the fluid treated with synthetic zeolite. For the scope of study, the literature review on inorganic scaling, synthetic zeolite and permeability of the rock have been done. There are two experiments have been conducted during this project, which are Zeolite Ion Exchange Experiment and Permeability Test. Then, the project is continued with analyzing the sample solution taken from Zeolite Ion Exchange Experiment with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). From here, the mineral composition and chemical elements of ZSM-5 can be analyzed. Based on the results obtained from XRF, ZSM-5 has shown its capability in absorbing barium and sodium ions. Meanwhile for the permeability test, there is reduction in permeability of the core samples based on the sample solutions used. These sample solutions that are treated with synthetic zeolite have lower permeability reduction compared to untreated sample solutions. In this study, it is found that synthetic zeolite exhibits potential in mitigating inorganic scaling