An Investigation on the Effects of Charged Polyacrylamide Injection on Asphaltene Deposition in Porous Media

Abstract

This study has been investigated, the effects of three different polar polyacrylamides (anionic, cationic, and nonionic) on asphaltene deposition in porous media. All experiments were carried out in various dead oil flow rates (0.2, 0.1 and 0.02 cc/min) and different polymer concentrations (500, 2500, 4000 ppm). The results indicated that asphaltene precipitation was affected by the presence of polar additives such as charged polyacrylamide. In general, anionic polyacrylamide increased the asphaltene deposition. The amount of deposition is proportional directly to the increasing concentration of anionic polyacrylamide. Anionic polyacrylamide with the concentrations of 2500 and 4000ppm behaved as a promoter while the hydrophilic property of nonionic polyacrylamide acts as an inhibitor of the precipitation. Stabilization of asphaltene deposition was disturbed in the presence of cationic polyacrylamide. Moreover, the electrostatic and acid-base mechanisms had showed a retarding effect on it. The flow rate is another parameter, which is taken into account besides other factors.