Development of a New Borax-Based Formulation for the Removal of Pyrite Scales
Author | Ahmed M. |
Author | Hussein I.A. |
Author | Onawole A.T. |
Author | Saad M.A. |
Available date | 2022-04-25T10:59:46Z |
Publication Date | 2020 |
Publication Name | ACS Omega |
Resource | Scopus |
Identifier | http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c00556 |
Abstract | In the oil and gas industry, pyrite forms one of the most hardened scales in reservoirs, which hinders the flow of fluids. Consequently, this leads to blockage of the downhole tubular, formation damage, and complete shutdown of production and operational processes. Herein, a new green formulation based on borax (K2B4O7) is proposed for pyrite scale removal. The temperature effect, disk rotational speed, and borax concentration have been investigated using a rotating disk apparatus. Also, XPS and SEM-EDX analyses were conducted on the pyrite disk surface before and after the treatment with the green formulation. The new formulation showed the potential ability to dissolve pyrite without generating the toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The dissolution rate of the scale in the new formulation is increased by 16% compared to that in a previous green formulation composed of 20 wt %DTPA+9 wt % K2CO3. Molecular modeling technique using DFT was used to study the solvation energies of Fe2+ and Fe3+. The latter had a higher solvation energy than the former, which confirmed that upon using the borax-based formulation to oxidize Fe2+ to Fe3+. It will aid the dissolution of pyrite scales. The new formulation achieved a corrosion rate that is 25 times lower than that of 15 wt % HCl, which is commercially used in treating scales. Finally, the proposed new formulation does not require the use of corrosion inhibitors; hence, it is expected to result in a more economical scale treatment method. |
Sponsor | This publication was made possible by Grant # NPRP9-084-2-041 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Qatar University and the Gas Processing Center are acknowledged for their support. Analysis of iron concentrations were done in the Central Laboratories Unit, Qatar University. The authors also would like to thank AkzoNobel for providing the chelating agent used in this work. |
Language | en |
Publisher | American Chemical Society |
Subject | Borax-Based Formulation Pyrite Scales |
Type | Article |
Pagination | 14308-14315 |
Issue Number | 24 |
Volume Number | 5 |
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Chemical Engineering [1141 items ]
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GPC Research [494 items ]