Interaction of Heavy Crude Oil and Nanoparticles …
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Fig. 11 Temperature versus thiophene conversion under the influence of nanoparticles (Co, Ni) of
different sizes. Reprinted with permission (Guo et al. 2018). Copyright (2018)
As the oil viscosity reduces the entire oil molecule structure starts to slacken up. This
causes the movement of nanoparticles to become more erratic and prone to collisions.
There is a destabilization due to an increase in surface energy. At higher temperatures,
the reduction of oil viscosity can cause metallic nanoparticles to coalesce together to
form small aggregates (Hashemi et al. 2012). These aggregates can inversely affect
the viscosity of oils by causing a surge in the viscosity of the oil.
Nonetheless, metallic particles can effectively catalyze aquathermolysis to cause
a reduction in viscosity of oils. As the oil comes in contact with high-temperature
steam, viscosity reduction of oil occurs. This action can be coupled with the viscosity
reducing property of metallic nanoparticles in different injection schemes to further
improve the process. These particles can be used in reservoirs at the end stages of
the steam stimulation process to initiate more recovery of oil (Farooqui et al. 2015).
As recovery decreases at the end stages, nanoparticles can be used as a final drive to
recover the oil.
4.1.2 Metal Oxides
Other than metal particles, metal oxides are also effective in changing the property of
heavy oils. Metal oxides nanoparticles are capable of causing asphaltene deposition
on their surfaces. Metal oxides are rather easy to produce and can have better catalytic
life. Their catalyst potency lies in their charge distribution. Asphaltene deposition
245
Fig. 11 Temperature versus thiophene conversion under the influence of nanoparticles (Co, Ni) of
different sizes. Reprinted with permission (Guo et al. 2018). Copyright (2018)
As the oil viscosity reduces the entire oil molecule structure starts to slacken up. This
causes the movement of nanoparticles to become more erratic and prone to collisions.
There is a destabilization due to an increase in surface energy. At higher temperatures,
the reduction of oil viscosity can cause metallic nanoparticles to coalesce together to
form small aggregates (Hashemi et al. 2012). These aggregates can inversely affect
the viscosity of oils by causing a surge in the viscosity of the oil.
Nonetheless, metallic particles can effectively catalyze aquathermolysis to cause
a reduction in viscosity of oils. As the oil comes in contact with high-temperature
steam, viscosity reduction of oil occurs. This action can be coupled with the viscosity
reducing property of metallic nanoparticles in different injection schemes to further
improve the process. These particles can be used in reservoirs at the end stages of
the steam stimulation process to initiate more recovery of oil (Farooqui et al. 2015).
As recovery decreases at the end stages, nanoparticles can be used as a final drive to
recover the oil.
4.1.2 Metal Oxides
Other than metal particles, metal oxides are also effective in changing the property of
heavy oils. Metal oxides nanoparticles are capable of causing asphaltene deposition
on their surfaces. Metal oxides are rather easy to produce and can have better catalytic
life. Their catalyst potency lies in their charge distribution. Asphaltene deposition