Asphaltene deposition inhibitor tester system and trainers

The Asphaltene deposition inhibitor tester system and trainers quantifies and monitors asphaltene deposition in a production-representative, turbulent hydrocarbon flow regime. Asphaltene inhibitors or dispersants can independently be injected at different concentrations in live oil and their efficiency in terms of deposition reduction can therefore be assessed. Critical parameters, such as temperature, pressure and flow regime can be isolated to yield insight into their effect on deposition behavior. Stored in two injection pumps, live oil and an inhibitor/dispersant solution, can independently be injected through a fooling cell filled with glass or stainless steel beads, at selective constant flow rates. At the cell outlet, the mixture exits the system via a receiving pump whose main function is to keep a constant system outlet pressure. Asphaltene particles deposit on the beads’ surface and agglomerate between them. The amount of solid deposit formed is determined using a dedicated, standardized measurement procedure designed to ensure reliable, accurate, and repeatable results across a wide range of experimental conditions. The test can be repeated several times with different inhibitor or dispersant concentrations in order to identify the minimum concentration required to avoid asphaltene deposition. A cleaning procedure of the fooling cell is required between each test and consists of flushing solvent through the fooling cell to remove asphaltene residue.

Pressure :

• Up to 20,000 psi

Temperature range :

• Ambient to 200°C (400°F)

Sample volume :

• 100 to 500 mL

Fouling cell volume :

• 10 mL

Maximum flow rate :

• 0.001 to 50 mL/min

Wetted parts :

• Stainless steel

Electrical :

• 220 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1 phase

• Mimic the process of asphaltene deposition from live reservoir fluids under realistic production and transportation conditions.
• Measures the true mass of asphaltene deposit