Project Info
Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as an Effective and Recyclable Clathrate Hydrate Dispersant in the Oil and Gas Industry
Ning Wu
ningwu@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
Gas hydrate formation in the pipeline may clog the flow and cause severe loss in the oil and gas industry. A common method is to inject anti-agglomerant (AA), one of the low-dosage hydrate inhibitors (LDHIs), in the pipeline to prevent small hydrate particles from agglomeration so that they can flow in the pipeline instead of causing plugging. However, there are financial and environmental concerns about those chemicals. Recent studies show that adequately modified nanoparticles can effectively disperse small hydrate particles. In this project, we will modify the surfaces of iron oxide nanoparticles to make them effective in minimizing hydrate plugging. We will characterize their performance via both macroscopic and microscopic experiments to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We will also recycle those nanoparticles with an external magnetic field. By reusing the nanoparticles, the economic cost will be much lower, and their environmental impact will also be minimized.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Not applicable.
Xianwei Zhang, Jingjing Gong, Xingfu Yang, Britanny Slupe, Janice Jin, Ning Wu, and Amadeu K. Sum
ACS Omega 2019 4 (8), 13496-13508 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b01806
Primary Contacts:
Ning Wu, ningwu@mines.edu
Yuanxing Zhang, zhang3@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
No specific qualifications are needed. Love to do hands-on experiments is appreciated. Everything can be learned from scratch.
Students from Chemical engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Chemistry, and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering are encouraged.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
6-10 hours
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Physics and Chemistry knowledge of emulsions and gas hydrates
Nanoparticle synthesis and emulsion preparation skills
Characterization methods include but are not limited to Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
Presentation skills
Writing skills
MENTORING PLAN
The graduate mentor will meet the student formally every two days per week to discuss the progress, assign short-term research tasks, and teach specific skills needed. The student will be expected to join the weekly group meeting of our research group. The undergraduate researcher, graduate mentor, and I will meet once a week to discuss the research progress.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Sophomore
Junior
Senior