Post on 08-Mar-2018
MAST Core Competency: Innovation through Unobvious Connections
Nanotechnology: New model for very small sensors
Swallow a pill that transmits picture in body
Car communicates oil chemistry wirelessly to
I=Phone
Nanoparticles in oil wells capture process conditions
MEMS devices that float inside transformer and report on partial
discharges
Goals of this Product Development ü Detect and measure
accurately and repeatedly the concentration of 20 nm magnetic nanoparticles in a flowing well process stream
ü Ability to measure nanoparticle concentration to 1 ppb in oil and brine
Challenges facing a Survivable Nanoparticle
u Obstacles u Hot Water (100oC+)
u Hydrolytic degradation of coating u Core dissolution u Accelerated phase changes in the core u Enhanced agglomeration due to fast Brownian motion
u High Concentration of Electrolytes u Double layer compression u Particle bridging due to cation chelation (Ca2+, Mg2+ etc.) u Seeding of mineral precipitation
u Active small molecules u Chemical degradation of coating and core
u Large, chemically heterogeneous rock surface u Adhesion of particles
u Tortuous pores with narrow throats u Nanoparticle screening
Particle Chemistry
● Upconverting nanoparticles (UCP) o 1 excitation photon -> multiple emission photons o Infrared excitation laser 980nm o Strong emission at 800nm o Disperse in solution when sonicated
Flow Cell
Magnet
Magnetic particles accumulate along the vertical edge of the magnet
Flow Direction
x
y
z
3 dimensional computer controlled translation of Flow Cell & Magnet in relation to laser
Laser
Concept of a Nano Seive
Increasing Magnetic Field
Magnet
Flow Cell – top view
x
y
z Laser focal point adjustment by moving the Flow Cell and Magnet in relation to laser
Laser
Spectrometer Dichroic Mirror
Lens
Programmatically Scanning of Target Site
Platform Evaluation Conditions u Particle performance baseline measured in DI u Brine conditions 120,000 ppm to 500,000 ppm u Oil emulsion 1%-10%-50%-75% u Dodecane initially used as a precursor u Final evaluation on actual production crude
Ongoing Development
u Continuous Improvement client feedback u Support wider range of nanoparticles u Ruggedized field design for at well head
installation