The Impact of Ultrasonic Waves on the Elimination of Asphaltene Precipitates from Porous Media

Summary Asphaltene precipitation is one of the major problems in oil wells that severely reduce the permeability near the wellbore area. In this study, the effect of ultrasonic waves (US) on asphaltene deposition and permeability restoring in carbonate reservoir rock using modified coreflooding apparatus is addressed. The US improved the permeability around 80% and increased toluene efficiency 4 times in removing the deposits. These waves induce the cavitation phenomenon in porous media, which leads to the effects of hydromechanical shear forces causing the cracking asphaltene clusters, reducing the adherence force between asphaltene and rock, increasing temperature, and surface contact of asphaltene deposits by cracking and creating microcracks in their structure. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, US cracks the asphaltene interconnected structure that causes solubility increase of these deposits in toluene and their easier removal from porous media. Based on the results of this study, ultrasonic waves can be used as an effective method for removal of asphaltene precipitates from porous media.