Journal of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Technology

Journal of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Technology

Potential Application of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles in the Oil and Gas Industry

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Abstract
In the oil and gas industry, different kinds of nanoparticles have been studied and reported to enhance various oil and gas operations. In this review however, the focus is on identifying different applications of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles in the petroleum industry because of its various potentials. Al2O3 nanoparticle has been reported to be a good enhanced oil recovery agent that can alter rock wettability, reduce oil viscosity and reduce interfacial tension between oil and water.

Al2O3 nanoparticle militates against kaolinite mobilization during hydrocarbon production, improves rheological properties in drilling fluids, improves the quality of cementation during well installations, and improves engine performance and thermal efficiency in brakes. Al2O3 nanoparticle has the capacity to inhibit growth of microbes, it is a catalyst in crude oil refining, it eliminates asphaltene from crude oil and is used to detect water oil interface. In biodiesel, Al2O3 nanoparticle reduces emissions and enhances fuel consumption.
Keywords

[1] M. N. Ritter, T. Abraham, Nano-structural Materials: An Overview and Commercial Analysis, JOM50, 37-38, 1998.
[2] T. Shirai, H. Watanabe, M. Fuji and M. Takahashi, “Structural Properties and Surface Characteristics of Aluminium Oxide Powders”, Japan, 9, 23-31, 2009.
[3] S. Said, S. Mikhail and M. Raid, “Recent Process for the Production of Alumina Nanoparticles”, ScienceDirect, Material Science for Energy Technologies, 3(2020), pp. 344-363, 2020.
[4] Future Market In., The Global Market for Metal Oxide Nanoparticles to 2020, 2013. http://www.researchandmarket.com/research/jkjd5k/The_global_market
[5] W. T. Shugg, “Handbook of Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials, 2nd Edition, 1995.
[6] P. Nordell, Aluminium Oxide-Poly (Ethylene-Co-Butyl Acrylate) Nano-composite: Synthesis, Structure, Transport Properties and Long Term Performance” KTH Chemical Science and Engineering, pp. 2-3, 2011.
[7] P. Hassanpour, Y. Panahi, A. Ebrahimi-Kalan, A. Akbarzadeh, S. Davaran, A. Nasibova, R. Khalilov and T. Kavetskyy, “Biomedical Applications of Aluminum Oxide nanoparticles”, Micro and Nano Letters, 13(9), 2018.
[8] T. P. M. Chu, N. T. Nguyen, T. L. Vu, T. H. Dao, L. C. Dinh, H. L. Nguyen, T. H. Hoag, T. S. Le and T. D. Pham, “Synthesis, Characterization and Modification of Alumina Nanoparticles for Cationic Dye Removal”, Multidisciplinary Digital Pub. Inst. (MDPI), Materials (Basel), 12(3):450, 2019.
[9] R. Prabhakar and S. R. Samadder, “Low Cost and Easy Synthesis of Aluminum Oxide nanoparticles for Arsenic Removal from Ground Water: A Complete Batch Study”, J. of Molecular Liquids, Vol. 250, pp. 192-201, 2018.
[10] S. Ghosh, A. Prabhakar and S. R. Samadder, “Performance of γ- Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles for Arsenic Removal from Groundwater”, Clecen Technologies and Environmental Policy, Issue 1, 2019.
[11] T. H. Phan and A. J. Haes, “What Does Nanoparticle Stability Mean?”, J. Phs Chem C Nanomater Interfaces, 123(27), pp. 16495-16507, 2019.
[12] J. Labille and J. Brant, “Stability of Nanoparticles in Water”, Nano- medicine, Special Focus: Environmental Toxicity of Nanoparticles, (2010).
[13] D. Dey, P. Kumar and S. Samantaray, “A Review of Nanofluid Preparation, Stability and Thermophysical Properties”, Heat Transfer – Asian Research, Vol. 46, No. 8, pp. 1413-1442, 2007.
[14] N. Ali, J.A. Teixeira and A. Addali, “A Review on Nanofluids: Fabrication, Stability and Thermophysical Properties, Hindawi, Journal of Nanomaterials, Vol. 2018, pp.1-33. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6978130
[15] H. Setia, R. Gupta and R. K. Wanchoo, “Stability of Nanofluid”, Material Science Forum, Vol. 757, pp. 139-149, 2013.
[16] M. F. Zawrah, R. M. Khattab, L. G. Girgis, H. E. I. Daidamony, R. E. Abdel Aziz, “Stability of Electrical Conductivity of Water-Base Al2O3 nanofluids for Different Applications”, Housing and Building National Research Centre – HBRC Journal, 12, pp. 227-234, 2016.
[17] W. Xian-Ju and L. Xin-Fang, Influence of pH on Nanofluids’ Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity”, Chinese Physics Letters, Vol. 26, No. 5, 2009.
[18] S. Samal, B. Satpati and D. Chaira, “Production and Dispersion Stability of Ultrafine Al-Cu Alloy Powder in Base Fluid, J. Alloys Compd. 5389 – 94, 2010.
[19] R. Choudhary, D. Khurana, A. Kumar and S. Subudhi, “Stability and Analysis of Al2O3 /water Nanofluids”, J. of Exp. Nanosci., 12:1, 140-151, 2017.
[20] S. A.  Angayarkanni and J. Philip, “Effect of Nanoparticles Aggregation on Thermal and Electrical Conductivities of Nanofluids”, Journal of Nanofluids, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 17–25, 2014.
[21] P. K. Das, N. Islam, A. K. Santra and R. Ganguly, “Experimental Investigation of Thermophysical Properties of Al2O3 –Water Nanofluid: Role of Surfactants”, Journal of Molecular Liquids, Vol. 237, pp.304-312, 2007.
[22] S. Witharana, C. Hodges, D. Xu, X. Lai and Y. Ding, “Aggregation and Settling in Aqueous Polydispersed Alumina Nanoparticles Suspensions”. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Vol. 14, Article 851, 2012.
[23] J. Mui, J. Ngo and B. Kim, “Aggregation and Colloidal Stability of Commercially Available Al2O3 nanoparticles in Aqueous Environments”, Nanomaterials, (MDPI), 6:90, pp. 1-15, 2016.
[24] J. H. Lee, K. S. Hwang, S. P. Jang, B. H. Lee, J. H. Kim, S. U. S. Choi, “Effective Viscosities and Thermal Conductivities of Aqueous Nanofluids Containing Low Volume Concentrations of Al2O3 nanoparticles”, Int. J Heat Mass Transf., 51:265, pp. 1-6, 2008.
[25] I. M. Mahbubul, I. M. Shahrul, S. S. Khaleduzzaman, R. Saidur, M. A. Amalina and A. Turgut, “Experimental Investigation on Effect of Ultra-Sonication Duration on Colloidal Dispersion and Thermophysical Properties of Alumina-Water Nanofluid, Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 88, pp. 73-81, 2015.
[26] L. Henraningrat and O. Torsaeter, “Metal Oxide Based Nanoparticles – Revealing their Potential to Enhance Oil Recovery in Different Wettability Systems”, Appl. Nanosci., 2015, Vol. 5, pp. 181–199, 2015.
[27] E. Joonaki and S. Ghanaatian, “Application of Nanofluids for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Effects on Interfacial Tension and Core Flooding Process”, Petrol. Sci. Technology, Vol. 32, pp. 2599 – 2607, 2014.
[28] O. A. Alomair, K. M. Matar and Y. H. Alsaeed, “Experimental Study of Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery in Berea Sandstone Cores by Use of Nanofluids Application”, SPE Rev. Eval., 18, pp. 387–399, 2015.
[29] K., Li, D. Wang and S. Jiang, “Review on Enhanced Oil Recovery by Nanofluids”, Oil and Gas Science and Technology, pp. 37, 73, 2018.
[30] N. Ogolo, O. Olafuyi and M. Onyekonwu, “Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles”, SPE 160847-MS, Saudi Arabia Section Technical Symposium and Exhibition, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia, 2012, pp. 1-9.
[31] H. M. Zaid, N. R. A. Latiff and N. Yahya, “The Effect of Zinc Oxide and Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on Interfacial Tension and Viscosity of Nanofluids for Enhanced Oil Recovery”, Advanced Materials Research, Vol. 1024, pp. 56 – 59, 2014.
[32] H. M. Zaid, N. Yahya and N. R. A. Latiff, ”The Effect of Nanoparticles Crystalline Size on the Recovery Efficiency in Dielectric Nanofluid Flooding”, Journal of Nano Research, Vol. 21, pp. 103 – 108, 2013.
[33] M. A. Manan, S. Farad, A. Piroozian and M. J. A. Esmail, “Effect of Nanoparticle types on Carbon Dioxide Foam Flooding in Enhanced Oil Recovery”, Pet. Sci. Tech. 33(12), pp. 1286 – 1294, 2015.
[34] O. J. Emeka, O. Ifeanyi, A. Chikwe, A. Nwachukwu, O. Ndubuisi, O. Ifeanyi, O. A. Chidiebere, “Effect of Application of Aluminium Oxide on Recovery in Enhanced Oil Recovery”, Engineering and Applied Science, 6(2): pp. 41-48, 2021.
[35] H. Eloum, Y. L. Yang and J. R. Hou (2021) “The Effect of Nanoparticles on Reservoir Wettability Alteration: A Critical Review”, Petroleum Science, 18, pp.136-153 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12182-020-00496-01
[36] J. Giraldo, P. Benjumea, S. Lopera, F. B. Cortes and M. A. Ruiz, “Wettability Alteration of Sandstone Cores by Alumina-based Nanofluids”, Energy Fuels, 51, pp. 1-9, (2013). http://doi.org/10.1021/ef4002956
[37] M. M. Amani, M. Idris, N. D. Rosa, M. Al Balushi, A. Carvero and R. Yrac, “Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Using Nanoparticles for Improved Oil Recovery”, International Journal of Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering (IJPPE), Vol. 4, Issue 4, 2018 pp. 32 – 41, 2018.
[38] R. Saboori, R. Azin, S. Osfouri, S. Sabbaghi and A. Bahramian, “Wettability Alteration of Carbonate Cores by Alumina-Nanofluid in Different Base Fluids and Temperature”, J. of Sustainable Eng., Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 84 – 98, 2018.
[39] S. Gomaa, A. Salem and M. Hassan, “Relative Permeability Curves and Wettability Alterations by Alumina Nanoparticles Flooding”, Journal of Azhar University Engineering Sector, volume 12, No. 42, pp. 103 – 119, 2017.
[40] M. S. Mohammadi, J. Moghadasi and S. Naseri, “Experimental Investigation of Wettability Alteration in Carbonate Reservoir using ɣ-Al2O3 Nanoparticles”, Iranian J. of Oil & Gas Sci. and Tech., 3(2), pp. 18-26, 2014.
[41] J. Giraldo, P. Benjumea, S. Lopera, B. F. Cortés and A. M. Ruiz, “Wettability Alteration of Sandstone Cores by Alumina-based Nanofluids”, Energy and Fuels 27, pp. 3659-3665, 2013.
[42] A. Karimi, Z. Fakhroueian, A. Bahramian, N. P. Khiabani, J. B. Darabad, R. Azin and S. Arya, “Wettability Alteration in Carbonates using Zirconium oxide Nanofluids: EOR Implications”, Energy and Fuels 26, pp. 1028-1036, 2012.
[43] M. S. Moslan, W. R. W. Sulaiman, A. R. Ismail and M. Z. Jaafar, “Application of Aluminum Oxide and Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles in Altering Dolomite Rock Wettability Using Different Dispersing Medium”, Chemical Engineering Transactions, Vol. 56, pp. 1339 – 1344, 2017.
[44] A. J. Alawode, O. E. Ufoegbune and O. O. Oni, “Inhibitive Effect of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Wax Precipitation in a Niger Delta Crude Oil”, Petroleum and Coal, 61(15), pp. 1226-1233, 2019.
[45] N. Ogolo, O. Olafuyi, and M. Onyekonwu, “Effect of Nanoparticles on Migrating Fines in Formations”, SPE 155213 MS, SPE International Oilfield Nanotechnology Conf. and Exh., Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 2012, pp. 1-10.
[46] N. Ogolo, “The Trapping Capacity of Nanofluids in Migrating Fines in Sand”, SPE-167832-STU, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, pp. 1-15, 2013.
[47] N. A. Ogolo, M. O. Onyekonwu and O. Akaranta, “Trapping Mechanism of Nanofluids on Migrating Fines in Sand”, SPE-167502-MS, Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Lagos, pp. 1-13, 2013.
[48] N. A. Ogolo, E. J. Ezenworo, E. Ogri, S. M. Wali E. C. Nnanna and M. O. Onyekonwu, “Study of Fines Mobilization by Flow Rate in the Presence of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticle”, SPE 184239 MS, SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Lagos, Nigeria, pp. 1-8, 2016.
[49] N. A. Ogolo, E. Iloke, T. Godstime, O. C. Okorie and M. O. Onyekonwu, “Mobilization of Clayey Fines by Different Water Salinity Values in the Presence of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticle”, SPE 189125 MS, SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Lagos, pp. 1 – 9, 2017.
[50] S. R. Smith, R. Rafati, A. S. Haddad, A. Cooper, H. Hamidi, “Application of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles to Enhance Rheological and Filtration Properties of Water Bases Mud at HPHT Conditions”, Journal of Colloids and Surfaces, Vol. 537, pp. 361 – 371, 2018.
[51] C. Anyanwu and M. Momoh, “Experimental Evaluation of particle sizing in Drilling Fluid to Minimize Filtrate Losses and Formation Damage”, SPE-184303-MS, SPE Nigeria Annual Int. Conf. and Exh., Lagos, pp. 1 – 16, 2016.
[52] E. A. Amarifio and M. Abdulkadir, “Effect of  Nanoparticles on the Rheological Properties of Water Based Mud”, International Journal of Science and Engineering, Applications, Volume 5, issue 1, pp. 7 – 11, 2016.
[53] A. R. Ismal, T. C. Seong, N. A. Buang, W. R. W. Sulaiman, “Improved Performance of Water-based Drilling Fluids Using Nanoparticles”, 5th Sriwijaya Int. Sem. on Energy and Env. Sci. and Techn., Indonesia, pp. 43 – 47, 2014.
[54] S. M. Khaled and H. H. Zeyad, “Improving the Drilling Fluid Performance by Alumina Oxide Nanoparticles”, International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 4, Issue 11, pp. 195 – 199, 2017.
[55] M. Rezakazemi, S. Mirzaei, M. Asghari and J. Ivakpour, “Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Asphaltene Separation from Crude Oil Using Ceramic Membrane Technology”, Oil and Gas Science and Technology – Rev. IFP Energies nouvelles, 72:6, Article number 34, pp. 72, 2017.
[56] N. N. Nassar, M. E. Al-Jabari and M. M. Husein, “Removal of Asphaltenes from Heavy Oil by Nano and Micro Particle Adsorption”, ACTA Press, The Lasted International Conference Computational Bioscience ComBio 2010, Nov. 1 – 3, 2010, Cambridge, MA, USA, 2008, pp. 1- 4.
[57] N. N. Nassar, “Asphaltene Adsorption onto Alumina Nanoparticles: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies”, Energy and Fuels Department of Chemical and petroleum Engineering, Alberta Ingenuity Center for In-situ Energy, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 2010, pp. 1 – 2.
[58] H. R. Nares, P. Schacht - Hernandez, M. A. R. Ramirez – Gamica and  M. C. Cabrera – Reyes, “Heavy Crude Oil Upgrading with Transition Metals”, Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, 15-16 April, 2007, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Paper No. 107837 - MS, 2007, pp. 1 - 4.
[59] M. Rezakazemi, S. Mirzaei, M. Asghari and J. Ivakpour. “Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles for High Efficient Asphaltene Separation from Crude Oil Using Ceramic Membrane Technology”, Oil and Gas Science and Technology – Revue d’IFP Energies nouvelles, Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP) 72 (6), pp. 34, 2017.
[60] D. Manyasree, P. Kiranmayi and R. V. Ravi Kumar, “Synthesis, Characterization and antibacterial Activity of Aluminum Oxide nanoparticles”, International J. of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 10(1):32, 2018. 
[61] M. Sadiq, S. Pakrashi, N. Chandrasekaran and A. Mukherjee, “Studies on Toxicity of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles to Microalgae Species: Scenedesmus Sp. and Clorella Sp.”, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Vol. 13, Issue 8, pp. 3287 – 3299, 2011.
[62] P. Hassanpour, Y. Panahi, A. Ebrahimi-Kalan, A. Akbarzadeh, S. Davaran, A. N. Nasibova, R. Khalilov, T. Kavetsky, “Biomedical Applications of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles”, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Micro and Nano Letters, 13 (9), pp. 1229, 2018.
[63] N. Doskocz, K. Affek and M. Zaleska-Radziwill, “Effect of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on Bacterial Growth”, Poland, E3S Web of Conferences 17, 00019, EKO-DOK, pp. 1 – 7, 2017.
[64] M. Ates, V. Demir, Z. Arsian, J. Daniels, I. O. Farah and C. Bogatu, “Evaluation of Alpha and Gamma Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticle Accumulation, Toxicity and Depuration in Artemia Salina Larvae”, Wiley P., Inc., 1 – 10, 2013.
[65] D. Manyasree, P. Kiranmayi and K. Venkatar, “Nanometal Oxides of Antimicrobial Agents (Al2O3, CuO, Fe2O4 and ZnO): A Comparative Study”, Indo American Journal of Pharmaceceutical Research, 9(01), pp. 1852-1859, 2019.
[66] J. E. Patino, “Nano catalyst for Hydrocracking and Methods of their Use”, Patent, USA, 2016.
[67] M. A. Kedzierski, R. Bringmoli, K. T. Quine and J. S. Brown, “Viscosity, Density and Thermal Conductivity of Aluminum Oxide and Zinc Oxide Lubricant”, Science Direct Elsevier, Int. J. of Refrigeration, 74, pp. 1 – 9, 2017.
[68] V. N. Kumar, N. M. Venkatesh and N. Alagumurthi, “Influence of Aluminum Oxide Al2O3 Nanoparticles Blended with Waste Cooking Oil in the Performance, Emission and Combustion Characteristics on a DI Diesel Engine”, Journal of Advanced Engineering Research, vol. 3, issue 1, pp. 66 – 71, 2016.
[69] M. A. Adzmi, A. Abdullah, Z. Abdullah and A. G. Mrwan, “Effect of Al2O3 Nanoparticles Blended with POME on Combustion, Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine”, International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, Pernerbit UMP Press, Vol. 16, Issue 3, pp. 6859-6873, 2019.
[70] A. K. Hossain and A. Hussain, “Impact of Nano Additives on the Performance and Combustion Characteristics of Neat Jatropha Biodiesel”, Energies, MDPI, pp. 1- 16, 2019.
[71] S. Karthikeyan, A. Elango, S. M. Silaimani and A. Prathima, “Role of Al2O3 Nano Additive in GSO Biodiesel on the Working Characteristics of a CI Engine”, Indian Journal of Chemical Technology, Vol. 21, pp. 285 – 289, 2014.
[72] M. Nouri, A. H. M. Isfahani and A. Shimeshan, “Effects of Fe2O3 and Al2O3 Nanoparticle – Diesel Fuel Blends on the Combustion, Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine”, Research square, 2021.
[73] H. A. Dhahad, A. S. Hamadi and S. A. Ali, “Effect of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles Fuel Additive on the Performance and Emissions of Diesel Engine”, Engineering and Technology Journal, Vol. 35, Part A, No. 9, pp. 956-960, 2017.
[74] C. S. Aalam, C. G. Saravanan and C. M. Samath, “Reduction of Diesel Engine Emissions Using Catalytic Converter with Nano Aluminium Oxide Catalyst”, International Journal for Emerging Science and Technology, Vol. 2, Issue 7, pp. 17-22, 2015.
[75] A. Nazari and S. Riahi, “The Effect of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on the Compressive Strength and Structure of Self-Compacting Concrete”, Vol. 64, Issue 1, pp. 71 – 82, 2015.
[76] T. Hurnaus and J. Plank, “Crosslinking of Guar and HPG based Fracturing Fluids Using ZrO2 Nanoparticles”, SPE Int. Symp. on Oilfield Chemistry, 2015.
[77] Y. J. J. Berlin, W. Lu, L. Zhang, A. Kan and P. Zhang, “Transport Study of Nanoparticles for Oil Field Application”, SPE Int. Conf. on Oil Field Scale, 2010.
[78] M. Z. M. Noor, N. A. Sollahunddin and S. Irawan, “Surface Modification of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on Detection of Crude Oil Production” Proceedings, MDPI, 2018, pp. 1 – 6.
[79] M. Z. M. Noor, M. Awang and S. Irawan, “Percentage Difference of Resistivity of Nanoparticles in Determining Crude Oil Using Sand-Pack Experimental Method”, Malaysian J. of Analytical Sci., 21(4), 972 – 978, 2017.