Behnam ranjbar | Isfahan University of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Behnam ranjbar

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the mechanism of interfacial tension reduction through the combination of low-salinity water and bacteria

Scientific reports, May 18, 2024

In the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process, interfacial tension (IFT) has become a crucial factor... more In the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process, interfacial tension (IFT) has become a crucial factor because of its impact on the recovery of residual oil. The use of surfactants and biosurfactants can reduce IFT and enhance oil recovery by decreasing it. Asphaltene in crude oil has the structural ability to act as a surface-active material. In microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), biosurfactant production, even in small amounts, is a significant mechanism that reduces IFT. This study aimed to investigate fluid/fluid interaction by combining low biosurfactant values and low-salinity water using NaCl, MgCl 2 , and CaCl 2 salts at concentrations of 0, 1000, and 5000 ppm, along with Geobacillus stearothermophilus. By evaluating the IFT, this study investigated different percentages of 0, 1, and 5 wt.% of varying asphaltene with aqueous bulk containing low-salinity water and its combination with bacteria. The results indicated G. Stearothermophilus led to the formation of biosurfactants, resulting in a reduction in IFT for both acidic and basic asphaltene. Moreover, the interaction between asphaltene and G. Stearothermophilus with higher asphaltene percentages showed a decrease in IFT under both acidic and basic conditions. Additionally, the study found that the interaction between acidic asphaltene and G. stearothermophilus, in the presence of CaCl 2 , NaCl, and MgCl 2 salts, resulted in a higher formation of biosurfactants and intrinsic surfactants at the interface of the two phases, in contrast to the interaction involving basic asphaltene. These findings emphasize the dependence of the interactions between asphaltene and G. Stearothermophilus, salt, and bacteria on the specific type and concentration of asphaltene.

Research paper thumbnail of Author Correction: Investigating the mechanism of interfacial tension reduction through the combination of low-salinity water and bacteria

Scientific reports, Jun 18, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Other thermal methods

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of bacteria on oil/water interfacial tension in asphaltenic oil reservoirs

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2022

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosu... more Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosurfactants generated by microorganisms in the reservoir, can play a role in reducing interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration. In this work, the fluid-fluid interaction by measuring the IFT has been evaluated for combining two EOR methods, including low salinity water and MEOR, due to the high importance of fluid-fluid interaction in EOR. Geobacillus stearothermophilus has been used as a bacterium to study changes in IFT. The effect of different salts, including monovalent and divalent cations and anions at different salinities, on biosurfactant performance, is investigated using IFT measurements. Also, the type of oil is evaluated in terms of its acidic and basic properties on the performance of biosurfactants. According to the results of this study, injection of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria reduces interfacial tension in acidic oil by 10.26% and in basic oil by 5.26%. According to the results, increasing salinity in the presence of oil-containing asphaltene with basic properties increases the IFT of the solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria, but in the presence of acidic oil, a decrease in IFT is observed. The most significant effect of reducing the IFT of acidic oil and solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus is obtained in the presence of the following salts, respectively: CaCl2>MgCl2>NaCl. The results show that with increasing CaCl2 concentration, the IFT between basic oil and Geobacillus stearothermophilus solution gradually increases. This ascending trend is in the presence of NaCl salt with a lower slope. However, in the presence of MgCl2 salt, dual behavior is observed before and after the concentration of 1000 ppm, so that before this concentration, the IFT increases and then decreases. The findings of this study can help for a better understanding of the interaction of bacteria with asphaltenic oils in the presence of effective salts for low salinity water injection. The results of this study showed that by combining low salinity water with bacteria, less IFT could be obtained than low salinity water or bacteria alone.

Research paper thumbnail of Smart water injection

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Bacteria on Oil/Water Interfacial Tension in Asphaltenic Oil Reservoirs

Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2022

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosu... more Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosurfactants generated by microorganisms in the reservoir, can play a role in reducing interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration. In this work, the fluid-fluid interaction by measuring the IFT has been evaluated for combining two EOR methods, including low salinity water and MEOR, due to the high importance of fluid-fluid interaction in EOR. Geobacillus stearothermophilus has been used as a bacterium to study changes in IFT. The effect of different salts, including monovalent and divalent cations and anions at different salinities, on biosurfactant performance, is investigated using IFT measurements. Also, the type of oil is evaluated in terms of its acidic and basic properties on the performance of biosurfactants. According to the results of this study, injection of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria reduces interfacial tension in acidic oil by 10.26% and in basic oil by 5.26%. According to the results, increasing salinity in the presence of oil-containing asphaltene with basic properties increases the IFT of the solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria, but in the presence of acidic oil, a decrease in IFT is observed. The most significant effect of reducing the IFT of acidic oil and solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus is obtained in the presence of the following salts, respectively: CaCl2>MgCl2>NaCl. The results show that with increasing CaCl2 concentration, the IFT between basic oil and Geobacillus stearothermophilus solution gradually increases. This ascending trend is in the presence of NaCl salt with a lower slope. However, in the presence of MgCl2 salt, dual behavior is observed before and after the concentration of 1000 ppm, so that before this concentration, the IFT increases and then decreases. The findings of this study can help for a better understanding of the interaction of bacteria with asphaltenic oils in the presence of effective salts for low salinity water injection. The results of this study showed that by combining low salinity water with bacteria, less IFT could be obtained than low salinity water or bacteria alone.

Books by Behnam ranjbar

Research paper thumbnail of Smart water injection

Gulf Professional Publishing, 2022

The use of smart water has become the main priority for most oil companies due to significant ben... more The use of smart water has become the main priority for most oil companies due to significant benefits shown in various studies. The considerable potential of this method in increasing oil recovery along with the economic considerations has caused the study of smart water injection as an EOR method to have significant development. Smart water injection due to advantages such as low cost, availability, the possibility of use in different conditions (deep reservoirs and high-temperature reservoirs), the possibility of combining with other EOR methods (carbonate smart water, surfactant flooding, WAG, alkaline flooding, etc.), and good recovery potential has all the characteristics of an optimal EOR method. In this review, important and effective parameters and operating mechanisms for smart water injection in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs are briefly described.

Conference Presentations by Behnam ranjbar

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental investigation of the interaction of asphaltene and bacteria at the aqueous phase/oil interface

26th World Congress on BiotechnologyAt: Singapore, 2022

The reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) due to its effects on the recovery of residual oil has... more The reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) due to its effects on the recovery of residual oil has made it a very important element in the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. Surfactants or biosurfactants can reduce IFT and improve recovery by decreasing IFT. The structure of asphaltene in crude oil makes it capable of acting as a surface-active material. On the other hand, the formation of biosurfactants, which reduce IFT, is one of the major mechanisms for microbial enhanced oil recovery. In the present study, with the aim of investigating the interaction of asphaltene and Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria, the percentages of 0, 1, 5, and 6.4% of asphaltene in oil with bacteria were investigated in the presence of NaCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 salts at salinities of 0, 1000ppm and 5000ppm. The results showed that the presence of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria due to the formation of biosurfactant will be able to reduce IFT both in the presence of salt and in the absence of salt. Results show that asphaltene along with Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria has a complex interaction at the two-phase interface, resulting in a dual behavior in IFT with the increase in asphaltene content. The results showed that increasing the percentage of asphaltene to one percent will cause the biosurfactant to move away from the aqueous phase/oil interface, resulting in increased IFT. Further increase of asphaltene percentage from 1 has shown that the interaction of asphaltene and bacteria to produce intrinsic surfactant and biosurfactant in both the presence of salt and in the absence of salt to reduce IFT. The behavior of bacteria and asphaltene in the presence of different salts at different salinities has shown that the formation of biosurfactants arising from bacteria and intrinsic surfactants arising from asphaltene will be determined by how salt interacts with bacteria and asphaltene.

Research paper thumbnail of Geochemical Characteristics of Bangestan Reservoir in one of the S.W. Iranian Oilfield

3rd Biennial Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Conference (OGPC2020), 2020

Organic geochemistry is admitted as a potential approach for hydrocarbon system analysis. This st... more Organic geochemistry is admitted as a potential approach for hydrocarbon system analysis. This study provides a typical example from detailed geochemical analysis on oil samples taken from Sarvak and Ilam carbonate reservoirs within a giant oilfield in Dezful embayment, southwest Iran. Bulk oil composition data suggest significant differences between the oil samples, especially, in terms of API and Saturate/Aromatic ratio. This was further confirmed based on the results of Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis (DHA). On the other hand, based on the derived biomarker data, Sarvak and Ilam reservoirs were most probably charged from a dominantly shale and carbonate source rock, respectively, deposited within an open marine source rock including kerogen type II. Moreover, oil samples taken from Sarvak reservoir shows a considerably higher thermal maturity than the ones collected from Ilam reservoir that could be due to the differences in source rock formation or its facies. This condition can be explained based on the observed high to moderate concentration of Oleanane/C30H ratio in Ilam oil samples that suggest contribution of carbonate-rich Pabdeh formation as a source rock. However, another possible scenario is regional variation in lithological facies of Kazhdumi formation.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the mechanism of interfacial tension reduction through the combination of low-salinity water and bacteria

Scientific reports, May 18, 2024

In the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process, interfacial tension (IFT) has become a crucial factor... more In the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process, interfacial tension (IFT) has become a crucial factor because of its impact on the recovery of residual oil. The use of surfactants and biosurfactants can reduce IFT and enhance oil recovery by decreasing it. Asphaltene in crude oil has the structural ability to act as a surface-active material. In microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), biosurfactant production, even in small amounts, is a significant mechanism that reduces IFT. This study aimed to investigate fluid/fluid interaction by combining low biosurfactant values and low-salinity water using NaCl, MgCl 2 , and CaCl 2 salts at concentrations of 0, 1000, and 5000 ppm, along with Geobacillus stearothermophilus. By evaluating the IFT, this study investigated different percentages of 0, 1, and 5 wt.% of varying asphaltene with aqueous bulk containing low-salinity water and its combination with bacteria. The results indicated G. Stearothermophilus led to the formation of biosurfactants, resulting in a reduction in IFT for both acidic and basic asphaltene. Moreover, the interaction between asphaltene and G. Stearothermophilus with higher asphaltene percentages showed a decrease in IFT under both acidic and basic conditions. Additionally, the study found that the interaction between acidic asphaltene and G. stearothermophilus, in the presence of CaCl 2 , NaCl, and MgCl 2 salts, resulted in a higher formation of biosurfactants and intrinsic surfactants at the interface of the two phases, in contrast to the interaction involving basic asphaltene. These findings emphasize the dependence of the interactions between asphaltene and G. Stearothermophilus, salt, and bacteria on the specific type and concentration of asphaltene.

Research paper thumbnail of Author Correction: Investigating the mechanism of interfacial tension reduction through the combination of low-salinity water and bacteria

Scientific reports, Jun 18, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Other thermal methods

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of bacteria on oil/water interfacial tension in asphaltenic oil reservoirs

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2022

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosu... more Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosurfactants generated by microorganisms in the reservoir, can play a role in reducing interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration. In this work, the fluid-fluid interaction by measuring the IFT has been evaluated for combining two EOR methods, including low salinity water and MEOR, due to the high importance of fluid-fluid interaction in EOR. Geobacillus stearothermophilus has been used as a bacterium to study changes in IFT. The effect of different salts, including monovalent and divalent cations and anions at different salinities, on biosurfactant performance, is investigated using IFT measurements. Also, the type of oil is evaluated in terms of its acidic and basic properties on the performance of biosurfactants. According to the results of this study, injection of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria reduces interfacial tension in acidic oil by 10.26% and in basic oil by 5.26%. According to the results, increasing salinity in the presence of oil-containing asphaltene with basic properties increases the IFT of the solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria, but in the presence of acidic oil, a decrease in IFT is observed. The most significant effect of reducing the IFT of acidic oil and solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus is obtained in the presence of the following salts, respectively: CaCl2>MgCl2>NaCl. The results show that with increasing CaCl2 concentration, the IFT between basic oil and Geobacillus stearothermophilus solution gradually increases. This ascending trend is in the presence of NaCl salt with a lower slope. However, in the presence of MgCl2 salt, dual behavior is observed before and after the concentration of 1000 ppm, so that before this concentration, the IFT increases and then decreases. The findings of this study can help for a better understanding of the interaction of bacteria with asphaltenic oils in the presence of effective salts for low salinity water injection. The results of this study showed that by combining low salinity water with bacteria, less IFT could be obtained than low salinity water or bacteria alone.

Research paper thumbnail of Smart water injection

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Bacteria on Oil/Water Interfacial Tension in Asphaltenic Oil Reservoirs

Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2022

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosu... more Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), due to the formation of biofilm and the presence of biosurfactants generated by microorganisms in the reservoir, can play a role in reducing interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration. In this work, the fluid-fluid interaction by measuring the IFT has been evaluated for combining two EOR methods, including low salinity water and MEOR, due to the high importance of fluid-fluid interaction in EOR. Geobacillus stearothermophilus has been used as a bacterium to study changes in IFT. The effect of different salts, including monovalent and divalent cations and anions at different salinities, on biosurfactant performance, is investigated using IFT measurements. Also, the type of oil is evaluated in terms of its acidic and basic properties on the performance of biosurfactants. According to the results of this study, injection of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria reduces interfacial tension in acidic oil by 10.26% and in basic oil by 5.26%. According to the results, increasing salinity in the presence of oil-containing asphaltene with basic properties increases the IFT of the solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria, but in the presence of acidic oil, a decrease in IFT is observed. The most significant effect of reducing the IFT of acidic oil and solution containing Geobacillus stearothermophilus is obtained in the presence of the following salts, respectively: CaCl2>MgCl2>NaCl. The results show that with increasing CaCl2 concentration, the IFT between basic oil and Geobacillus stearothermophilus solution gradually increases. This ascending trend is in the presence of NaCl salt with a lower slope. However, in the presence of MgCl2 salt, dual behavior is observed before and after the concentration of 1000 ppm, so that before this concentration, the IFT increases and then decreases. The findings of this study can help for a better understanding of the interaction of bacteria with asphaltenic oils in the presence of effective salts for low salinity water injection. The results of this study showed that by combining low salinity water with bacteria, less IFT could be obtained than low salinity water or bacteria alone.

Research paper thumbnail of Smart water injection

Gulf Professional Publishing, 2022

The use of smart water has become the main priority for most oil companies due to significant ben... more The use of smart water has become the main priority for most oil companies due to significant benefits shown in various studies. The considerable potential of this method in increasing oil recovery along with the economic considerations has caused the study of smart water injection as an EOR method to have significant development. Smart water injection due to advantages such as low cost, availability, the possibility of use in different conditions (deep reservoirs and high-temperature reservoirs), the possibility of combining with other EOR methods (carbonate smart water, surfactant flooding, WAG, alkaline flooding, etc.), and good recovery potential has all the characteristics of an optimal EOR method. In this review, important and effective parameters and operating mechanisms for smart water injection in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs are briefly described.

Research paper thumbnail of Experimental investigation of the interaction of asphaltene and bacteria at the aqueous phase/oil interface

26th World Congress on BiotechnologyAt: Singapore, 2022

The reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) due to its effects on the recovery of residual oil has... more The reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) due to its effects on the recovery of residual oil has made it a very important element in the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. Surfactants or biosurfactants can reduce IFT and improve recovery by decreasing IFT. The structure of asphaltene in crude oil makes it capable of acting as a surface-active material. On the other hand, the formation of biosurfactants, which reduce IFT, is one of the major mechanisms for microbial enhanced oil recovery. In the present study, with the aim of investigating the interaction of asphaltene and Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria, the percentages of 0, 1, 5, and 6.4% of asphaltene in oil with bacteria were investigated in the presence of NaCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 salts at salinities of 0, 1000ppm and 5000ppm. The results showed that the presence of Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria due to the formation of biosurfactant will be able to reduce IFT both in the presence of salt and in the absence of salt. Results show that asphaltene along with Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacteria has a complex interaction at the two-phase interface, resulting in a dual behavior in IFT with the increase in asphaltene content. The results showed that increasing the percentage of asphaltene to one percent will cause the biosurfactant to move away from the aqueous phase/oil interface, resulting in increased IFT. Further increase of asphaltene percentage from 1 has shown that the interaction of asphaltene and bacteria to produce intrinsic surfactant and biosurfactant in both the presence of salt and in the absence of salt to reduce IFT. The behavior of bacteria and asphaltene in the presence of different salts at different salinities has shown that the formation of biosurfactants arising from bacteria and intrinsic surfactants arising from asphaltene will be determined by how salt interacts with bacteria and asphaltene.

Research paper thumbnail of Geochemical Characteristics of Bangestan Reservoir in one of the S.W. Iranian Oilfield

3rd Biennial Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Conference (OGPC2020), 2020

Organic geochemistry is admitted as a potential approach for hydrocarbon system analysis. This st... more Organic geochemistry is admitted as a potential approach for hydrocarbon system analysis. This study provides a typical example from detailed geochemical analysis on oil samples taken from Sarvak and Ilam carbonate reservoirs within a giant oilfield in Dezful embayment, southwest Iran. Bulk oil composition data suggest significant differences between the oil samples, especially, in terms of API and Saturate/Aromatic ratio. This was further confirmed based on the results of Gas Chromatography (GC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis (DHA). On the other hand, based on the derived biomarker data, Sarvak and Ilam reservoirs were most probably charged from a dominantly shale and carbonate source rock, respectively, deposited within an open marine source rock including kerogen type II. Moreover, oil samples taken from Sarvak reservoir shows a considerably higher thermal maturity than the ones collected from Ilam reservoir that could be due to the differences in source rock formation or its facies. This condition can be explained based on the observed high to moderate concentration of Oleanane/C30H ratio in Ilam oil samples that suggest contribution of carbonate-rich Pabdeh formation as a source rock. However, another possible scenario is regional variation in lithological facies of Kazhdumi formation.