Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Inorganic Scale Deposition in Carbonated Micromodels

In this study, a series of experiments have been conducted on glass micromodel to investigate the effect of different parameters on the gradual process of Barium Sulphate precipitation. Due to the visual nature of the glass micromodel, the shape, size and distribution of scaling formation in a carbonate-rock-look-alike pattern with water-wet characteristics is precisely observable. In addition, an exponential functionality (correlation) was proposed which incorporates all physical parameters affecting the behavior of the system in a dimensionless form. Reynolds number and deviation from equilibrium conditions are the backbones of this correlation. The adjustable exponents of the equation were determined by using a suitable optimization algorithm. This meaningful correlation can also predict the core extracted data with reasonable accuracy. The microscopy observation results confirmed that the deposition is initiated and extended in the middle space of pores and throats. In addition, by increasing the temperature and brine concentration as well as by decreasing the flow rate, the size of crystals was grown. Moreover, the experimental results indicated that by increasing the temperature and brine concentration as well as by decreasing the flow rate, the scaling tendency was increased.