Microfluidic Partition Coefficient Testing for Fluorescent Crude Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining partition coefficients between crude oil and an aqueous phase are inefficient, costly, hazardous, and incompatible with crude oil's high fluorescence background signal, limiting their accuracy and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a microfluidic mixing chip, an oil/water separation tube with functionalized fibers, and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system with optical detection is used to mix, separate, and measure tracer concentrations, allowing for rapid, accurate, and safe determination of partition coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional shake-flask method is used to determine partition coefficients, then the measurement can be performed with simple equipment, but the process is time-consuming, uses large amounts of hazardous solvents, and provides lower accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shake-flask method with a microfluidic system that uses controlled flow and pressure to achieve mixing and separation. The microfluidic chip with functionalized fibers provides automated, precise control of the partitioning process, eliminating manual shaking and significantly reducing determination time while improving measurement accuracy through consistent, repeatable operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs functionalized porous fibers within the microfluidic chip to enhance the partitioning process. These porous materials provide large surface area for tracer distribution between oil and aqueous phases, improving equilibrium achievement and measurement precision while reducing the volume of solvents required compared to traditional shake-flask methods
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional methods are used, then the procedure is simple to set up, but they require large amounts of hazardous solvents creating safety and health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically changes the scale parameters of the system by transitioning from macro-scale shake-flask to micro-scale fluidic operations. This parameter change reduces solvent volumes from milliliter to microliter scales, minimizing hazardous solvent exposure and eliminating the need for large-volume solvent handling while maintaining effective partition coefficient determination
Solution Approach 2:
The closed microfluidic system creates an isolated environment that contains hazardous solvents within sealed channels, preventing exposure to operators. The system's design inherently protects users from solvent vapors and spills, effectively creating a safe operational atmosphere without requiring additional protective measures
3Measurement precision
If conventional systems are used, then the setup is straightforward, but they cannot handle crude oil's high fluorescence background signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by separating the fluorescence measurement from the crude oil matrix through microfluidic phase separation. The functionalized fibers enable distinct oil and aqueous phase regions, allowing tracer fluorescence to be measured in the aqueous phase where crude oil fluorescence interference is eliminated, thus improving detection accuracy while maintaining adaptability to crude oil samples
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces functionalized porous fibers as an intermediary medium between the crude oil sample and the detection system. These fibers facilitate selective tracer partitioning into the aqueous phase, acting as a mediator that separates the tracer signal from the crude oil fluorescence background, enabling accurate measurements in crude oil applications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides rapid, accurate, and safe determination of partition coefficients with reduced solvent use, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple tracers and overcoming fluorescence interference, suitable for crude oil samples.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the aqueous solution and the crude oil in the microfluidic mixing device to form a mixture
Implementation Method 2
disposing the mixture in a separation tube including functionalized fibers; using the separation tube to separate an aqueous phase of the mixture from a crude oil phase of the mixture
Implementation Method 3
using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system capable of detecting an optical parameter to measure the first tracer in the aqueous phase
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to systems and methods to determine partition coefficients between crude oil and an aqueous phase for oil and gas tracers. The systems and methods include a microfluidic mixing chip to mix the crude oil and aqueous phase, an oil/water separation tube capable of separating the oil and aqueous phases, and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system with optical detection to collect tracer concentration data to determine the partition coefficients.