The quantification and characterization of suspended solids (emulsions) in a variety of oil field related fluids has long been a challenge to the industry. Drilling mud, produced water and hydraulic fluids have specific quality specifications regarding the presence or absence of particles. Particulate matter in the sub-visible and sub-micron range often serve as reliable predictors of overall particle concentrations and therefore present the opportunity to predict or prevent problems within the process.

In this study, Her et al. assess the ability of the FlowCam Nano, a nano-flow imaging instrument by Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc. to characterize nano- and microparticles in a liquid sample. The nano-flow imaging instrument simultaneously imaged, counted, and characterized the nano- and microparticles present in the liquid.

This study showed how the nano-flow imaging instrument can generate highly resolved images of nano- and microparticulates sized 300 nm to 30 µm which enables improved identification of the particulates in the liquid and their origin.

The oil-immersion, blue LED-equipped nano-flow imaging instrument has shown capabilities in assessing particulates in many fluids. This technology could improve the detection and identification of nano- and microparticulate in source water and assess the efficacy of nano- and microparticulate removal in water treatment processes.

Primary Author:
Cheng Her
Post Doc at UC Denver
Skaggs School of Pharmacy

Conference Presenter:
Kent Peterson
CEO & Presdient
Fluid Imaging Technologies
Scarborough, ME, USA

WEBSITE: www.fluidimaging.com

Co-Authors:
Christian Sieracki, Fluid Imaging Technologies, Scarborough, ME
Kent Peterson, Fluid Imaging Technologies, Scarborough, ME
Christian Mills, Fluid Imaging Technologies, Scarborough ME
John Carpenter, University of Colorado Denver Skaggs School of Pharmacy