Enhanced Scale Dissolution Using EDTA-2D-Substrate Composite Materials

In the petroleum industry, barium sulfate and calcium sulfate are among the most persistent and problematic inorganic scales. Their low solubility in water often leads to severe operational challenges, including pipeline blockages and reduced hydrocarbon flow. Therefore, developing effective scale-dissolving materials is essential for maintaining production efficiency and equipment integrity. In this study, newly developed flow assurance materials were introduced that demonstrated excellent performance in dissolving barium and calcium sulfate scales with high efficiency at both low and high temperatures and minimal precipitation tendency. Thermally stable and corrosion-resistant two-dimensional substrates (2D), graphene (CG), boron nitride (BN), and their composite (CG+BN) were immobilized with only 10% of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) using a simple, single-step synthesis method. These functional 2D-substrate composites effectively dissolved barium/calcium scales separately and simultaneously, outperforming EDTA alone. The results highlight an effective and environmentally benign approach, offering a sustainable and practical alternative for improving flow assurance and mitigating scale-related issues in petroleum operations.