Recently,
researchers have proved the application of nanoparticles
(NPs) for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in ambient temperature. However,
to our knowledge no attempt has been undertaken experimentally to
investigate the influence of NPs on EOR at higher temperatures. In
this study, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium
dioxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2) were
selected for EOR purposes from an intermediate-wet limestone sample
at 26, 40, 50, and 60 °C. These metal NPs were dispersed in deionized
water at concentration of 0.005 wt %. First, transportation of
the NPs through limestone was evaluated. It was found that Al2O3 (8.2%) had the lowest and TiO2 (27.8%)
and SiO2 (43.4%) had the highest adsorption on the limestone.
Consequently, wettability of the limestone was changed into water-wet
through NPs adsorption. The contact angle in the presence of Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2 nanofluids
was measured as 71° ± 2°, 57° ± 2°,
and 26° ± 2°, respectively. Interfacial tension was
also noticeably reduced with these nanofluids at all temperatures.
Al2O3 and TiO2 nanofluids respectively
demonstrated better results in EOR compared to SiO2 at
all temperatures. Reduction of capillary force was the main reason
for EOR via the nanofluids. Moreover, a considerable reduction in
oil viscosity was observed after Al2O3 and TiO2 nanofluids flooding at 50 and 60 °C.
A study was conducted on the puncture resistance of high-strength nonwoven natural rubber latex (NRL)-coated fabrics. High strength unidirectional (UD) polyethylene fabrics were coated using single dipping (SD), double dipping (DD), and triple dipping (TD) methods. The puncture resistance of the uncoated and coated fabrics was determined by measuring the force needed to penetrate the fabrics using a blunt probe. The mechanisms and modes of deformation involved during penetration were observed as well. In comparison with the uncoated fabrics, the SD, DD, and TD NRL coated fabrics gave higher puncture resistance of 39%, 47%, and 62%, respectively. The increments of the penetration force were proportional with the increase in the NRL-coated fabric thickness. For the uncoated fabric, the force given by the probe resulted in yarns stretching and yarn slippage upon penetration. However, the NRL-coated fabrics were not severely damaged but resulted in a curvature formed at the frontface of the fabric with minimal backface deformation. From the observations, the modes of failure were similar among the NRL-coated fabrics, that is, fiber stretching, delamination of NRL layer, and stretch marks on the fabric surface. The NRL layer acted as a protective sheath and increases the energy absorption and elasticity characteristics of the UD fabric.
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