Composition to Interfacial Activity Relationship Approach of Petroleum Sulfonates by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

In the present work, petroleum sulfonates were obtained from three atmospheric residues (ARs) and characterized by negative-ion electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry [(−) ESI FT-ICR MS], looking for an approach to establish a relationship between molecular composition and interfacial activity for chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) formulations. From the correlation of the (−) ESI FT-ICR MS data and the interfacial tension measurements, it was possible to infer that the composition and some characteristics, such as aromatic and/or naphthenic condensation, must be taken into account to understand the performance of petroleum sulfonates. Obtained sulfonates contained mainly O3S, NO3S, O3S2, and O4S compounds, but the relative abundance of each class depended directly upon the chemical composition of the raw AR. Both carbon number (CN) and double bound equivalent (DBE) distributions of the main classes provided a way to explain the lipophilicity and interfacial activity of the sulfonates. This information can be useful to establish the initial characteristics desired in ARs to produce petroleum sulfonates with appropriate capabilities for CEOR applications.

Molecular-Level Characterization of Oil-Soluble Ketone/Aldehyde Photo-Oxidation Products by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry Reveals Similarity Between Microcosm and Field Samples

“…The molecular composition of petroleum comprises a structural/compositional continuum in carbon number, aromaticity, − heteroatom content, and molecular motifs (e.g., single-core versus multicore structures). − Particularly, the continuous composition of oxygen-containing species is of major interest because these compounds have significant impact on petroleum solubility, aggregation, and emulsifying behavior. ,− Previous work demonstrated a continuum distribution of O x species (e.g., O 1 , O 2 , O 3 , O 4 , O 5 , O 6 ), in weathered DWH samples, accessible by both positive and negative ESI FT-ICR MS. , The negative-ion species were identified as hydroxy and carboxylic acid functionalities and the positive-ion species contained ketone functionalities, based on GC×GC time-of-flight mass spectrometry through previously established fragmentation pathways . However, only some of the ions produced by (+) ESI are amenable to GC due to boiling point limitations, and therefore full characterization of the entire mass range was not possible.…”

Nanofluid of Petroleum Sulfonate Nanocapsules for Enhanced Oil Recovery in High-Temperature and High-Salinity Reservoirs

“…Formation of micellar and self-assembled structures has been widely studied using NMR spectroscopy. − 1 H NMR is used to differentiate between protons of molecules and polymers immobilized within the core of the micelles and self-assemblies from those that are on the outer shell and thus interact with the surrounding solvent. , Protons in the surrounding layers and outer shells exhibit sharper signals owing to their hydration and higher mobility. In contrast, protons within the insoluble core of the assembled structures exhibit broader signals or disappear from the NMR spectrum as a result of partial or complete dehydration and reduced freedom of movement. , Therefore, 1 H NMR was used to provide important information about the NS structures versus that of the individual components in D 2 O and in high-salinity D 2 O.…”

“…Therefore, utilizing inexpensive surfactants with acceptable performance is preferred. Petroleum sulfonates (PSs) are a low-cost family of surfactants that are readily available in large quantities and can be produced directly from crude oil. − They are not, however, stable under high-temperature, high-salinity (HTHS) conditions which limits their use in several major oil reservoirs. Enhancing the stability of PSs in high-salinity reservoir conditions could therefore unlock this class of surfactants for new uses that are previously unrealized.…”

Review on Sulfur Compounds in Petroleum and Its Products: State-of-the-Art and Perspectives

“…In recent years, it has been determined that S1O x compounds occupy a very high relative abundance in the mass spectra of the crude oil emulsification layer. − S1O3 class species are commonly found in some interfacial active substances and are generally considered to be artificial additives in the process of petroleum development, transportation, and processing . It is not clear whether sulfonates or sulfates exist in natural crude oil.…”