Effects of Various Nanoparticles on the Rheological Properties of Carboxylic Cellulose Nanofibers and the Compound System’s Application in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

The addition of nanoparticles (NPs) to polymer solutions can effectively improve the rheological and thermal properties of the polymer solution. However, the interaction between NPs and cellulose, a potential alternative for polymers applied in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), has been scarcely reported. In this work, the effects of three typical NPs (AlOOH, SiO 2 , and ZnO NPs) on the rheological properties, emulsifying ability, and resistance to harsh conditions of carboxylic cellulose nanofiber (CCNF) solutions were investigated thoroughly. The results indicate that only AlOOH NPs exert a positive impact on the CCNF's rheological properties, which should be ascribed to the delicate electrostatic attraction between the CCNF and AlOOH NPs. The intensified network of the CCNF/AlOOH system also results in a superior emulsifying performance and temperature and salt tolerance than other mixed CCNF/NPs systems. In the core flooding test, the CCNF/AlOOH system outperforms the individual CCNF system and the conventional partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, reflecting the potential of incorporating AlOOH NPs in the CCNF to promote the CCNF's practical application in EOR.

Perspectives in Nanocellulose for Crude Oil Recovery: A Minireview

“…91−93 Recently, dispersions containing inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and CNFs also exhibited improved rheological and emulsion stability performance than CNFs alone. 94 The addition of SiO 2 and ZnO NPs showed a detrimental effect on CNF (0.4 wt %, −37.5 mV ζ potential) dispersion viscosity. Viscosity in AlOOH/CNF mixtures (40 × 10 4 mPa s), on the other hand, increased almost 1 order of magnitude compared to CNFs (5 × 10 3 mPa s).…”

“…The growth in viscosity correlates directly with increased amounts of AlOOH NPs. The viscoelasticity of the AlOOH/CNF mixtures is possibly a consequence of a robust 3D network of hydrogen bonds combined with electrostatic attractions between positively charged AlOOH NPs (43.3 mV ζ potential) and negatively charged CNFs . Although increasing temperatures cause a viscosity decrease for all NPs/CNF systems, the consequence of the network disruption, the effect is not dramatic and the AlOOH/CNF system still exhibits viscosities upward of 10 4 mPa s at 70 °C.…”

“…Chemical flooding systems involving mixtures of inorganic nanoparticles (SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , and CuO) and synthetic polymers demonstrate increased salt and temperature tolerance in EOR operations. − Recently, dispersions containing inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and CNFs also exhibited improved rheological and emulsion stability performance than CNFs alone . The addition of SiO 2 and ZnO NPs showed a detrimental effect on CNF (0.4 wt %, −37.5 mV ζ potential) dispersion viscosity.…”

Synthesis and Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle and its Application in Chemical Enhanced oil Recovery

“…[22] Even though numerous processes describe the oil mobilization induced by the introduction of nanoparticles, the most widely explored mechanism that includes the incorporation of nanoparticles is the adsorption of these particles on the rock surface, which minimizes the IFT, pH changes, and modification in wetting properties. [23][24][25][26] Various nanofluids have been incorporated to increase the oil mobilization from the reservoir. Giraldo et al utilized alumina-based nanofluids for sandstone cores and discovered a more significant change in wettability, leading to increased oil recovery and better anionic surfactant performance with minimal nanoparticle quantity.…”

Experimental and modeling study of hydrophobic associative polyacrylamide for enhanced oil recovery in carbonate reservoir

“…As a result of these factors, the recommended temperature range for using polyacrylamide in seawater and brine during polymer flooding is 70-82 °C [20][21][22][23][24]. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) were employed as an alternative approach to fix the EOR challenges [25][26][27][28][29][30]. NPs are special as a result of their small size and huge surface area.…”