Modified Two‐Phase Titration Methods to Quantify Surfactant Concentrations in Chemical‐Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications

Abstract

In enhanced oil recovery applications, surfactants are injected into reservoirs along with polymers and salts. The effluents eluted from lab experiments and field tests are analyzed by HPLC methods using an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) detector. When the surfactant concentrations are less than 100 ppm, HPLC methods are inaccurate. A novel two-phase titration method is developed where surfactant concentrations can be quantified using a calibration curve constructed with UV/vis absorption. This method can analyze surfactant concentrations 5-80 ppm where dilution eliminates any high-salinity interferences with the absorption measurements. The method is based on formation of a dye-surfactant complex and the light absorption of the complex has a linear correlation with the surfactant concentration. Anionic surfactant concentrations lower than 100 ppm can be accurately quantified using this method with methylene blue. The method was also developed for low concentrations (<50 ppm) of cationic surfactants using methyl orange and indigo carmine. The indigo carmine method can be used without the use of an organic phase. All methods are applicable at salinities up to 3 wt%. Both the methylene blue method and the methyl orange method can be used to detect zwitterionic surfactants. These methods can be used in the presence of polymers without any prior treatments.

Analisis Status Kualitas Air di Sungai Porong yang Tercemar oleh Deterjen terhadap Respon Hematologi Ikan Java Barb (Barbonymus gonionotus)

“…This is due to the increased concentration of detergent, which causes methylene blue to lose its brightness and become paler (Asmare et al, 2022). The reaction between detergent and methylene blue forms a complex that binds detergent molecules with the dye, reducing the intensity of the blue color (Miller et al, 2020).…”

Performance evaluation of different types of surfactants to inhibit clay swelling during chemical enhanced oil recovery

“…[35][36][37] The main challenges include fluid incompatibility, [38,39] fine migration, [40,41] clay swelling, [42] and others. Due to the fact that, in order to maintain the efficiency of surfactants, water with less salinity is used, [43,44] the problems of fine migration and clay swelling are likely. In the condition that the injected water is not saturated with salt, the clay particles in the porous media of the reservoir rock either swell [45,46] or move.…”

Direct Potentiometric Study of Cationic and Nonionic Surfactants in Disinfectants and Personal Care Products by New Surfactant Sensor Based on 1,3-Dihexadecyl−1H-benzo[d]imidazol−3-ium

“…The regularly employed classical method for cationic surfactant determination is based on a two-phase titration with colorimetric signal change [ 12 ]. Even though the method has been recently improved [ 13 ], it has many drawbacks such as requiring the use of hazardous organic solvents or the need for experienced personnel and precise determination of errors for optical end-point readout.…”