Nanoparticle Stabilized CO2 Foam: Effect of Different Ions

Abstract

This paper reports the study of the effect of different ions (monovalent, bivalent, and multiple ions) on nanosilica-stabilized CO2 foam generation. CO2 foam was generated by co-injecting CO2/5,000 ppm nanosilica dispersion (dispersed in different concentrations of brine) into a sandstone core under 1,500 psi and room temperature. A sapphire observation cell was used to determine the foam texture and foam stability. Pressure drop across the core was measured to estimate the foam mobility. The results indicated that more CO2 foam was generated as the NaCl concentration increased from 1.0% to 10%. Also the foam texture became denser and foam stability improved with the NaCl concentration increase. The CO2 foam mobility decreased from 13.1 md/cp to 2.6 md/cp when the NaCl concentration increased from 1% to 10%. For the bivalent ions, the generated CO2 foam mobility decreased from 19.7 md/cp to 4.8 md/cp when CaCl2 concentration increased from 0.1% to 1.0%. Synthetic produced water with total dissolved solids of 17,835 ppm was prepared to investigate the effect of multiple ions on foam generation. The results showed that dense, stable CO2 foam was generated as the synthetic produced water and nanosilica dispersion/CO2 flowed through a porous medium. The lifetime of the foam was observed to be more than two days as the foam stood at room temperature. Mobility of the foam was calculated as 5.2 md/cp.

The effect of foam quality, particle concentration and flow rate on nanoparticle-stabilized CO2 mobility control foams

“…In our previous studies, the effects of different ions and temperature on nanosilica-stabilized CO 2 foam generation were studied. 15 More CO 2 foam was generated as the NaCl concentration increased from 1.0% to 10%. Also the foam texture became ner and foam stability improved with the NaCl concentration increase.…”

Stability Mechanism of Nitrogen Foam in Porous Media with Silica Nanoparticles Modified by Cationic Surfactants

“…The production processes are complicated and costly. In a previous case, the surface activity of NPs can also be regulated by changing the solution salinity . Although this method costs less, in many natural settings and industrial applications, the salinity is hard to change, such as in an oil reservoir, which limits the application.…”

“…Anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactant, even polymers, were used to act with NPs. ,,,,,,− The objective of this method is to decorate the surface of NPs in situ through physio-chemical interactions. Liu et al utilized the electrostatic interaction between cellulose nanoparticle and functionalized polymer to increase the surfactancy of the NPs. The formation, assembly, and jamming of the modified NPs at the interface form a monolayer which brings exceptional mechanical properties.…”

“…In a previous case, the surface activity of NPs can also be regulated by changing the solution salinity. 40 Although this method costs less, in many natural settings and industrial applications, the salinity is hard to change, such as in an oil reservoir, which limits the application. For the sake of simplicity, researchers have proposed mixing NPs with surface-active agents to increase the surface activity of NPs.…”

An Evaluation of Graphene Oxides as Possible Foam Stabilizing Agents for CO2 Based Enhanced Oil Recovery

“…However, the mixing energy required to adsorb at interfaces is larger than traditional surfactant stabilized systems. This is an important disadvantage for oil recovery [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Typically, oil field flow velocities do not exceed a few feet/day which results in low mixing energy.…”