Preparation and Dispersion Performance of Hydrophobic Fumed Silica Aqueous Dispersion
Jinglu Xu,
Jihu Wang,
Shaoguo Wen
et al.
Abstract:Hydrophobic fumed silica (HFS) is a commonly used rheology additive in waterborne coatings. A series of experiments were conducted on the HFS-dispersing technology in this study. The size and structure of HFS primary particles were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The measurement results of the TEM were D50 = 13.6 nm and D90 = 19.7 nm, respectively. The particle size and dispersion performance of HFS were tested via dynamic light scattering (DLS). Additionally, the HFS aqueous dispersion wa… Show more
“…It finds extensive use in several domains, including polymer sciences, optics, medicine, thermal science, and the petrochemical industry, − among other fields. Presently, nano-SiO 2 can be synthesized through dry methods, such as gas-phase and arc methods, or wet methods, including vapor deposition, inverse microemulsion, precipitation, and Stöber methods . Among these, the Stöber method is favored for its gentle conditions, simple equipment, operational ease, cost-efficiency, and ability to produce SiO 2 microspheres with excellent dispersion and purity.…”
Nanofluids, as a novel material for tertiary oil recovery, have shown promising potential in enhancing water flooding efficiency in low-permeability reservoirs and increasing oil recovery rates. However, the risk of particle agglomeration arises when the particle size is too small. Challenges such as maintaining dispersion stability, efficient long-distance transportation of nanofluids, and preventing particle retention and agglomeration have emerged as key obstacles hindering the widespread adoption and large-scale implementation of nanoflooding technology in enhancing oil recovery in various reservoir conditions. With issues such as poor nanoparticle dispersion stability, costly reprocessing, and limited reservoir fluid compatibility addressed, nano-SiO 2 particles with average sizes of 45, 170, and 625 nm were synthesized using an enhanced particle size control technique based on the Stober method. The impact of these different particle sizes on dispersion, emulsion stability, oil−water interfacial tension (IFT), and viscosity reduction before and after modification with fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO) were investigated. The findings demonstrate that modified nano-SiO 2 exhibits enhanced stability and reduced oil−water IFT. At a primary AEO concentration of 0.25 wt %, micellar structure formation synergizes with SiO 2 to achieve optimal IFT reduction. Smaller SiO 2 particle sizes are more amenable to surface modification and exhibit superior adsorption capacity at the oil−water interface compared to larger particles, facilitating the interaction with asphaltene aggregates and, thereby, enhancing crude oil flowability. In a study, 170 nm nanosized SiO 2 demonstrated a substantial viscosity reduction effect, with an apparent viscosity reduction rate of 95.3% at 0.0025 wt % SiO 2 + 0.25 wt % AEO under test conditions of 45 °C and 5 s −1 , indicating a significant viscosity reduction effect. This research introduces a novel concept for designing nanofluids to repel oil in low-permeability tight oil reservoirs, establishing an oil repulsion system. These findings not only advance the theoretical understanding of enhanced recovery in such reservoirs but also contribute to the efficient development of conventional and unconventional oil and gas fields, including deep shale gas and ultraheavy and thick oil reservoirs.
“…It finds extensive use in several domains, including polymer sciences, optics, medicine, thermal science, and the petrochemical industry, − among other fields. Presently, nano-SiO 2 can be synthesized through dry methods, such as gas-phase and arc methods, or wet methods, including vapor deposition, inverse microemulsion, precipitation, and Stöber methods . Among these, the Stöber method is favored for its gentle conditions, simple equipment, operational ease, cost-efficiency, and ability to produce SiO 2 microspheres with excellent dispersion and purity.…”
Nanofluids, as a novel material for tertiary oil recovery, have shown promising potential in enhancing water flooding efficiency in low-permeability reservoirs and increasing oil recovery rates. However, the risk of particle agglomeration arises when the particle size is too small. Challenges such as maintaining dispersion stability, efficient long-distance transportation of nanofluids, and preventing particle retention and agglomeration have emerged as key obstacles hindering the widespread adoption and large-scale implementation of nanoflooding technology in enhancing oil recovery in various reservoir conditions. With issues such as poor nanoparticle dispersion stability, costly reprocessing, and limited reservoir fluid compatibility addressed, nano-SiO 2 particles with average sizes of 45, 170, and 625 nm were synthesized using an enhanced particle size control technique based on the Stober method. The impact of these different particle sizes on dispersion, emulsion stability, oil−water interfacial tension (IFT), and viscosity reduction before and after modification with fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO) were investigated. The findings demonstrate that modified nano-SiO 2 exhibits enhanced stability and reduced oil−water IFT. At a primary AEO concentration of 0.25 wt %, micellar structure formation synergizes with SiO 2 to achieve optimal IFT reduction. Smaller SiO 2 particle sizes are more amenable to surface modification and exhibit superior adsorption capacity at the oil−water interface compared to larger particles, facilitating the interaction with asphaltene aggregates and, thereby, enhancing crude oil flowability. In a study, 170 nm nanosized SiO 2 demonstrated a substantial viscosity reduction effect, with an apparent viscosity reduction rate of 95.3% at 0.0025 wt % SiO 2 + 0.25 wt % AEO under test conditions of 45 °C and 5 s −1 , indicating a significant viscosity reduction effect. This research introduces a novel concept for designing nanofluids to repel oil in low-permeability tight oil reservoirs, establishing an oil repulsion system. These findings not only advance the theoretical understanding of enhanced recovery in such reservoirs but also contribute to the efficient development of conventional and unconventional oil and gas fields, including deep shale gas and ultraheavy and thick oil reservoirs.
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