Synthesis of colloidal silica nanofluid and assessment of its impact on interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability for enhanced oil recovery (EOR)

Abstract

Ever-increasing global energy demand, from one hand and reduced oil initially in place in oil reservoirs due to production and reduced natural reservoir production capacity, on the other hand, has encouraged researchers to investigate different methods to improve and increase enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from oil reservoirs. One method is to employ nanotechnology in injected water, where nanoparticles could affect interfacial tension (IFT) between water and oil and wettability through properties, including high specific surface area and nanoparticle size. However, a major challenge in using nanoparticles in injected water is the instability of these particles in water, which ultimately reduces the efficiency of EOR. These particles cannot be stabilized through conventional methods at a large scale. In this study, stabilized silica nanoparticles were synthesized in the water phase using sodium silicate and sol–gel processes. The stability of this nanofluid was studied in seawater, and then its effect on IFT and changing wettability was examined. According to the results, seawater containing 40 times diluted nanofluid could obtain 41% reduced IFT and 40% alteration in wettability of carbonate core becoming more water-wet and ultimately 13.7% improved final oil recovery in secondary oil recovery and 8.3% improved final oil recovery in third EOR.

Ionic liquids adsorption and interfacial tension reduction for synthetic resinous and asphaltenic oils: salinity and pH effects

“…Among the chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) injection of the alkaline solution is highly effective, especially as a relatively inexpensive chemical method for higher oil production using pH manipulation 1 , 2 . The appearance of such a method dates back to 1917 when F. Squires proposed this method for oil displacement.…”

Utilizing triethylenetetramine-functionalized MIP-206 for highly efficient removal of Pb(II) from wastewater

“…Lewis acids, for instance lead ions capable of accepting electrons, can establish coordinate bonds with the S and N atoms (functioning as Lewis bases) 16 . This leads to the buildup of these substances in the ecosystem and the human body 17 , 18 . Lead ions are recognized as highly toxic pollutants, posing significant risks to various parts of the body 19 – 21 .…”