Determination of the Preferred CarbonNanostructure for the Synthesis of Silica Nanohybrid for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Tehran, I.R. IRAN

Abstract

In this research, two different kinds of Carbon nanostructures (nanoporous graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes) were used for preparing silica nanohybrids with the sol-gel method and their Pickering emulsions properties were evaluated in order to the selection of the preferred Carbon nanostructure in preparing the related silica nanohybrid for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (C-EOR). Therefore, we have prepared different carbon structures nanohybrids with SiO2 nanoparticles with different weight percentages. The samples were characterized with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Thermal Gravimetry Analysis (TGA). Pickering emulsions of these nanohybrids were prepared with n-Octane as oil model, suitable anionic surfactant (such as SDBS) and 2-Propanol as alcoholic co-surfactant at pH=7 in ambient temperature and with distilled water. Stability of the mentioned Pickering emulsions was controlled for one month. Emulsion phase morphology was investigated using optical microscopic imaging. Evaluation results demonstrated that the best samples are 70% Nano porous Graphene/SiO2 (both methods) and 70% MWCNT/ SiO2 Nano hybrid (method 2). Contact angle measurement results showed that the 70% Nanoporous Graphene/SiO2 Nano hybrid (method 2) is more effective for improvement of the stone reservoir wettability alteration from oil-wet to water-wet. Interfacial tension results indicate that the maximum amount is related to the injection of water and the minimum amount is related to the injection of Nano fluid of 70% Nano porous Graphene/SiO2 Nano hybrid (method 2). This result indicates preference of 70% Nano porous Graphene/SiO2 Nanohybrid (method 2) for decreasing the interfacial tension in comparison to the other samples. Therefore, 70% Nano porous Graphene/SiO2 nanohybrid (method 2) Pickering emulsion can be used for C-EOR.

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References

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Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran
Volume 40, Issue 4 - Serial Number 102
December 2021
Pages 215-223

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