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Tetteh J, Kubelka J, Qin L, Piri M. Effect of ethylene oxide groups on calcite wettability reversal by nonionic surfactants: An experimental and molecular dynamics simulation investigation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 676:408-416. [PMID: 39033675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.07.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are promising candidates for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from oil-wet carbonate reservoirs due to their ability to reverse the mineral wettability. The wettability-reversal efficiency increases with the number of the ethoxy (EO) groups in the surfactant molecule. METHODOLOGY Contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were combined to investigate the wettability reversal of an oil-wet calcite by three ethoxylated nonionic surfactants with 1, 4 and 8 EO groups, respectively, to directly probe the role of the EO groups and to uncover the molecular mechanism responsible for the wettability reversal. FINDINGS Both experiments and simulations consistently show a clear correlation between the number of EO groups and the wettability reversal efficiency of the surfactants, whereby the higher number of EO groups results in greater degree of wettability reversal. This is due to 1) the more hydrophilic surfactant headgroup weakening the carboxylate interactions with the surface by expanding the surface-adjacent water layer, and 2) the physically larger surfactant molecule attracting the carboxylates more strongly, thus aiding in their removal from the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Tetteh
- Center of Innovation for Flow through Porous Media, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Jan Kubelka
- Center of Innovation for Flow through Porous Media, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Ling Qin
- Center of Innovation for Flow through Porous Media, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - Mohammad Piri
- Center of Innovation for Flow through Porous Media, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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Fang J, Ji B, Wang X, Yuan S, Yu H. New insight into the role of the self-assembly of heteroatom compounds in heavy oil viscosity enhancement. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:14857-14865. [PMID: 38738300 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05416k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Unveiling the role of heteroatom compounds in heavy oil viscosity is pivotal for finding targeted viscosity reduction methods to improve oil recovery. This research investigates the impact of heteroatoms in asphaltene molecules by utilizing quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze their electrostatic potential characteristics, pairwise interactions, and dynamic behavior within realistic reservoirs. Heteroatom compounds can influence the molecular-level properties of asphaltenes and thus impact the macroscopic behavior of heavy oils. Research results suggest that the presence of ketone and aromatic rings in asphaltene molecules leads to the unrestricted movement of pi electrons due to their collective electronegativity. Two distinct configurations of asphaltene dimers, face-to-face, and edge-to-face, were observed. Intermolecular interactions were predominantly governed by van der Waals forces, highlighting their significant role in stabilizing asphaltene aggregates. The distribution of asphaltene molecules in the oil phase can be summarized as the "rebar-cement" theory. In the heteroatom-free system, the face-to-face peaks in the radial distribution function exhibit significantly reduced magnitudes compared to those in the heteroatom-containing system. This emphasizes the pivotal function of heteroatoms in connecting molecular components to form a more compact asphaltene structure, which may result in a higher viscosity of heavy oil. These findings give insight into the significance of heteroatoms in bridging molecular components and shaping the intricate structure of asphaltene and advance our understanding of heavy oil viscosity properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichao Fang
- Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Instiute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Bingyu Ji
- Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Instiute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xueyu Wang
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
| | - Shideng Yuan
- Key Lab of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Haiying Yu
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
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3
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Liu N, Qi H, Yu C, Jiang W, Brantson ET, Xu H. Effects of Sulfate Ions on Crude Oil Adsorption/Desorption on Carbonate Rocks: Experimental and Molecular Simulations. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:14210-14216. [PMID: 38559911 PMCID: PMC10975590 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
In the background of the strong oil wettability and low production by water flooding in carbonate reservoirs, low-salinity water containing sulfate ions can significantly change the surface wettability of carbonate rocks and thus increase the sweeping area; however, the absorption and desorption mechanisms of the oil film in the carbonate rock surface remain unclear. This paper analyzed the wettability alternation of carbonate rocks' surface in pure water and sodium sulfate solution. At the same time, MD (Materials Studio) software was used to simulate the formation process of the oil film and the effect of sulfate ions on the desorption of the oil film on the surface of carbonate rocks. The experimental results showed that sodium sulfate solution could accelerate the rate from oil-wet to water-wet and the final contact angle (49°) was smaller than that in pure water. The simulation results showed that dodecane molecules moved to the surface of calcite to form a double layer of the oil film and that the oil film near the calcite surface had a high-density stable structure under the van der Waals and electrostatic action. The hydrating sulfate ions above the oil film broke through the double oil film to form a water channel mainly under the action of electrostatic force and a hydrogen bond and then adsorbed on the calcite surface. A large number of water molecules moved down the water channel based on a strong hydrogen bonding force and crowded out the oil molecules on the surface of the calcite, resulting in the oil film detachment. This work aims to explain the interaction of oil molecules, water molecules, and SO42- ions at the molecular scale and guide the practical application of low-salinity water flooding in carbonate reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Liu
- School
of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Hengchen Qi
- School
of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Changfeng Yu
- The
Third Brigade in Jiangsu Bureau of Coal Geological, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Wanjun Jiang
- Tianjin
Center, China Geological Survey, Tianjin 300170, China
- North
China Center for Geoscience Innovation, China Geological Survey, Tianjin 300170, China
| | - Eric Thompson Brantson
- Department
of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, School of Petroleum Studies, University of Mines and Technology Tarkwa, Tarkwa P.O. Box 237, Ghana
| | - Hui Xu
- School
of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
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Zhang J, Peng K, Xu ZK, Xiong Y, Liu J, Cai C, Huang X. A comprehensive review on the behavior and evolution of oil droplets during oil/water separation by membranes. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 319:102971. [PMID: 37562248 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Membrane separation technology has significant advantages for treating oil-in-water emulsions. Understanding the evolution of oil droplets could reveal the interfacial and colloidal interactions, facilitate the design of advanced membranes, and improve the separation performances. This review on the characteristic behavior and evolution of oil droplets focuses on the advanced analytical techniques, and the subsequent fouling as well as demulsification effects during membrane separation. A detailed introduction is provided on microscopic observations and numerical simulations of the dynamic evolution of oil droplets, featuring real-time in-situ visualization and accurate reconstruction, respectively. Characteristic behaviors of these oil droplets include attachment, pinning, wetting, spreading, blockage, intrusion, coalescence, and detachment, which have been quantified by specific proposed parameters and criteria. The fouling process can be evaluated using Hermia and resistance models. The related adhesion force and intrusion pressure as well as droplet-droplet/membrane interfacial interactions can be accurately quantified using various force analysis methods and advanced force measurement techniques. It is encouraging to note that oil coalescence has been achieved through various effects such as electrostatic interactions, mechanical actions, Laplace pressure/surface free energy gradients, and synergistic effects on functional membranes. When oil droplets become destabilized and coalesce into larger ones, the functional membranes can overcome the limitations of size-sieving effect to attain higher separation efficiency. This not only bypasses the trade-off between permeability and rejection, but also significantly reduces membrane fouling. Finally, the challenges and potential research directions in membrane separation are proposed. We hope this review will support the engineering of advanced materials for oil/water separation and research on interface science in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Kaiming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Zhi-Kang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Lab of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, No.38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou 310027, PR China
| | - Yongjiao Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Jia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Chen Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Xiangfeng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, No.1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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Tetteh J, Kubelka J, Piri M. Effect of oil carboxylate hydrophobicity on calcite wettability and its reversal by cationic surfactants: An experimental and molecular dynamics simulation investigation. J Mol Liq 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Extensional Rheology of Hydrophobically Associating Polyacrylamide Solution Used in Chemical Flooding: Effects of Temperature, NaCl and Surfactant. Chem Eng Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2023.118644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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Dordzie G, Dejam M. Experimental Study on Alternating Injection of Silica and Zirconia Nanoparticles with Low Salinity Water and Surfactant into Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs for Enhanced Oil Recovery. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c02741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Dordzie
- Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-2000, United States
| | - Morteza Dejam
- Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-2000, United States
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Ranjbar S, Sarlak N, Rashidi A. Fluorescent-tagged water with carbon dots derived from phenylenediamine as an equipment-free nanotracer for enhanced oil recovery. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 628:43-53. [PMID: 35908430 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.07.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) through waterflooding is the most commonly used method to improve crude oil displacement and extraction however; the impact of environmental side effects may remain ambiguous. Regarding, flooding tagged water with tracers provides a better understanding of the fate of injected water and the reservoir conditions more than oil recovery. This study's main focus is the proposed carbon dots (CDs) to develop fluorescent-tagged with dual functions as a sensing and an enhancing agent for EOR operations. Different physicochemical and optical properties were obtained for CDs by tuning the surface chemistry of phenylenediamine (PD) isomers and tartaric acid (TA) via the solvothermal method which leads to green, and yellow fluorescent emissions. Size distribution and colloidal and thermal stability of the prepared nanofluids carrying CDs were controlled by atomic force microscope (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Long-time emission stability in high temperature and salinity such as conditions found in the oil reservoirs was precisely detected by fluorescence spectroscopy and a portable UV cabinet as the on-site detection method to confirm the sensing ability of CDs. While, rheological parameters of nanofluids such as viscosity, wettability alteration, and fluid/crude oil interfacial tension were evaluated to support the potential of CDs as an enhancing agent to sweep crude oil on the carbonate rock reservoirs. The oil displacement mechanism was monitored on the micromodel pattern by recording 27.8 % and 20.5 % displacement factors for the prepared nanofluids carrying 200 ppm CDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Ranjbar
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran 14857-33111, Iran
| | - Nahid Sarlak
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran 14857-33111, Iran; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
| | - Alimorad Rashidi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran 14857-33111, Iran
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