Impact of nanoparticles on the CO2-brine interfacial tension at high pressure and temperature
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Publisher
Academic Press
Place of Publication
United States
School
School of Engineering
RAS ID
27689
Abstract
Hypothesis: Nanofluid flooding has been identified as a promising method for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and improved Carbon geo-sequestration (CGS). However, it is unclear how nanoparticles (NPs) influence the CO2-brine interfacial tension (γ), which is a key parameter in pore-to reservoirs-scale fluid dynamics, and consequently project success. The effects of pressure, temperature, salinity, and NPs concentration on CO2-silica (hydrophilic or hydrophobic) nanofluid γ was thus systematically investigated to understand the influence of nanofluid flooding on CO2 geo-storage. Experiments: Pendant drop method was used to measure CO2/nanofluid γ at carbon storage conditions using high pressure-high temperature optical cell. Findings: CO2/nanofluid γ was increased with temperature and decreased with increased pressure which is consistent with CO2/water γ. The hydrophilicity of NPs was the major factor; hydrophobic silica NPs significantly reduced γ at all investigated pressures and temperatures while hydrophilic NPs showed only minor influence on γ. Further, increased salinity which increased γ can also eliminate the influence of NPs on CO2/nanofluid γ. Hence, CO2/brine γ has low, but, reasonable values (higher than 20 mN/m) at carbon storage conditions even with the presence of hydrophilic NPs, therefore, CO2 storage can be considered in oil reservoirs after flooding with hydrophilic nanofluid. The findings of this study provide new insights into nanofluids applications for enhanced oil recovery and carbon geosequestration projects..
DOI
10.1016/j.jcis.2018.07.115
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Comments
Al-Anssari, S., Barifcani, A., Keshavarz, A., & Iglauer, S. (2018). Impact of nanoparticles on the CO2-brine interfacial tension at high pressure and temperature. Journal of colloid and interface science, 532, 136-142. Available here.