An empirical model for microemulsion phase behavior
An empirical model for microemulsion phase behavior has been developed that is based on proper choice of pseudocomponents. Previous attempts to represent phase behavior of surfactant/oil/brine system with three pseudocomponents have been unsuccessful. One of the problems has been salt fractionation between the microemulsion and excess water phases. It was found that through the use of a sulfonate/water pseudocomponenet, this effect could be handled, and the system then exhibited true ternary behavior. When this pseudocomponent was used, a single set of V/sub o//V/sub s/ and V/sub w//V/sub s/-vs.-salinity curves was found to be valid for a wide range of overall compositions. These solubilization-parameter curves were fit with empirical equations, and it is these that comprise the model. The basis for a sulfonate/water pseudocomponent is discussed using electrical double-layer theory. In addition, solubilization-parameter curves generated from spherical microemulsion models are compared with the experimental curves.
- Research Organization:
- Unocal Science and Technology Div., Brea, CA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 6756486
- Journal Information:
- SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Vol. 3:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BRINES
PHASE STUDIES
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
SURFACTANTS
CALCULATION METHODS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WATER
DATA
ENERGY SOURCES
ESTERS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RECOVERY
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production