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Comparison of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of illites and kaolinites

Journal Article · · Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
; ;  [1]
  1. Centre de Recherches sur la Physico-Chimie des Surfaces Solides, Mulhouse (France)
The main problem appearing in oil recovery is possibly due t heavy petroleum components attached or adsorbed on the mineral rocks. The interaction between oil and reservoir rocks is principally related to clay minerals in the reservoir. Indeed, clay minerals are known to highly affect the porosity as well as the permeability of the rocks, thus inducing serious recovery problems. Therefore, a better knowledge of the interaction potential between clay minerals and oil is necessary to understand the mechanism of retention, to evaluate crude oil reserves and the recovery expectations, and finally to make the right choice of a recovery strategy. Asphaltene and water adsorption isotherms on clay surfaces have been determined to approach the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of several samples of kaolinites and illites. It is shown that the nature and the genesis condition of the clays affect the adsorption of both asphaltene and water. A larger amount of asphaltene is adsorbed on kaolinites while illites show more affinity for water. Cation hydration is shown to be responsible for part of the total hydrophilicity of the clays. It is also found that 25% of the kaolinite surface is hydrophilic, whereas this value extends to 40% for illite. Finally, it is shown that hydrophilicity decreases, whereas asphaltene adsorption increases.
OSTI ID:
106228
Journal Information:
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Journal Name: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 174; ISSN 0021-9797; ISSN JCISA5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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