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Adsorption of Aqueous Crude Oil Components on the Basal Surfaces of Clay Minerals: Molecular Simulations Including Salinity and Temperature Effects

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. C
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. BP America, Houston, TX (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
Molecular simulations of the adsorption of representative organic molecules onto the basal surfaces of various clay minerals were used to assess the mechanisms of enhanced oil recovery associated with salinity changes and water flooding. Simulations at the density functional theory (DFT) and classical levels provide insights into the molecular structure, binding energy, and interfacial behavior of saturate, aromatic, and resin molecules near clay mineral surfaces. Periodic DFT calculations reveal binding geometries and ion pairing mechanisms at mineral surfaces while also providing a basis for validating the classical force field approach. Through classical molecular dynamics simulations, the influence of aqueous cations at the interface and the role of water solvation are examined to better evaluate the dynamical nature of cation-organic complexes and their co-adsorption onto the clay surfaces. The extent of adsorption is controlled by the hydrophilic nature and layer charge of the clay mineral. All organic species studied showed preferential adsorption on hydrophobic mineral surfaces. However, the anionic form of the resin (decahydro-2-naphthoic acid)—expected to be prevalent at near-neutral pH conditions in petroleum reservoirs—readily adsorbs to the hydrophilic kaolinite surface through a combination of cation pairing and hydrogen bonding with surface hydroxyl groups. Analysis of cation-organic pairing in both the adsorbed and desorbed states reveals a strong preference for organic anions to coordinate with divalent calcium ions rather than monovalent sodium ions, lending support to current theories regarding low-salinity water flooding.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
BP America; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); Work for Others (WFO)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1398786
Report Number(s):
SAND--2017-10428J; 657315
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry. C Journal Issue: 41 Vol. 121; ISSN 1932-7447
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (3)

Wetting Behavior of Tight Rocks: From Core Scale to Pore Scale journal November 2018
Distinguishing between bulk and edge hydroxyl vibrational properties of 2 : 1 phyllosilicates via deuteration journal January 2019
Effect of confinement on the adsorption behavior of inorganic and organic ions at aqueous–cyclohexane interfaces: a molecular dynamics study journal January 2019

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