Surfactant-enhanced alkaline flooding for light oil recovery; Quarterly report, October 1--December 31, 1993
The overall objective of this project is to develop a very cost-effective method for formulating a successful surfactant-enhanced alkaline flood by appropriately choosing mixed alkalis which form inexpensive buffers to obtain the desired pH (between 8.5 and 12.0) for ultimate spontaneous emulsification and ultra-low tension. In addition, the novel concept of pH gradient design to optimize flood water conditions will be tested. This quarter we investigated the phase behavior and the regions where in the middle phase occurs. Middle phase was found to go through a maximum with pH, sodium concentration and surfactant concentration. The optimum pH is about 12.0 to 13.5, the optimum sodium concentration is about 0.513 mol/liter, and the optimum surfactant concentration is about 0.2%. The effect of surfactant type was also investigated. Petrostep B-105 was found to give the most middle phase production. A white precipitate was observed in some two-phase samples. For a given surfactant concentration, as pH is increased, the maximum volume of middle phase shifts to higher salinities. For a given pH, as surfactant concentration is increased, the maximum volume of middle phase shifts to higher salinities.
- Research Organization:
- Illinois Inst. of Tech., Chicago, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-92BC14883
- OSTI ID:
- 142573
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BC/14883--6; ON: DE94009126
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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