Kinetic study of the decomposition of surfactants for EOR

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/12662-PA· OSTI ID:5634929

Angstadt, H P; Tsao, H

The effect of temperature, pH, surfactant purity, and air on the decomposition rate of two classes of surfactants typically used in steam EOR processes has been investigated. With synthetic alkylaryl suflonates, isolation and characterization of the hydrocarbon reaction products established that the principal reaction is desulfonation of the surfactant. The kinetics of the decomposition of certain alkylaryl sulfonates under carefully controlled pH and temperature conditions are discussed and compared with the behavior observed for ..cap alpha..-olefin sulfonates (AOS's) under the same conditions. The synthesis and decomposition of key pure isomeric alkylaromatic sulfonates of known structure led to a mechanistic description of the decomposition reaction. An explanation for the differing stability of alkylaromatic sulfonates and AOS's at high temperatures and at differing pH is suggested.

• Research Organization: Sun Refining and Marketing Co., Marcus Hook, PA
• OSTI ID: 5634929
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 2:4; ISSN SREEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALKENES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
KINETICS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PH VALUE
REACTION KINETICS
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
SULFONATES
SURFACTANTS
SYNTHESIS
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS
YIELDS