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Role of surfactant precipitation and redissolution in the adsorption of sulfonate on minerals

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5797939

This study on the precipitation of sulfonates with various inorganic ions and the subsequent redissolution of it when the surfactant concentration is increased showed the precipitation maximum to occur in the same surfactant concentration range where adsorption maximum is obtained. Simultaneous abstraction, precipitation, and adsorption experiments have been conducted using chromatographically purified dodecylbenzene sulfonate and Na-kaolinite and the results showed the abstraction vs. surfactant concentration curves to exhibit a much more pronounced maximum than the real adsorption (abstraction minus precipitation) maximum. It is suggested that the total abstraction of surfactant from the solution upon contact with mineral phase is a summation of both the real adsorption and precipitation and that the precipitation/redissolution phenomenon is one of the major reasons for the adsorption maxima. Introduction of oil into the system is found to reduce the precipitation owing to partitioning of the sulfonate between the oil and the aqueous phases. 13 references.

OSTI ID:
5797939
Report Number(s):
CONF-790913-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-8263; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English