Effect of surfactant partitioning on the phase behavior and phase inversion of the middle phase microemulsions

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/7869-MS· OSTI ID:6046574

Chan, K S; Shah, D O

For multiphase surfactant-oil-brine systems, it was observed that the phase transition of microemulsion phase from lower to middle to upper phase can be achieved by varying 7 variables: (1) emulsifier or surfactant concentration, (2) oil/brine ratio, (3) surfactant formulation/oil ratio, (4) brine salinity, (5) alcohol concentration, (6) oil chain length, and (7) temperature. The first 3 variables show a transition from the middle-phase to upper-phase microemulsion, and the last 4 variables show a true phase inversion. It has been established in low surfactant concentration systems that the transition of surfactant-rich phase from lower to upper phase is characterized by a partition coefficient of unity for the surfactant. Similarly, for high surfactant concentration systems, the phase inversion occurs at the partition coefficient unity defined as the concentration in the oil phase divided by the concentration of surfactant in the middle and lower phases. At the optimal parameters (salinity, oil chain length), the surfactant concentration in the excess oil phase approaches that in the excess brine phase. 38 references.

• OSTI ID: 6046574
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-7869; ISSN SEAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALCOHOLS
BRINES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ESTERS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MICROEMULSIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
PHASE STUDIES
QUANTITY RATIO
SALINITY
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE TENSION
SURFACTANTS