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Adsorption of sulfonate on kaolinite and alumina in the presence of gypsum

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6077883

Loss of surfactants by adsorption and precipitation that can occur during enhanced oil recovery by micellar flooding is a complex phenomenon dependent not only on solution properties such as pH and salinity, but also on the presence of even minor mineral constituents such as gypsum and limestone. In this study, the results on adsorption of isomerically pure decylbenzenesulfonate on gypsum, kaolinite, and alumina are presented. Sulfonate abstraction by kaolinite and alumina in the presence of trace amounts of gypsum also is determined. Adsorption of sulfonates varied significantly from mineral to mineral. Gypsum exhibited a sharp increase in adsorption above 4 to 6 x 10-5 kmol/cu m of residual sulfonate. Tests using the supernatant of gypsum showed sulfonate precipitation by the dissolved mineral species to be a major factor responsible for the high uptake. A thermodynamic analysis of the solubility and stability characteristics of gypsum and anhydrite is presented. 15 references.

OSTI ID:
6077883
Report Number(s):
CONF-8306242-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-11780; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English