skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Interfacial rheology in chemically-enhanced oil recovery systems

Journal Article · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6556902

Surfactants in solution tend to accumulate and adsorb at interfaces between their solution and adjacent phases. The orientation of these molecules as well as molecular interactions and molecular packing result in an interfacial behavior different from that in the bulk phases. In some instances, molecular complexing or structural tranformations like the formation of a liquid crystalline phase can occur resulting in peculiar rheological behavior. Specifically, such accumulation at oil-water interfaces results in interfacial forces which influence the geometry of the phase boundary with consequent effects on interfacial flow and area. Interfacial rheological behavior of fluid-fluid interfaces containing chemical additives is often shear, area and age dependent. For simple Newtonian fluid interfaces the significant rheological properties for interfacial motions are the interfacial sheer and dilational viscosities. As the molecular weight of the absorbate increases, the interface may exhibit viscoelastic behavior or display rigidity.

Research Organization:
Illinois Inst. Technol.
OSTI ID:
6556902
Journal Information:
Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Vol. 21:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English