Spontaneous emulsification: a possible mechanism for enhanced oil recovery
Spontaneous emulsification will occur between a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous solution of petroleum sulfonates if the sulfonate preferentially partitions into the oil phase. The displacement of residual oil, in laboratory core floods, at a small capillary number is significantly improved when spontaneous emulsification occurs; with the displacement efficiency being favored by high emulsion coalescence rates. The following subjects are discussed: (1) mechanisms of spontaneous emulsification; (2) spontaneous emulsification experiments; (3) displacement experiments; (4) low tension displacement; and (5) displacement of residual oil via spontaneous emulsification. The conclusion reached by these experiments is that residual oil can be mobilized by spontaneous emulsification. The entire process has been tested and the results are reported. (20 refs.)
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ
- OSTI ID:
- 6621145
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-750924-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-5562; ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIFICATION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ESTERS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
RECOVERY
RESIDUAL PETROLEUM
SOLUTIONS
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
WATERFLOODING
WELLS