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Liquid crystals and microemulsions in oil recovery

Conference · · AIChE Symp. Ser.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6682213
Studies of aqueous solutions of petroleum sulfonate and pure anionic surfactants were made using polarizing microscopy, polarized light screening, and viscometry. Liquid crystalline material as found in the composition range of interest for oil recovery. A general pattern of structure variation with salinity was found and related to variations in viscosity. Microemulsions formed when oil is added to these solutions were studied with several techniques. Measurements of phase continuity and drop size with the ultracentrifuge in several systems showed that the surfactant or middle microemulsion phase is oil continuous in some portions of its range of existence and water continuous in others with some other structure as yet unknown in the inversion region. These results are consistent with mechanisms of surfactant phase formation and of the origin of ultralow interfacial tensions which are described. 19 figures.
Research Organization:
Carnegie-Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA
OSTI ID:
6682213
Report Number(s):
CONF-810417-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: AIChE Symp. Ser.; (United States) Journal Volume: 78:212
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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