Surfactant loss control in chemical flooding: Spectroscopic and calorimetric study of adsorption and precipitation on reservoir minerals. Quarterly technical progress report, January 1, 1995--March 31, 1995
Earlier reported results on the adsorption/desorption behaviors of single surfactant as well as mixtures of surfactant of tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (TTAC) and pentadecyl ethoxylated nonyl phenol (NP-15) indicated that the phenomena in mixed surfactant systems are more complex than those in single surfactant systems. To better understand the mechanisms involved in adsorption and desorption processes of mixed surfactant system, changes in the ratios of TTAC:NP-15 mixtures after adsorption both at the alumina-water interface and in the bulk are discussed in this report. It was found that the initial mixing ratios of TTAC:NP-15 changed significantly after adsorption over the concentration ranges studied. The adsorption behavior is directly related to these changes of mixing ratios. The possible structure of the adsorbed layer is also discussed for dfferent mixing ratios. In the low concentration range, electrostatic attraction between the cationic surfactant, TTAC, and the negatively charged alumina surface is dominant and the adsorption of TTAC,is higher than that of NP-15. With an increase in total surfactant concentration pre-adsorbed TTAC molecules function as anchors and induce the adsorption of NP-15. Strong synergism between the two surfactants is observed over this concentration range. Adsorbed pentadecylethoxylated nonyl phenol (NP-15) provides a steric barrier to further adsorption of tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (TTAC), and the adsorption of TTAC is suppressed. To develop a model that can predict adsorption of both components as a function of their activity in the mixed surfactant system, the monomer concentrations of TTAC and NP-15 in mixtures of different ratios were measured using ultrafiltration. Interestingly, the monomer concentrations measured by ultrafiltration method were different from the predictions of the regular solution theory.
- Research Organization:
- Columbia Univ., New York, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-92BC14884
- OSTI ID:
- 93950
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BC/14884--13; ON: DE95014909
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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