Abstract
porous media. We have conducted a comprehensive series of experiments to examine and compare the stability of selected surfactant foams at bulk scale and during oil displacement in porous media. The oil displacement was investigated in a micromodel manufactured by 3D printing technology. Our results demonstrated that oil displacement efficiency by foam is strongly influenced by the surfactant formulation. More importantly, no meaningful correlation between the bulk foam stability and the oil displacement efficiency of the corresponding foams in porous media was observed. Our pore-scale investigation shows that
the stability or instability of foam at bulk scale does not necessarily determine its
effectiveness in porous media. Hence, performing displacement tests as presented in our study may give more insights into the potential performance of foams.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 403-410 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Fuel |
| Volume | 203 |
| Early online date | 5 May 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sep 2017 |
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Keywords
- foam
- bulk foam stability
- coalescence
- foam in porous media
- oil recovery
Cite this
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Relationship between bulk foam stability, surfactant formulation and oil displacement efficiency in porous media. / Osei-Bonsu, Kofi; Grassia, Paul; Shokri, Nima.
In: Fuel, Vol. 203, 01.09.2017, p. 403-410.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Relationship between bulk foam stability, surfactant formulation and oil displacement efficiency in porous media
AU - Osei-Bonsu, Kofi
AU - Grassia, Paul
AU - Shokri, Nima
PY - 2017/9/1
Y1 - 2017/9/1
N2 - Success of foam as a displacing fluid in porous media depends on longevity of foams in the presence of non-aqueous phase liquids such as hydrocarbons. The stability of foam at bulk scale has been used in many cases to screen potential surfactants for core flooding studies. Although this method may aid in determining the foamability and stability of a surfactant, no reliable correlation has been found to exist between bulk foam stability and performance inporous media. We have conducted a comprehensive series of experiments to examine and compare the stability of selected surfactant foams at bulk scale and during oil displacement in porous media. The oil displacement was investigated in a micromodel manufactured by 3D printing technology. Our results demonstrated that oil displacement efficiency by foam is strongly influenced by the surfactant formulation. More importantly, no meaningful correlation between the bulk foam stability and the oil displacement efficiency of the corresponding foams in porous media was observed. Our pore-scale investigation shows thatthe stability or instability of foam at bulk scale does not necessarily determine itseffectiveness in porous media. Hence, performing displacement tests as presented in our study may give more insights into the potential performance of foams.
AB - Success of foam as a displacing fluid in porous media depends on longevity of foams in the presence of non-aqueous phase liquids such as hydrocarbons. The stability of foam at bulk scale has been used in many cases to screen potential surfactants for core flooding studies. Although this method may aid in determining the foamability and stability of a surfactant, no reliable correlation has been found to exist between bulk foam stability and performance inporous media. We have conducted a comprehensive series of experiments to examine and compare the stability of selected surfactant foams at bulk scale and during oil displacement in porous media. The oil displacement was investigated in a micromodel manufactured by 3D printing technology. Our results demonstrated that oil displacement efficiency by foam is strongly influenced by the surfactant formulation. More importantly, no meaningful correlation between the bulk foam stability and the oil displacement efficiency of the corresponding foams in porous media was observed. Our pore-scale investigation shows thatthe stability or instability of foam at bulk scale does not necessarily determine itseffectiveness in porous media. Hence, performing displacement tests as presented in our study may give more insights into the potential performance of foams.
KW - foam
KW - bulk foam stability
KW - coalescence
KW - foam in porous media
KW - oil recovery
U2 - 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.04.114
DO - 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.04.114
M3 - Article
VL - 203
SP - 403
EP - 410
JO - Fuel
T2 - Fuel
JF - Fuel
SN - 0016-2361
ER -