Abstract

In this study, the efficacy of ionic/nonionic mixed surfactant systems as a promising chemical route toward enhanced oil recovery applications is investigated. The critical micelle concentration of the (CTAB + Tween 60) surfactant system was confirmed using conductivity studies and surface tensiometry. Thermodynamic analyses revealed that both adsorption and micellization processes in mixed surfactant compositions are more pronounced/effective as compared to pure surfactant solutions. Addition of polymer resulted in improved micellar stability in mixed surfactant systems by steric interactions. Ultralow interfacial tension values were obtained for mixed surfactant systems using a spinning drop technique. In the presence of carboxymethylcellulose (polymer), the viscosity of surfactant slugs are improved, leading to sweep efficiency during oil displacement process. Viscoelasticity investigations reveal that elastic modulus (G′) dominate over viscous modulus (G″) at an angular frequency of >1 rad/s, showing ...

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