Effect of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids on the Interfacial Tension of the Alkane–Water System and Its Influence on the Wettability Alteration of Quartz under Saline Conditions through Contact Angle Measurements

Abstract

Depleted matured reservoirs contain almost two-thirds trapped oil, which remains unrecovered even after primary and secondary oil recovery methods. Chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods involve the usage of chemical agents that improve the mobility of the residual oil by mechanisms involving alteration of wettability, viscous fingering reduction within the pay zone, and interfacial tension (IFT) between interfaces of fluids (oil/water) and rock, followed by reduced capillary forces during flooding. Chemical EOR methods need more research for high saline reservoir conditions. In this work, the effect of six imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) on the IFT of alkane–water systems and alteration of wettability of quartz surface was investigated as a function of IL concentration (0–10000 ppm) and temperature (288.15, 298.15, 308.15, and 318.15 K). Initially, the effect of the various ILs on the IFT of the alkane–aqueous IL system was studied and compared with the neat alkane–water system. Subsequently, syner...