Experimental and data-driven analysis for predicting nanofluid performance in improving foam stability and reducing mobility at critical micelle concentration

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Application of surfactant-based foam flooding is an effective approach to reduce mobility and control early breakthrough. Despite the proper performance of surfactant-based foams in decreasing the channeling of the flooded gas and water, high pressure, high temperature, and high salinity of the reservoirs put some limitations on the foam flooding efficiency. Nanoparticles are used to improve the quality of the foams, enhance stability, and transcend the limitations. Although there are many benefits of using nanoparticles in foam flooding, their performance at surfactant critical micelle concentration (CMC) is not fully investigated and the optimum nanoparticle concentration is not specified. In this study, an experimental investigation using nanosilica with surfactants at CMC to improve the stability (half-life) and mobility reduction factor (MRF) has been conducted. Furthermore, data from the literature were collected and analyzed to evaluate the change in MRF and stability for a nanofluid-based foam at CMC. Both experimental results and literature data showed that application of nanofluid-based foam is a successful approach to develop a more stable foam with lower mobility. Nanoparticle (NP) concentration is the dominant parameter at different salinities and temperatures that affects foam flow through porous media. The range of 0.2–0.4 wt% is the optimum nanoparticle concentration to develop a strong foam with acceptable performance in controlling mobility.