Rheology, viscoelasticity and microstructural properties of OAPB-SDS mixtures at different temperature and pH conditions

Abstract

Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids are widely used in the hydraulic fracturing process to increase oil and gas productivity. Zwitterionic (carbon-18) surfactant solution, which is commonly used in VES fluids, has high critical micelle concentration, resulting in high used concentration and lack of economy. Furthermore, it is not applicable to high-temperature conditions. The oleylamidopropyl betaine (OAPB, carbon-25) with longer carbon chain has lower critical micelle concentration (CMC) and better high temperature resistance. In addition, it behaves better viscosity increasing capacity combining with anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. In this study, the viscoelasticity and microstructural properties of OAPB-SDS (OADS) mixtures at different temperature and pH conditions were investigated deeply. Rheology and structural morphology properties of the OADS mixed fluids were investigated by rheometer, and transmission electron cryo-microscopy. The results showed that OADS solution demonstrated elastic gel-like fluid behavior with zero shear viscosity of 3.5 × 106 mPa.s at neutral pH and room temperature, while OAPB solution demonstrated viscous fluid behavior with zero shear viscosity (ηo) of 62 mPa.s. The viscoelasticity and microstructural properties of OADS solution were influenced by concentration, pH and temperature. It was gel-like fluid at 25–40 °C, viscoelastic fluid at 60–80 °C and totally viscous fluid at 90 °C. The OADS was viscous at 0.5 wt% concentration, viscoelastic at 0.6 wt% concentration and elastic at 0.75 wt% concentration. The OADS solution showed viscous, viscoelastic and elastic behaviors at pH value of 3, 4, and 7 respectively. The fluid exhibited viscosity switch ability by reversibly altering pH values. The Cryo-TEM images confirmed that the OADS micelle experience microstructural transformed from long wormlike micelles (WLMs) to spherical micelles as the pH changes. The mixture fluid improved viscoelastic and aggregation properties than that of individual surfactant component, possessing lower used surfactant concentration. This study is useful in understanding the properties of mixed zwitterionic-anionic fluids, which is thermo-pH responsive, valuable in the fracturing.