Sorption of Nanomaterials to Sandstone Rock.

Christian Scheurer,Daniel Ness,Rafael E. Hincapie,Astrid Metz,Elisabeth Neubauer

doi:10.3390/nano12020200

Christian Scheurer, Daniel Ness + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12020200

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Abstract

We investigated the interaction of silica nanostructured particles and sandstone rock using various experimental approaches, such as fluid compatibility, batch sorption and single-phase core-floods. Diol and polyethylenglycol (PEG) surface-modified nanostructured silica materials were tested using two brines differing in ionic strength and with the addition of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Berea and Keuper outcrop materials (core plug and crushed samples) were used. Core-flood effluents were analysed to define changes in concentration and a rock’s retention compared to a tracer. Field Flow Fractionation (FFF) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were performed to investigate changes in the effluent’s size distribution. Adsorption was evaluated using UV–visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest adsorption was observed in brine with high ionic strength, whereas the use of alkali reduced the adsorption. The crushed material from Berea rock showed slightly higher adsorption compared to Keuper rock, whereas temperature had a minor effect on adsorption behaviour. In core-flood experiments, no effects on permeability have been observed. The used particles showed a delayed breakthrough compared to the tracer, and bigger particles passed the rock core faster. Nanoparticle recovery was significantly lower for PEG-modified nanomaterials in Berea compared to diol-modified nanomaterials, suggesting high adsorption. SEM images indicate that adsorption spots are defined via surface roughness rather than mineral type. Despite an excess of nanomaterials in the porous medium, monolayer adsorption was the prevailing type observed.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralNanotechnology has gained interest over the last decade, with beneficial applications in upstream and downstream
To reduce formation damage during drilling, as well as to enhance production in mature fields [1,2,3], protect the reservoir formation, reduce fluid loss and prevent shale swelling [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Due to their small size, nanomaterials have the ability to pass through reservoir rock and can be surface active, which is a key requirement for influencing oil–rock–water interfaces
The generated calibration constants that form the calibration plots shown in Figure 5 are listed in Table 4 They were used to calculate nanoparticle concentration from absorbance signals

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralNanotechnology has gained interest over the last decade, with beneficial applications in upstream and downstream. To reduce formation damage during drilling, as well as to enhance production in mature fields [1,2,3], protect the reservoir formation, reduce fluid loss and prevent shale swelling [4,5,6,7,8,9]. Due to their small size, nanomaterials have the ability to pass through reservoir rock and can be surface active, which is a key requirement for influencing oil–rock–water interfaces.

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