Spontaneous imbibition of amphoteric-anionic surfactant and Fe3O4 nanoparticles colloidal mixture for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of individual and combined systems on interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration characteristics of a combination mixture of colloidal Fe3O4 nanoparticles and amphoteric-anionic surfactant. Combining a binary of amphoteric-anionic surfactants has resulted in an IFT reduction compared to brine alone. Furthermore, the addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles at concentrations lower than the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of binary surfactant mixes (<0.15 wt%) resulted in an observed increase in IFT values. However, there is no significant change in IFT around or above the CMC (≥0.15 wt%). The alteration in wettability can be observed through a reduction in contact angle when amphoteric-anionic surfactants and Fe3O4 nanoparticles are combined, resulting in a change from water-wet to strongly water-wet conditions. The findings of the imbibition test also demonstrated that adding 0.01 wt% Fe3O4 colloidal nanoparticles in the surfactant mixture provided an optimal recovery efficiency of 63.17%. The results of this study indicate that a notable improvement in recovery can be observed when the primary mechanism of wettability alteration is achieved and simultaneously supported by IFT reduction.