Petroleum Sulfonate Research Articles

Synthesis and Performance of Novel Sulfonate Gemini Surfactant with Trialkyl Chains

A new type of sulfonate gemini surfactant with three lipophilic alkyl chains (3C10-DS) was synthesized, and the structure of the product was confirmed by using the infrared spectrum and mass spectrum. Its critical micelle concentration (CMC) is 0.41 mmol/L, one order of magnitude lower than those of convectional (single-chain) surfactants, and the minimum surface tension is 27.6 mN/m. The interfacial tension (IFT) between the compound system of 3C10-DS and petroleum sulfonate (PS) and the simulated oil reaches ultra-low levels (10−3 mN/m), and there exists significant synergistic effect between 3C10-DS and PS. The compound flooding system consisting of polymer and the mixture of 3C10-DS and PS can effectively improve oil recovery for high-medium permeability cores and have a good application prospect in enhancing oil recovery.

Interfacial Activity and Oil Displacement Efficiency of an Alkyl Glucoside and Petroleum Sulfonate System

A novel binary compound flooding system was developed using the combination of nonionic surfactant alkyl glucoside and anionic surfactant petroleum sulfonate with the mass ratio of 1:1. The interfacial activity was studied by experiments. The results showed that the interfacial tension between a binary compound flooding system and crude oil was reduced to an ultra-low value at 45–80°C, and the compounded system showed good tolerance to salt and divalent cations. Core flooding experiment results showed that the system could further improve recovery after water flooding. Micro-flooding experiment results showed that the system could further start and displace residual oil after polymer flooding.

Performance of alkali‐free natural petroleum sulfonates: Ultra‐low interfacial tension on oil/water interface

Ultra‐low interfacial tension (IFT) is one of the most important conditions relating to surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery. In this paper, the dynamic interfacial tension (DIT) of an alkali‐free petroleum sulfonate surfactant was studied with the spinning drop method aimed at the Daqing oil/water system. The effects of various experimental conditions, such as surfactant concentration, inorganic salt concentration, polar organic compounds, oil‐soluble sulfonates, and time stability were investigated. It was shown that the aqueous phase has little effect on DIT. The high molecular weight petroleum sulfonates play an important role in the lowering of oil/water IFT. The non‐uniform changes of the oil droplets in DIT measurements were also discussed from the aspects of petroleum sulfonate composition and diffusion rate. The increase of aqueous phase viscosity could only ease the rebound phenomenon, while the increase of heavy components of petroleum sulfonates could both eliminate the non‐uniform changes of the oil droplets and reduce the values of the IFT. These results may be helpful in explaining the reasons behind producing ultra‐low interfacial tension and the preparation of formulations for practical applications.

Effects of surfactants on rheological properties of a dispersed viscoelastic microsphere

ABSTRACTThe swelling ratio is an important performance for the application of viscoelastic microsphere. The reduction of swelling ratio can affect the particle size. The compatibility between particle size and formation pore can affect the plugging performance and EOR capability. Adsorption characteristics of cationic surfactant cetyltriethylammnonium bromide (CTAB), anionic surfactant petroleum sulfonate applied in GangXi oilfield (GXPS), and nonionic surfactant nonylphenol ether (TX‐10) onto viscoelastic microspheres and the effect of the three types of surfactant on swelling ratio of viscoelastic microspheres were investigated. Effects of surfactants on rheological properties of viscoelastic microspheres were researched in two different modes referring to steady shear and dynamic shear, respectively, using Physica MCR301 Rheometer. The results showed that the interactions between viscoelastic microsphere and surfactants CTAB were electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic association, that the interaction between viscoelastic microsphere and surfactants TX‐10 was just hydrophobic association, and that the interactions between viscoelastic microsphere and GXPS were electrostatic repulsion and hydrophobic association. At the same initial surfactant concentration, all these three types of surfactant could be adsorbed onto the surface of viscoelastic microspheres and reduce its swelling ratio and storage modulus. Because of different amount of adsorption, the extent of reduction order on swelling ratio and storage modulus was CTAB>TX‐10>GXPS. In addition, the yield stress of viscoelastic microspheres which was obtained from modeling the data to Herschel‐Bulkley model decreases with the increase of surfactant adsorption. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42278.

Flotation separation of andalusite from quartz using sodium petroleum sulfonate as collector

The floatability of andalusite and quartz was studied using sodium petroleum sulfonate as collector, being successfully applied in the real ore separation. The collecting performance on minerals was interpreted by means of zeta potential measurement and infrared spectroscopic analysis. The single mineral experiments showed that andalusite got good floatability in acidic pH region while quartz exhibited very poor floatability in the whole pH range. At pH 3, the presence of Fe3+ obviously activated quartz, causing the identical flotation behavior of the two minerals, and calcium lignosulphonate exhibited good selective inhibition to quartz. The real ore test results showed that andalusite concentrate with 53.46% Al2O3 and quartz concentrate with 92.74% SiO2 were obtained. The zeta potential and infrared spectroscopic analysis results indicated that chemical adsorption occurred between sodium petroleum sulfonate and andalusite.

Combination of microwave demulsification, ozone oxidation and biological aerated filter for advanced treatment of oilfield wastewater with low biodegradability

In this study, a combination process was developed in laboratory-scale including microwave demulsification, ozonation, and biological aerated filter (BAF) in series for the purpose of removing pollutants in oilfield wastewater with high microtoxicity. The microwave demulsification treatment removed 63.4% of oil. The ozonation treatment removed 79.3% of petroleum sulfonate, resulting in a substantial reduction of microtoxicity and great enhancement of biodegradability of the wastewater. During the following BAF process, the residual contaminants were effectively degraded by microbes. The final effluent could meet the emission standards for pollutants from petrochemical industry set by China's Environmental Protection Agency.

Effect of organic alkali on interfacial tensions of surfactant solutions against crude oils

Abstract The dynamic interfacial tensions (IFTs) of petroleum sulfonate and organic alkali combined solutions against crude oils with different acid numbers have been investigated by a spinning-drop interfacial tensiometer. The influences of surfactant concentration, organic structure and concentration on the IFTs were expounded. The experimental results show that the petroleum acids can react with the organic alkalis and produce the surface-active soaps at the interface in situ. Both the ultralow transient and equilibrium IFTs can be reached at optimum conditions. The structures and contents of petroleum acids play important roles in controlling IFTs between the crude oils and the organic alkaline solutions. It is believable that fatty acids contribute to the lower transient IFT in short time and aromatic acids with condensed ring determine the equilibrium IFTs. The crude oil with higher acid number usually shows lower IFT values, however the structures of petroleum acids are more crucial factors and the crude oils with similar acid numbers may behave quite different dynamic IFT behaviors. The concentrations and structures of organic alkalis also strongly affect the IFTs of crude oil–alkaline solution systems. An obvious IFT minimum appears as a function of organic alkali concentration and the increase of molecular size of the organic counterion results in a loosely packed film and an increment of IFT. By adding petroleum sulfonate to organic alkaline solutions, the IFTs may be easily reduced to an ultralow value through the formation of close-packed mixed adsorption film containing surfactant, petroleum acid and soap molecules. For organic alkalis with larger molecular size, the loose mixed adsorption film is beneficial for the synergistic effect among petroleum acids, soaps and surfactant molecules, which can enlarge the applying reservoirs of organic alkali.

Effect of Organic Alkalis on Interfacial Tensions of Surfactant/Polymer Solutions against Hydrocarbons

The dynamic interfacial tensions (IFTs) of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) surfactant/polymer/organic alkali systems against a homologous series of alkanes have been investigated by a spinning drop interfacial tensiometer. Two organic alkalis with different molecular sizes, ethanolamine (EA) and diethanolamine (DEA), two surfactants with high interfacial activity, heavy alkyl benzenesulfonate (HABS) and petroleum sulfonate (SLPS), and two kinds of polymers, partly hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM), were employed to study the real mechanisms controlling the IFT behavior. The experimental results show that the addition of organic alkali may affect the dynamic IFTs of surfactant solutions through different mechanisms. First, the possible reaction of organic alkali with the oil-soluble components in industrial surfactants will influence the surface active spices at the interface and enhance the dynamic behavior. Second, the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) of the surfactant may vary, and the surfactant may become more water-soluble because of the ionization of oil-soluble components, especially for HABS. Finally, the organic counterion with larger molecular sizes may affect the arrangement of interfacial surfactant molecules. For both HABS and SLPS surfactants, interfacial interactions between the hydrophobic part of surfactants and the hydrophobic blocks of HMPAM will reduce the interfacial concentration of surfactant monomers by forming aggregates and result in an obvious increment of the IFT value. On the other hand, HPAM will obviously enhance the water solubility of the surfactant/organic alkali solutions and reduce the IFT values for the hydrocarbons with lower alkyl carbon number (ACN).

A Novel Method for Chemical Fingerprinting of Petroleum Sulfonates Based on Gas Chromatography and Chemometrics

A novel method for the chemical fingerprinting of petroleum sulfonates has been developed. In the present study, crude oil existing in petroleum sulfonate samples is first obtained and then is analyzed by gas chromatography. Characteristic chromatographic profiles of different brands or sources of samples are established. Pattern recognition of the chromatograms is performed using multivariate data analysis. As a result, the total 15 tested samples and 8 validated samples can be well evaluated by the standards established in the article, which are in accordance to the results of interfacial tension of each sample. The method has successfully been applied to discriminate between different petroleum sulfonates, and it seems to be very promising for a variety of other applications.

Removal of petroleum sulfonate from aqueous solution by hydroxide precipitates generated from leaching solution of white mud

Freshly generated hydroxide precipitates (FGHPs), which was prepared by adding the leaching solution of white mud (LSWM) to highly alkaline solution, was used to remove petroleum sulfonate (PS) from aqueous solution. The chemical composition of the white mud and petroleum sulfonate were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The surface properties of the FGHPs and PS-FGHPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential analyzer. The FGHPs displayed excellent treatment efficiency for PS at pH 12.0. The maximum equilibrium removal efficiency of PS was reached within 60s. The maximum adsorption capacity of FGHPs for PS was 3798.06mg/g at 303K and pH 12.0. The Langmuir isotherm was the best choice to describe the adsorption behavior. The kinetic data fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption of PS onto FGHPs occurred via physisorption and was exothermic. Electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding were the main adsorption mechanisms. Moreover, adhesion and cohesion also strong affected the co-precipitation/adsorption process. Liquid bridges via hydrogen bonding, adhesive and cohesive forces linked up with MOH+/M(OH)2 particles and the surfactant molecules to form a three-dimensional network structure and lead to deposition.

Petroleum sulfonates preparation and evaluation for chemical enhanced oil recovery in Colombian oil fields

An efficient method for preparing petroleum sulfonates is described in this article. Petroleum sulfonates were prepared from five different refinery cuts and characterized by infrarred and ultra-violet spectroscopy. Their hydrophilic-lipophilic relative afinity was assessed by performing phase behavior scans. The prepared surfactants were evaluated in formulations for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR), showing that, under the evaluation conditions, the solubilization ratios increase with the structural similarity between the crude oil and the surfactant molecules. It was confirmed that, when used as secondary surfactants, the petroleum sulfonates here prepared allow to achieve relatively high solubilization parameters.

Study on Oil-Water Interfacial Behaviour of Henan Oilfield

In order to decide the formula of ASP system to be used in Henan oilfield, the weak base ternary composite system compounded with petroleum sulfonate(Ss), polymer and weak base; the alkali ASP system compounded with alkylbenzene sulfonates(Sy), polymer and alkali were studied, and the oil-water interface behaviour of Henan oilfield with weak base ASP system compounded with surfactant SHSA-HN6 and ZL-Ⅱ polymer was evaluated. The results showed that the interfacial tension reduction effect of Weak base ternary system is better than that of Alkali ternary system; the interfacial tension between oil and water can be reduced significantly by the weak base ternary system compounded with surfactant (Ss) and polymer (ZL-Ⅱand KYPAM). After adding 1.2% Na2CO3 to the mixture of surfactant (SHSA-HN6) and polymer, the interfacial tension of Henan oil-water was reduced to the ultra-low level(>10-3mN/m).

Flotation Separation of Nanyang Kyanite Ore

It is a developing trend for the refractory materials industry that producing refractories using the kyanite ore with minute amounts of titanium. The tests were conducted with an ore sample by a mechanical flotation cell. The isoelectric point of the kyanite ore was found to be pH 6.6. Petroleum sulfonate was found to be an effective collector for kyanite flotation. 55.85% Al2O3is produced with 84.41% kyanite recovery by grinding, desliming, reverse flotation and kyanite flotation.

Separation and Characterization of Petroleum Sulfonate Components

Separation and Characterization of Petroleum Sulfonate Components

Purification of Refractories Andalusite of High Quality

It is a developing trend for the refractory materials industry that producing refractories using the andalusite ore with minute amounts of titanium. The tests were conducted with an ore sample by a high gradient magnetic separator and a mechanical flotation cell. The isoelectric point of the andalusite ore was found to be pH 5.9. Petroleum sulfonate was found to be an effective collector for andalusite flotation. 52.08% Al2O3is produced with 52.92% andalusite recovery by grinding, desliming, high gradient magnetic separation and andalusite flotation.

Successful polymer flooding and surfactant-polymer flooding projects at Shengli Oilfield from 1992 to 2012

Shengli Oilfield, located in Northeast China, is one of the largest and oldest oilfields in China. The field production peaked in 1991 and the overall water cut has reached 95 % in 2012. The decline in production and the increasing demand for fossil energy have motivated the Shengli Oilfield Company (SLOF) to seek feasible enhanced oil recovery methods. Since 1992, more than 60 units at Shengli field have received injection of polymer or a combination of polymer and low-concentration surfactants. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and petroleum sulfonate were chosen for most polymer flood projects. Field cases demonstrated that polymer flood and surfactant-polymer flood could effectively increase oil rate, decrease water cut and improve oil recovery. This paper reviews several unique field trials at Shengli Oilfield. The earlier polymer flood projects targeted relatively ideal reservoirs with low temperature and low water salinity. However the undergoing polymer flood projects and future projects have to face very challenging reservoir conditions. Loss of polymer viscosity and reservoir heterogeneity affect the success of polymer flood projects. Future research at SLOF will focus on developing more tolerant polymers and improving the flow of polymer in reservoirs.

Low Interfacial Tension Behavior Between Organic Alkali/Surfactant/Polymer System and Crude Oil

Oil recovery has a great relationship with the interfacial tension (IFT) between displacing fluid and crude oil when using alkali/surfactant/polymer (ASP) aqueous solution to displace oil in reservoir. Alkali such as sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate are often used to enhance the applied performances of surfactant and polymer. In this paper, two kinds of organic alkalis, triethylamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA), are applied together with Shengli petroleum sulfonate (SLPS) and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) to form two novel organic alkali/surfactant/ polymer (OASP) systems. The dynamic IFT is measured by using the spinning drop IFT meter. The optimum applied concentrations of SLPS, TEA, MEA, and three kinds of HPAM are selected by referring to the dynamic IFT between their aqueous solutions and oil. TEA and MEA both have synergistic effect and can reduce IFT to 10−3mN/m or lower when they are used with SLPS. The formulae of two novel low IFT OASP systems are obtained. These two OASP systems can reduce IFT to the value lower than 10−2mN/m when they are prepared using the produced water. Some influencing factors such as salinity, temperature and shearing are tested by measuring the minimum IFT of OASP aqueous solutions and oil. The results show that two OASP systems both have good tolerance toward these factors. Core displacing experiment is also conducted and the results approve that two OASP systems both can enhance the oil recovery efficiently.

Research of the heavy oil displacement mechanism by using alkaline/surfactant flooding system

Alkaline/surfactant flooding has great potential for enhancing the recovery of heavy oil due to the synergistic effect between alkali and surfactant. This research is aimed at developing a new alkaline/surfactant system with a sustainable surfactant called alkyl polyglucoside to improve the heavy oil recovery and clarifying its displacement mechanism. A series of oil/water interfacial tension measurements were conducted to screen the alkaline/surfactant system for the heavy oil sample. The oil/water interfacial tension could be reduced to the value of 10−2mN/m with only alkyl polyglucoside (0.05%). When some Na2CO3 (0.5%) and petroleum sulfonate (0.03%) were applied to the above surfactant solution, the oil/water interfacial tension could be further decreased to 10−4mN/m. Several sandpack flood tests were conducted, and the results show that the tertiary oil recovery can reach to 19.4% of the initial oil in place by using the suitable alkaline/surfactant system. Self-emulsification experiment and microscopic test were performed to investigate the displacement mechanism for enhancing heavy oil recovery, and the results indicate that alkaline/surfactant system including proper surfactant can form water-in-oil emulsion with heavy oil at the displacement front and oil-in-water emulsion in the swept region, which is necessary to obtain high sweep efficiency and oil washing ratio respectively.

A Laboratory Feasibility Study of Surfactant-Polymer Combinational Flooding in Low Permeability Reservoirs

Focused on the characteristics of bad water flooding effects and low recovery ratio in low permeability reservoirs, laboratory experiments for the adaptability evaluation of surfactant-polymer combinational flooding in low permeability reservoirs were carried out. Experimental results indicated that surfactant, which is the combined system of xinjiang petroleum sulfonate and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, could enhance oil displacement efficiency by 20% and decrease the injection pressure. Meanwhile, polymer FP3640 only enhances oil displacement efficiency by 10%. Oil displacement experiments in heterogeneous low permeability cores, the results clearly showed that surfactant-polymer combinational flooding had better performance than surfactant flooding only. In addition, the injection strategy that the surfactant slug is injected into after the first polymer is the best way and enhances the recovery ratio by 17.74%. Therefore, the technology of surfactant-polymer combinational flooding can be adopted in the development of low permeability reservoirs.

Synthesis of hexadecylbenzene sulfonate and its application in alkali-free flooding systems

Hexadecylbenzene sulfonate was synthesized using aluminum trichloride catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction with hexadecyl linear internal olefin to benzene, sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid, and neutralized with sodium hydroxide. The structure of the synthesized hexadecylbenzene sulfonate was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Surfactant mixtures were formulated by the synthesized hexadecylbenzene sulfonate and Kelamayi petroleum sulfonate. The results showed that the surfactant mixtures could reduce the interfacial tension to ultra-low values in the presence as well as the absence of polymer, at a very low concentration. The surfactant/polymer systems had a good thermal stability. The recovery factor was 59.85 % of original oil in place when the surfactant/polymer slug size was 0.3 pore volume of the core, compared with 45.59 % in case of water flood.