Effects of synthesized nanoparticles and Henna-Tragacanth solutions on oil/water interfacial tension: Nanofluids stability considerations

• Main Authors: Pouya Tavakoli, Seyed Reza Shadizadeh, Farzan Hayati, Moslem Fattahi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2020-09-01
• Series: Petroleum
• Subjects: Tragacanth extract; Henna extract; Nanoparticles; Sol-gel method; Graphene; Interfacial tension
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405656120300432

Rising global energy demand has encouraged engineers to create and design new methods to improve oil recovery from reservoirs. In this study, feasibility of using Henna extract as a natural surfactant and synthesized nanoparticles (Titanium dioxide (TiO2), Silicon dioxide (SiO2), Graphene and composite of TiO2-Graphene) for reduction of oil-water interfacial tension has been experimentally investigated. Nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel method and XRD, FESEM, EDAX and FTIR tests were conducted to confirm the authenticity of this synthesizing materials. Nano-surfactants were stabled with a natural water-based suspending surfactant called Tragacanth extract, which could be introduced as a practical substitute for industrial nanoparticles' stabilizers in oil industry. After CMC determination of Henna extract surfactant, the optimal concentration of Tragacanth extract surfactant, with the purpose of nano-surfactants’ stabilization, was determined through particle size and zeta potential tests. Results of interfacial tension (IFT) measurements showed that the increase of Henna extract concentration from 0 wt% to 10 wt% reduced IFT between kerosene and water from 37.23 to 15.24 mN/m. Furthermore, adding 1 wt% of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticle to the Henna extract surfactant at its CMC value reduced IFT from 18.43 to 14.57 mN/m. As an impact of this significant reduction in IFT value, oil recovery factor could be improved drastically during EOR operations. Results proved that TiO2 nano-surfactant was as effective as industrial surfactants, which put human's and environment's health at risk and impose heavy economic strain on governments.