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Wettability, Oil Recovery, and Interfacial Tension with an SDBS-Dodecane-Kaolin System
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|May 26, 1999
Summary
The study found that optimal kaolin wettability and oil recovery using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) solutions occur near its critical micelle concentration (CMC). This enhances oil recovery efficiency without achieving ultra-low interfacial tension.
Area of Science:
- Surface Chemistry
- Colloid Science
- Enhanced Oil Recovery
Background:
- Understanding the wettability of mineral surfaces like kaolin is crucial for various industrial applications, including enhanced oil recovery.
- Aqueous solutions of surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), are often used to modify surface properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SDBS concentration on kaolin wettability and n-dodecane oil recovery.
- To correlate changes in contact angle and interfacial tension with oil recovery performance.
Main Methods:
- Contact angle measurements using the Washburn equation to assess kaolin wettability.
- Interfacial tension measurements via drop volume and spinning drop methods.
- Oil recovery tests using n-dodecane on kaolin surfaces.
Main Results:
- Minimum contact angles (maximum hydrophilicity) and maximum oil recovery were observed near the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDBS.
- Interfacial tension between SDBS solutions and n-dodecane did not reach ultra-low values at optimal conditions.
Conclusions:
- SDBS concentration significantly influences kaolin wettability and oil recovery.
- Optimal oil recovery is achieved near the CMC of SDBS, indicating a complex relationship between wettability, interfacial tension, and recovery efficiency.