Self-Induced Surfactant Transport along Discontinuous Liquid-Liquid Interfaces

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Surface chemistry
• Enhanced oil recovery

Background:

• Marangoni-stress-driven spreading of surfactants along continuous interfaces is well-understood.
• Surfactant transport in complex, discontinuous fluid systems remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate swift and efficient surfactant transport along discontinuous fluid interfaces.
• To explore the relevance of this mechanism for enhanced oil recovery applications.

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation using chemical surface patterning to create arrays of discrete drops and liquid bridges.
• Introduction of surfactants at one end of a linear array immersed in an immiscible liquid.

Main Results:

• Surfactants were transported along the discontinuous array via surfactant-induced interfacial convection.
• Transport rates significantly exceeded diffusion, demonstrating an efficient mechanism.

Conclusions:

• Surfactant-induced interfacial convection is an effective transport mechanism along discontinuous interfaces.
• This mechanism has significant implications for enhanced oil recovery in heterogeneous reservoirs, accessing bypassed oil.