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Preparation and Solution Properties of Zwitterionic Polyacrylamide for Enhancing Oil Recovery
Xiaobing Wei1, Feng Li2, Boyi Zhong3
1College of Economic and Management, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, China.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
A novel zwitterionic copolymer, P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC), demonstrates superior viscosity stability and emulsification for enhanced oil recovery. This polymer shows excellent salt tolerance and shear resistance, outperforming traditional polymers like HPAM and SPAM.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Petroleum Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Viscosity stability of polymer solutions is critical for enhancing oil recovery (EOR).
- Zwitterionic copolymers offer potential for improved viscosity stability and emulsification at oil/water interfaces.
- Existing polymers like HPAM and SPAM face limitations in harsh reservoir conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel zwitterionic copolymer, P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC), for enhanced oil recovery applications.
- To evaluate the viscosity stability, salt tolerance, and shear resistance of the synthesized copolymer.
- To compare the performance of P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) with conventional polymers (HPAM, SPAM) in terms of emulsification and oil displacement efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) via segmentation initiation using acrylamide (AM), 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMBS), and (2-methacryloyloxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) monomers.
- Chemical structure confirmation using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR).
- Rheological measurements to determine apparent viscosity, salt tolerance, and shear resistance under various conditions (salinity, shear rate, temperature, aging time).
- Evaluation of emulsifying properties and oil-water interface thickness.
- Oil displacement tests using polymer flooding and alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding systems.
Main Results:
- The synthesized zwitterionic copolymer P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) has a molecular weight (Mw) of 9.91 × 106 g/mol.
- The copolymer solution (2000 mg/L) exhibited an apparent viscosity of 24.92 mPa·s at 60 °C and 5000 mg/L salinity.
- P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) demonstrated outstanding salt tolerance and shear resistance, maintaining an apparent viscosity of 23.45 mPa·s with a viscosity reduction rate of 69.23% at 10,000 mg/L salinity and 300 s-1 shear rate after 30 days at 60 °C.
- The copolymer showed improved emulsifying properties and a greater oil-water interface thickness compared to HPAM and SPAM.
- P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) resulted in higher chemical oil recovery and oil displacement efficiency in both polymer flooding and ASP flooding systems compared to HPAM and SPAM.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized zwitterionic copolymer P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) possesses excellent viscosity stability, salt tolerance, and shear resistance, making it suitable for enhanced oil recovery.
- The synergistic effect of sulfonic acid and quaternary amine groups contributes to the superior emulsification performance and interfacial properties of P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC).
- P(AM/AMBS/MAPTAC) significantly enhances oil recovery efficiency, outperforming traditional polymers in both polymer and ASP flooding applications.
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