Extraction of Oil from Oil Sands Using Thermoresponsive Polymeric Surfactants

Abstract

Several thermoresponsive block copolymers constituted of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate) (PMEO2MA) block were prepared by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and their ability to extract oil from oil sands was evaluated. The chemical composition of the PEG113-b-PMEO2MAX block copolymers was determined by 1 H NMR and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) with X-values ranging between 48 and 80. Aqueous solutions of block copolymers showed a cloud point of 34 ± 1 o C as determined by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. DLS experiments indicated that these polymers formed stable block copolymer micelles due to association of the PMEO2MA blocks at temperatures greater than 45 o C with a unimodal distribution of hydrodynamic diameters. Since characterization of the block copolymer solutions as a function of temperature indicated the formation of hydrophobic domains in water for T > 45 o C, extractions of oil from oil sands with the block copolymers were conducted at T = 45 and 50 o C. At these temperatures, 15 mL of a 1 mg/mL PEG113-b-PMEO2MA77 aqueous solution extracted 100% of the oil trapped in 1 g of oil sand if 60 mg of toluene was added to the mixture. When the extraction was conducted under the same experimental conditions without block copolymer, a poor oil recovery of less than 30% was achieved. Starting with a 1 mg/mL block copolymer concentration, the block copolymer aqueous solution could be recycled up to five successive extractions while maintaining satisfying oil recovery. Each extraction cycle led to a 22% mass loss of block copolymer, certainly due to association with the toluene, oil, and sand particles. Together these experiments demonstrate that thermoresponsive block copolymers can be powerful aids to enhance the oil recovery of oil sands.1

Preparation of Thermo-Responsive and Cross-Linked Fluorinated Nanoparticles via RAFT-Mediated Aqueous Polymerization in Nanoreactors

“…The micelles preloaded with the model drug Nile Red will form hydrogels upon heating to physiologic temperature (37 °C), and the resulting hydrogels demonstrated reactive oxygen species (ROS)- dependent drug release [ 26 ]. Duhamel et al demonstrated that poly(ethylene glycol)- b -poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate) (PEG- b -PMEO 2 MA) has the ability to extract oil from oil sands [ 27 ].…”

New Amphiphilic Macromolecule as Viscosity Reducer with Both Asphaltene Dispersion and Emulsifying Capacity for Offshore Heavy Oil

“…Heavy oil refers to the crude with a low API gravity (<20° API) and high viscosity (>100 cP) at reservoir conditions. As a massive resource, heavy oil accounts for more than 70% of total original oil in place (OOIP), which is especially abundant in Canada (mainly Alberta), Venezuela (the Orinoco Belt), and China (Liaohe, Xinjiang, Shengli, Henan oilfields, and Bohai Offshore). − With the gradual depletion of conventional light and medium oil, more attention is paid to how to effectively and economically recover heavy oil. − …”

Surfactant-Controlled Mobility of Oil Droplets in Mineral Nanopores

“…5−7 Examples include cationic surfactants, which have low adsorption on calcite and are appropriate for use in carbonate reservoirs, 8 sulfonated polymers grafted on nanoparticles, which adsorb weakly on silica, 9 zwitterionic polymers with tunable adsorption on carbonate surfaces, 10 and many others. 1,11 One of the major challenges in practical EOR applications of polymers is their poor retention due to the adsorption of polymers inside pores or on rock surfaces of reservoirs and their loss due to fluid flow. 9,10 Polymer flooding at high temperatures and pressures, typical of oil reservoir conditions, can lead to other challenges, such as precipitation and degradation.…”

“…The method’s efficacy depends on the nature of polymers used and their interactions with the oil and the surfaces of the porous mineral rocks of the oil reservoirs. Walls of conventional oil reservoirs are frequently composed of kaolinite in sandstone reservoirs, calcite and dolomite in carbonate reservoirs, while unconventional rock reservoirs, like shale, can be composed of kaolinite, illite, calcite, dolomite, and other minerals. − Selection of polymers for EOR processes is dependent on the type of rocks and materials that predominate within reservoirs. − Examples include cationic surfactants, which have low adsorption on calcite and are appropriate for use in carbonate reservoirs, sulfonated polymers grafted on nanoparticles, which adsorb weakly on silica, zwitterionic polymers with tunable adsorption on carbonate surfaces, and many others. , …”