Improving the stability of nanofluids via surface-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles for wettability alteration of oil-wet carbonate reservoirs

Abstract

The main challenge of the application of nanofluids for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in oil-wet carbonate reservoirs is maintaining their stability under high-temperature and high-salinity which is normally seen in reservoir conditions. In this work, surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS) as a coupling agent for surface modification of nanoparticles. Zeta potential and dynamic light scattering analyses were used to evaluate the stability of the prepared nanofluids. Results indicated that nanofluids had high stability in 90 °C and 20 wt.% salinity. The influence of nanofluids on wettability alteration of carbonate rocks was studied by measuring the contact angle value. Untreated rock samples were strongly oil-wet, with water advancing and receding contact angles of 165.1° and 166.2°, respectively. After treatment with 3wt.% concentration of surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles, the rock plate wettability changed to a water-wet state, with water advancing and receding contact angles of 37.6° and 48.2°, respectively. Suggested surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticles were more effective in wettability alteration of the rock surfaces compared to the un-modified TiO2 nanoparticles. Furthermore, higher concentration of nanoparticles, higher the ability of the nanoparticles on changing the rock wettability.

Research Progress in Nanofluid-Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology and Mechanism

“…TiO 2 is typically applied in the field of photosensitive materials. However, recent research by Hosseini et al [21] has shown that nanofluids prepared using TiO 2 can alter the wettability of rocks. In this study, surface-modified TiO 2 NPs were prepared using coupling agents, and nanofluids prepared with these NPs were used to treat the rock surfaces.…”

Surface Modification of Metallic Nanoparticles for Targeting Drugs

“…Targeting ligands are molecules that can selectively bind to receptors or antigens that are overexpressed on the surface of target cells, thereby directing nanoparticles to specific tissues or cells [55]. The selection of targeting ligand depends on the target receptor and desired pharmacokinetic properties.…”

Effect of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Surfactants and Their Impact on the Interfacial Properties of the Oil–Water–Rock System

“…Recently, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) has received widespread attention for its potential EOR applications. − NPs are particles typically ranging from 1 to 100 nm in size. − Several types of nanomaterials have been studied for application in EOR, including titanium dioxide, ,, graphene, silica dioxide, ,− aluminosilicate, zirconium dioxide, ,, and silica dioxide in the CO 2 -brine system. , Laboratory investigations have demonstrated that the surfactant performance can be enhanced by combining the surfactant solution with nanomaterials to improve the interfacial properties between the oil–water-rock system. ,,,,, Nourinia et al . reported that adding zinc oxide/monmorillonite nanocomposites into a natural surfactant derived from cyclamen persicum reduced the IFT to a minimum of 2.5 mN/m.…”

“… 14 − 18 NPs are particles typically ranging from 1 to 100 nm in size. 19 − 25 Several types of nanomaterials have been studied for application in EOR, including titanium dioxide, 18 , 24 , 26 graphene, 22 silica dioxide, 23 , 27 − 30 aluminosilicate, 31 zirconium dioxide, 16 , 32 , 33 and silica dioxide in the CO 2 -brine system. 34 , 35 Laboratory investigations have demonstrated that the surfactant performance can be enhanced by combining the surfactant solution with nanomaterials to improve the interfacial properties between the oil–water-rock system.…”