Stabilization of Magnetite Nanofluid and its Transport in Porous Media

The objective of the research is to test the transportability of magnetic (magnetite, Fe3O4) nanoparticles in porous media and evaluate its application as a subsurface monitoring tool. The unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles make them a strong contrast agent against reservoir rocks and fluids as they exhibit a high magnetic response. Nanoparticles can be potentially applied to carbon capture and storage projects for monitoring the containment of CO2 underground. A stable nanofluid dispersion must be attained to facilitate long distance transport of nanoparticles in porous media. Achieving a stabilized nanofluid is a major challenge since nanoparticles have a tendency to aggregate due to their high surface energy. The principles of surface/colloidal chemistry and electric double layer are applied for the selection of surfactants to achieve stabilized nanofluid dispersions. For nanoparticle applications in subsurface, the salinity of reservoir water needs to be considered. The dispersion of nanoparticles is first achieved in DI water before establishing a nanofluid in the presence of high salinity. In DI water, the two surfactants that successfully dispersed the nanoparticles are CTAB (positively charged) and SDBS (negatively charged). In a saline environment, it is found that nanoparticles are destabilized and agglomerated immediately due to compressing electric double layer. Stabilized nanofluid is obtained in 6wt% KCl by combining DDBSA and non-ionic NP-9 as the dispersants. Nanofluid injection experiments are conducted to test the transport of nanoparticles in porous media. The injection test is coupled with the Bartington MS2C core logging sensor to track in-situ real-time transport by measuring the volumetric magnetic susceptibility of the nanoparticles. Experiments are conducted in 3 Phases: Phase 1 in high permeability sandpacks, Phase 2 in limestone cores with moderate/low permeability, and Phase 3 in sandstone cores which is the most representative of a CO2 sequestration reservoir. This research provides methodologies in achieving stable nanofluid dispersion in both DI water and brine as well as establishing in-situ real-time transport monitoring of nanoparticles in different types of porous media.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering – Chemical & Petroleum

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Schulich School of Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Liu, Aidi

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Bryant, Steven
• Lawton, Donald

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Kantzas, Apostolos
• Clarkson, Christopher

• Magnetic nanoparticles
• Subsurface monitoring

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39845

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/114761