Synthesis and comprehensive studies of nanogels for enhanced oil recovery

“Nanomaterials have been developed and applied for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in oil industry. Among the developed nanomaterials, nano-sized crosslinked polymeric gel particles (nanogels) have shown the potential in improving both the macro- and micro-displacing efficiency. This dissertation focuses on the synthesis and the potential EOR mechanisms of nanogels. Nanogels with positive, negative, and neutral charges were synthesized through suspension polymerization. The morphology, size distribution, and zeta potential of nanogels were elucidated by corresponding technologies, such as scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The ability of nanogels in oil-water interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion stabilization was studied at various nanogel concentrations, temperatures, and salinities. Moreover, nanogels showed an electro-interaction controlled adsorption on the rock surface, which could modify the wettability of rock surface and reduce the permeability of porous medium. The core flooding results demonstrate that nanogels with proper charges can easily transport through the porous medium and reduce the water permeability by forming multilayer adsorption on the rock surface. The residual oil was produced in o/w emulsion state during the nanogel flooding and in isolated oil drops during the post water flooding, which indicated the abilities of nanogels in increase the displacing efficiency and sweeping efficiency, respectively”--Abstract, page iv.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D. in Petroleum Engineering

Grantor

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Author dc:creator

• Geng, Jiaming

• Adsorption
• Emulsion
• EOR
• Nanogel
• Transport
• Petroleum Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/3092

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsmine.mst.edu:doctoral_dissertations-4097