Effect of Pressure, Time and Composition on Oil-Water Surfactant Systems for Tertiary Oil Recovery. First Annual Report, October 1, 1980 to September 30, 1981

摘要

Measurements have been made of interfacial tension, gamma , as a function of pressure, with oil-water-surfactant systems that are relevant to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) by surfactant flooding. The pressure coefficient of gamma , at constant composition, is positive in every case examined. In this behavior, interfaces in surfactant systems differ strongly from interfaces that are free from surfactant. The interfacial behavior is complicated by the change in solubility relations with increase in pressure, and consequent mass transfer effects. A theory is being developed, that relates the interfacial tension (IFT) in a nonequilibrium system to the rate of mass transfer across the interface. It shows promise of explaining the changes of IFT that we are observing, with changes in pressure. (ERA citation 07:059165)