Effect of Silicate and Aluminate Ion Adsorption on the Reaction of Quartz and Alumina with Caustic Solution

摘要

Caustic consumption is recognized as a problem in enhanced oil recovery by alkaline flooding. Chemical reactions which cause caustic consumption are governed by equilibria between reservoir minerals and alkaline solution. Identification of the individual dissolving and precipitating minerals in a given brine and rock system is a critical step in predicting caustic consumption and scale formation in oil recovery by alkaline flooding. This work demonstrates that ion adsorption may have a significant effect on mineral/alkali equilibria. Powdered quartz and alumina were mixed with alkaline solutions containing 0.01 to 0.1 molar hydroxide ion and added silicate or aluminate ion. Each suspension was sealed in a Teflon bottle and shaken continuously for approximately 1 week at 24 deg or 70 deg C. Samples of the supernatant were removed periodically and analyzed for the elements silicon and aluminum. The solubilities of quartz and alumina in caustic solutions were found to be reduced significantly by added aluminate and silicate ion, respectively. Adsorption of these ions onto the minerals was also measured. It is postulated that these ions form a protective aluminosilicate layer when they are adsorbed onto the mineral surface. Such an aluminosilicate layer will reduce mineral reactions during alkaline flooding. Two major conclusions result from this work. Adsorbed aluminate and silicate ions can reduce the solubilities of quartz and alumina, respectively. The effect of adsorption on mineral equilibria should be included in a mineral reaction model for alkaline flooding. 18 refs., 5 figs., 8 tabs. (ERA citation 11:037431)