Alkali-surfactant-polymer recovery processes

Cmc values are important in virtually all of the petroleum industry surfactant applications. For example, a number of improved or enhanced oil recovery processes involve the use of surfactants including micellar, alkali/surfactant/polymer (A/S/P) and gas (hydrocarbon, N2, CO2 or steam) flooding. In these processes, surfactant must usually be present at a concentration higher than the cmc because the greatest effect of the surfactant, whether in interfacial tension lowering [30] or in promoting foam stability [3J], is achieved when a significant concentration of micelles is present. The cmc is also of interest because at concentrations... 

The effectiveness of alkaline additives tends to increase with increasing pH. However, for most reservoirs, the reaction of the alkaline additives with minerals is a serious problem for strong alkalis, and a flood needs to be operated at the lowest effective pH, approximately 10. The ideal process by which alkaline agents reduce losses of surfactants and polymers in oil recovery by chemical injection has been detailed in the literature [1126]. 

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