Use in oil recovery

Ryles, R.G. "Chemical Stability Limits of Water-Soluble Polymers Used in Oil Recovery Processes," SPE Paper 13585, 1985 International Symposium on Oilfield and Geothermal Chemistry, Phoenix, April 9-11. 

Within any class, there is a huge variety of possible surfactants. For more surfactants used in oil recovery, see Akstinat (1981). For more details on the effect of structure on surfactant properties, see Graciaa et al. (1982) and Barakat et al. (1983). 

Ryles, R.G., 1988. Chemical stabihty limits of water-soluble polymers used in oil recovery. SPERE... 

Clearly, this particular selection of surfactants divides, in their interfacial tension behavior against crude oils, along the lines which were predicted by considering their alkane preferences. This provides support for the idea that estimation of alkane preference by consideration of hydrophobic/interfering group balance (16) can be used as a screening test for deciding whether a surfactant has potential for use in oil recovery. Obviously, the evidence is still limited. In particular, the surfactants compared in the present study have very similar structures and we cannot be... 

A survey of characterization methods for linear and branched nonionic polyacrylamides is given in reference 5. Gel-permeation chromatography, diffusion and sedimentation, intrinsic viscosity, and light scattering are discussed emphasizing some difficulties encountered in obtaining consistent data. Characterization of anionic polyacrylamides used in oil recovery by ir spectroscopy, 13C-nmr, tga, and x-ray diffraction is described in reference 8. 

One of the most important criteria for choosing gums for use in oil recovery etc is dteir stability to extended periods of high temperature. Aldiou sucdnoglycan has a h viscosity, this deteriorates at high temperatures over extended periods. Welan and xanthan are used in oil well drilling fluids. Welan is particularly useful in diis application since it has high viscosity which is maintained at an almost constant level at 121 °C for extended pericxis and can tolerate temperatures as hi as 149°C... 

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (monomer-unit structure [I]) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer v ich is stable physically and ch ically in aqueous solution (1-3), and which is commercially available in a diversity of molecular weight grades (4). From these features alone, PVP has potential for use in oil-recovery and related applications similarly, its monomer unit has potential as a component of copolymers tailored for these applications (5). In any such applications, it is important not only that the polymer remains in solution under all conditions of teirperature, pressure and salinity that may be encountered, but that its solutions also retain the desired rheological behavior. Ensuring that this happens, especially with novel copolymers, requires that we have a good understandirq of the molecular interactions which occur in these aqueous polymer systems. 

Drilling fluids or muds are other aqueous functional fluids used in oil recovery. Muds are used to cool the drill bit and to keep underground formation pressure stable. The corresponding formulations are based on thickeners such as guar, starch and modified cellulose. These compounds are easily degraded by a great variety of microbe species. The consequence is that the mud s viscosity decreases and the formulation finally loses its functionality. As the aqueous functional fluids applied in oil recovery operations are used in vast quantities, one looks for microbicides to overcome the microbial problems which are effective at very low concentrations, inexpensive and environmentally safe. 

The Tg of PAA has been variously reported as 75,106, and 126°C, depending on the mode of measurement. However, the highest value is probably the most accurate. Solid polymers are hard, clear, brittle materials. In aqueous solutions, viscosity increases with increasing molecular weight. PAA imdergoes a munber of reactions in solution, ie, hydrolysis, esterification, dehydration, and complex formation with polyethers. PAA is an excellent thickener for lattices. PAA has been used in oil recovery, as a dispersant for inorganic pigments, as a flocculant, and as an adhesive. 

When polymers are used in oil recovery operations, it is clearly important that the polymer properties are not rapidly degraded. The main property of interest in this respect is generally the polymer solution viscosity although, for some polymers, the ability of the polymer to reduce the permeability of the reservoir formation may also be of some importance. Polymer degradation refers to any process that will break down the molecular structure of the macromolecule and the main degradation pathways of concern in oil recovery applications are as follows ... 

The petrochemical industry also has a need for environmentally friendly surfactants for use in oil recovery, clean-up operations, and emulsion formation for handling and application purposes. Pruthi and Cameotra report the behavior of a novel sucrose glycolipid, produced by Serratia marcescens, that could be classed as a sugar ester surfactant, and its potential use in oil recovery and cleaning applications [106]. 

Foams find wide use in oil recovery, from the initial drilling of the bore holes, through the first recovery stage, and, increasingly, all the way to tertiary or enhanced oil recovery. 

Sodium silicate is used by the adhesives and sealing industries. It is used in the sizing of textiles and paper and as a detergent. Sodium silicate is also used in oil recovery operations and in drilling fluids. 

About 55% of sodium sulfite produced is used by the paper industry. Another 10% is used in oil recovery and 20% is used in photography. Sodium sulfite is used in water treatment and is a reducing agent in dye processes. Sodium sulfite is used in food preservation and in textile bleaching. 

In case of emergency shutdown and rapid depressurization of high-pressure equipment used in oil recovery, the gas that is dissolved inside elastomeric seals will... 

Among the haloarchaea, Haloferax and Haloarcula are studied extensively for production of EPS. Haloferax mediterranei was the first haloar-chaeon to be reported for EPS. The organism is isolated from Mediterranean Sea. The EPS has complex chemical composition and can be used in oil recovery especially in oil deposits with high salinity (Anton et al., 1988 Parolis et al., 1996). Acidic EPS produced by Haloferax denitrificans has been described by Parolis et al. (1999) and EPS of Haloferax gibbonsii by Paramonov et al. (1998). Nicolaus et al. (1999) have described EPS producing Haloarcula japonica strain T5, Haloarcula sp. strain T6 and strain T7. The information on halophiles producing EPS is summarized in Table 1.2. 

Mclnerney MJ, Youssef N Nagle DP. 2009. Lipopeptide biosurfactants and their use in oil recovery. In Hayes, D.G., Kitamoto, D., Solaiman, D.K.Y. Ashby, R.D. (editors). Bio-based Surfactants and Detergents Synthesis, Properties, and Applications. Champaign, IL American Oil Chemists Society Press, pp. 129-153. 

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