Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoclay

Recent developments in nanotechnology illustarates that addition of nanoparticles (NPs) can improve the efficiency of water in oil displacement and enhance the oil recovery. It is not still clear that which type of nanoparticles is proper for EOR processes. Therefore, in this research theeffect of clay/water nanofluid on the oil recovery has been investigated in a glass micromodel. It is worthy to mention that for the first time in this study the effect of nanoclay on the EOR process has been investigated. Nanoclay is one of the main components of sandstone rocks, so it iscompatible to the environment. Also this nanoparticle is inexpensive. In order to prepare the nanofluid, particles of nanoclay with 1 wt% concentration were dispersed in water using theultrasonic bath for 40 minutes. Then the nanofluid was injected linearly in the glass micromodel toinvestigate it's effect on the oil recovery. Experimental results illustrates that nanoclay can improve the oil recovery. The suspension stability was also studied and observations confirmed that the nanoclay/water nanofluid does not have a good stability. It seems that enhancing the nanofluid stability may result in a higher oil recovery

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanoclay ، Nanofluid ، EOR ، Micromodel ، Stability