Effect of nanoparticles on phase behavior of surfactant-oil-water system: An application in multiphase flow system

This paper experimentally investigates how adding nanoparticles to Soloterra surfactant affects phase behavior and surfactant flooding. These experiments include three phases. In phase one, phase behavior tests are conducted on surfactant solutions to choose the compatible nanoparticle. Phase two entails measuring interfacial tension between the stable nanoparticle + surfactant solutions and hydrocarbon. In phase three, a series of micromodel flooding tests are conducted to experimentally study the possibility of enhancing oil recovery. A possible relationship between static phase behavior and dynamic fluid flow is studied to evaluate the effects of nanoparticles on surfactant solutions. The results of the phase behavior experiment show that Soloterra 964 is compatible with Al2O3 and Cu2O. Moreover, the Soloterra 964 + copper oxide solution can help observe all three Winsor types. The interfacial tension test results show that adding nanoparticles to solutions leads to lower interfacial tension. The results of micromodel flooding experiments indicate that adding surfactant and nanoparticle to the injected solution leads to higher breakthrough time and oil recovery. In addition, type III flooding produced a less stable displacement pattern than types II- and II+.