Work

Nano-silica to reduce of surfactant adsorption in oil recovery: A review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Oil recovery in geological reservoirs can be enhanced by surfactant flooding, yet this technique is limited by surfactant adsorption on rocks. Here we review the use of nano-silica to decrease surfactant adsorption and to recover more oil, with a focus on surfactant flooding and adsorption, nano-silica properties and development, strategies to reduce surfactant adsorption, and the use of other nanoparticles such as zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, and titanium dioxide. During classical waterflooding, more than 60% of the oil remains trapped in reservoirs due to adsorption of surfactants onto reservoir rocks, which can reach up to 2.84 mg/g. The use of nano-silica reduces surfactant adsorption by 43%, lowers the adsorption density to 1.61 mg/g, and, in turn, improves oil recovery from 4.43 to 9.11%.

Source: Environmental Chemistry Letters

DOI: 10.1007/s10311-025-01875-y

Authors: A. F. A. Rahman, Agus Arsad, Dai-Viet N. Vo, M. B. Bahari

Institutions: University of Technology Malaysia, Korea University, Trường ĐH Nguyễn Tất Thành, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah

Language: English

Topic: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funder: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia