Work

Synergistic collaboration between an emulsifier, surfactant and penetrant for rapid low-shear emulsification to enhance heavy-oil recovery

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: , and reduced the contact angle to 33°. Core-flooding experiments yielded a cumulative oil recovery of 36.7%. Molecular dynamics simulations attributed the rapid low-shear emulsification to enhanced hydrophilicity, reduced steric hindrance, and accelerated molecular diffusion and penetration into heavy oil. These results demonstrate the multiscale synergy among the emulsifier, surfactant, and penetrant and highlight the great potential for enhancing heavy-oil recovery.

Source: RSC Advances

DOI: 10.1039/d6ra07023j

Authors: Jingxin Ruan, Huohai Yang, Xin Chen, Chengjun Xu, Zhenyu Li

Institutions: Southwest Petroleum University, State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation

Language: English

Topic: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques

Subfield: Fuel Technology

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,042

Funder: Southwest Petroleum University