Ultrasound-assisted weak-acid hydrolysis of crystalline starch nanoparticles for chemical enhanced oil recovery

  • Augustine Agi
  • , Radzuan Junin*
  • , Agus Arsad
  • , Azza Abbas
  • , Afeez Gbadamosi
  • , Nur Bashirah Azli
  • , Jeffrey Oseh
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ascorbic acid was used for the first time to synthesize crystalline starch nanoparticles (CSNP). The physical properties of the CSNP were investigated. Rheological properties of the crystalline starch nanofluid (CSNF) were compared with native cassava starch (CS) and commercial polymer xanthan. Interfacial properties of the CSNF at the interface of oil and water (O/W) were investigated at different concentrations and temperatures. Wettability alteration efficiency of CSNF on oil-wet sandstone surface was investigated using the sessile drop method. Core flooding experiment was conducted at reservoir conditions. The methods were effective in producing spherical and polygonal nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 100 nm and increased in crystallinity of 7%. Viscosity increased with increase in surface area and temperature of the CSNF compared to a decrease in viscosity as the temperature increases for xanthan. Interfacial tension (IFT) decreased with increase in concentration of CSNF, electrolyte and temperature. The results show that CSNF can change the wettability of sandstone at low concentration, high salinity and elevated temperature. Pressure drops data shows stability of CSNF at 120 °C. The formation of oil bank was enough to increase oil recovery by 23%.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1251-1271
Number of pages21
JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Volume148
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Enhanced oil recovery
  • Nanoparticles
  • Ultrasonic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ultrasound-assisted weak-acid hydrolysis of crystalline starch nanoparticles for chemical enhanced oil recovery'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this