1. Nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions for improved oil recovery Steven Bryant, The University of Texas at Austin
Nanoparticles with appropriate coatings can stabilize oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions, depending on the hydrophilic/lipophilic nature of the coating. This research focuses on 5 nm silica cores coated with different polymers.
Droplet images for decane-in-water emulsions made with varied nanoparticle concentration (NPC) (each row from top to bottom: 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5 by wt %) and salinity (each column from left to right: 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 by wt %). Initial volume ratio: water/decane = 1.
Emulsions are stable for months, and strongly shear-thinning behavior is useful for increasing oil recovery from waterflooded reservoirs
O/w emulsion viscosity vs. shear rate with varied nanoparticle concentration (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5 by wt %) and no salt. Legend key is (nanoparticle concentration); (salinity).