Optimal surfactant design for recovered hydrocarbon enhancement
US9657565B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2209/05
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods including the step of producing a bulk fluid from a subterranean formation, the bulk fluid comprising at least water and a hydrocarbon. The bulk fluid is then sampled to form at least one sampled fluid. Next, constituent parameters of the sampled fluid are determined using the hydrophilic-lipophilic deviation (HLD) model. The constituent parameters include the salinity (S) of the sampled fluid, the salinity constant (b); the equivalent alkane carbon number for the hydrocarbon in the sampled fluid (EACN); T is temperature of the sampled fluid; the characteristic curvature for an ionic surfactant composition (cc) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (ccn); the surfactant temperature constant for the ionic surfactant composition (αT) or for a nonionic surfactant composition (cT). Also determining an optimal surfactant or optimal surfactant blend to achieve an oil-water separation morphological phase distribution of the sampled fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.