Application of titanium dioxide and silica oxide in enhanced oil recovery
Murat Tleukhanov
Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University,
Astana, Kazakhstan
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The application of nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery is needed to increase the yield factor.
The properties like the mobility ratio, interfacial tension, wettability can be improved by adding
nanoparticles in injection fluid for recovery. In the last few decades, surfactants have been used
for this purpose. At that time the unique properties of nanoparticles have attracted the attention
of scientists and oil companies. It led to an investigation of a large number of nanoparticles for
enhanced oil recovery application either in combination with surfactants or alone. This review
evaluates the using of TiO 2 and SiO 2 nanoparticles that have been used in enhanced oil
recovery. The effects using nanoparticles in oil recovery and current problems in application
to the industry are discussed.
NPs
Thin layer of NPs
Wedge shaped film
Disjoining pressure