Nanoparticle-modified gemini surfactant foams as efficient displacing fluids for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract Surfactant-nanoparticle stabilized foams hold significant potential in the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This article discusses an experimental methodology to characterize foam fluids containing {N, N′-bis (dimethyltetradecyl)-1,6-hexanediammonium bromide (14-6-14 GS) + silica/boron nitride} and identify optimal formulations, based on physicochemical evaluation. Stability studies revealed half-life time of ~6 h for 14-6-14 GS foam, which dramatically improved to 27 h and 33 1 3 h in the presence of silica (SiO2) and boron nitride (BN) particles respectively. Enhanced stability was achieved in surfactant-nanoparticle fluids owing to strengthened mechanical barrier (electrostatic repulsion + steric) at gas-liquid interfaces. Structural morphologies of foam lamellae were analyzed by macroscopic and microscopic (imaging). Gaussian, Cauchy-Lorentz and Pseudo-Voight probability distribution functions were applied to model bubble size data. Pendant drop analyses showed that oil/brine IFT decreased from 27.2 mN/m to