Abstract
The relative wettability of oil and water on solid surfaces is generally governed by a complex competition of molecular interaction forces acting in such three-phase systems. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate how the adsorption of in nature abundant divalent Ca2+ cations to solid-liquid interfaces induces a macroscopic wetting transition from finite contact angles (≈10°) with to near-zero contact angles without divalent cations. We developed a quantitative model based on DLVO theory to demonstrate that this transition, which is observed on model clay surfaces, mica, but not on silica surfaces nor for monovalent K+ and Na+ cations is driven by charge reversal of the solid-liquid interface. Small amounts of a polar hydrocarbon, stearic acid, added to the ambient decane synergistically enhance the effect and lead to water contact angles up to 70° in the presence of Ca2+. Our results imply that it is the removal of divalent cations that makes reservoir rocks more hydrophilic, suggesting a generalizable strategy to control wettability and an explanation for the success of so-called low salinity water flooding, a recent enhanced oil recovery technology.
Original language | English |
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DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Apr 2015 |
Event | 18th European Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, IOR 2015 - Dresden, Germany Duration: 14 Apr 2015 → 16 Apr 2015 Conference number: 18 |
Conference
Conference | 18th European Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, IOR 2015 |
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Abbreviated title | IOR 2015 |
Country/Territory | Germany |
City | Dresden |
Period | 14/04/15 → 16/04/15 |
Keywords
- IR-99266
- METIS-312409