Amphoteric 2D Nanosheet for Oil-Water Interfacial Tension Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waterflooding methods in oilfields face challenges such as high oil/water interfacial tension, strong oil wettability, and low micro oil flooding efficiency due to the hydrophobic nature of carbon nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes and graphene, limiting oil recovery rates to around 32%.
Innovation Solution
A preparation method for an amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet is developed through chemical modification of few-layered graphite oxide, which forms a Pickering emulsion at the oil-water interface, reducing interfacial tension and enhancing oil flooding efficiency by increasing the number of capillaries and sweep volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional waterflooding methods are used, then oil production can be maintained, but oil recovery rate is limited to around 32% due to high oil/water interfacial tension and strong oil wettability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the flooding agent by introducing amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheets with specific surface charge properties. These nanosheets can adjust their electrostatic characteristics to effectively reduce oil/water interfacial tension and modify rock wettability, thereby improving oil recovery rate beyond the conventional 32% limit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheets that combine multiple functional properties in a single material system. These composite nanosheets integrate surfactant-like interfacial activity with nanoparticle characteristics, enabling simultaneous reduction of interfacial tension and modification of wettability to enhance oil recovery
2Productivity
If carbon nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes and graphene are used, then nanomaterial effects can be achieved, but their hydrophobic nature limits their effectiveness in waterflooding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the surface chemical parameters of carbon nanomaterials by introducing amphoteric functional groups. This modification transforms the surface properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic while maintaining the nanomaterial's core functionality, enabling effective dispersion and operation in waterflooding environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality modification by introducing amphoteric functional groups specifically at the surface of the two-dimensional nanosheets. This creates a dual-nature surface with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics that can adapt to different interfaces, allowing the nanosheets to effectively interact with both water and oil phases
3Adaptability or versatility
If chemical modification is performed to improve hydrophilicity, then carbon nanomaterials can function in waterflooding, but the preparation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheets with optimized functional groups before field application. This advance preparation ensures the nanomaterials have the required hydrophilic properties and stable dispersion characteristics, simplifying the overall implementation process and reducing on-site preparation complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet effectively reduces interfacial tension, stabilizes flooding fronts, and improves oil recovery rates by up to 25% through enhanced wettability and capillary formation, facilitating more efficient water injection and oil extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet can control an interfacial tension of crude oil within an order of 10−1 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
spontaneously enrich at an oil-water interface after injecting into a formation, and form Pickering emulsion of water-in-oil
Data Source
AI summary
An amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet and a preparation method thereof are provided. The amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet is prepared by the following steps: uniformly dispersing few-layered graphene oxide into toluene and then adding alkylamine coupling agent to a mixture of the few-layered graphite oxide and the toluene for reaction; amine terminated graphite oxide dispersion that has been prepared is fully dispersed in toluene-dimethylformamide mixed solvent, and then, alkyl glycidyl ether is added into the above solution for reaction, so as to obtain the amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet. The amphoteric two-dimensional nanosheet of the present disclosure can be prepared by modifying two-dimensional graphite oxide, to spontaneously form water-in-oil Pickering emulsion at an oil-water interface, compared with emulsion of conventional surfactants, the present disclosure can effectively stabilize the waterflooding front, improve the sweep volume of waterflooding, have a simple synthesis process for convenient large-scale production, and be widely used in waterflooding development reservoirs.