rheological properties

foam

foam stability

Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects

Here, smart water assisted with synthesized SiO 2 nanoparticles have been utilized to prepare the foam solution. Effect of SiO 2 nanoparticles on foam stability and oil displacement efficiency in carbonated pattern of glass micromodel have been studied. Obtained results showed that foam solution with smart water assisted with silica nanoparticles has the highest stability in comparison to the distilled water and smart water free of nanoparticles. In the presence of the nanoparticles the stability of the foam solution has significantly increased. However, the highest stability of the smart water based-foam solution has been attained with SiO 2 nanoparticles at concentration of 3000 ppm. In the foam solution of smart water without the nanoparticles, the values of R 5 and half-life (t 1/2 ) are 91.5 and 2813s, respectively. While, these values in the presence of the dispersed nanoparticles reach to about 99.2 and 3812s, respectively. During the injection experiments with foam solution prepared by the smart water mixed with SiO 2 nanoparticles in micromodel, the breakthrough of the foam has been postponed and oil recovery factor has been improved. Due to the presence of the silica nanoparticles in foam solution high-thickness lamellae has been formed and snap-off and lamella division phenomena have occurred in porous network on microscopic scale. • Improvement of foam stability in presence of SiO2 nanoparticles. • Investigation of oil-flow pattern during foam injection in porous-medium. • Enhancement of smart water properties for foam generation with SiO2 nanoparticles. • Better oil displacement efficiency with SiO2 nanoparticles in foam solution.

Enhancement of smart water-based foam characteristics by SiO2 nanoparticles for EOR applications