A Stabilizer that Enhances the Oil Recovery Process Using Silica-Based Nanofluids

This study investigates the effect of a stabilizer on nanofluid stability and incremental oil during the enhanced oil recovery process. Untreated nanoparticles tend to form aggregates that are larger than the primary particle size when dispersed in liquid. This phenomenon affects the flooding process because the particles will be retained at the inlet injection point rather than be transported through a porous medium. A non-toxic (environmentally friendly) stabilizer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, is studied that successfully improves the stability of silica-based nanofluids at a particular time and temperature. In addition, it alters nanofluids properties such as the surface conductivity, pH, viscosity, and the particle size distribution that takes into account the nanofluids stability. During coreflooding as a tertiary process, improving the stability of nanofluids significantly affects the increase in oil recovery. These investigations will go beyond the nanofluids restriction at higher concentrations (e.g., 0.1 wt% or higher). Stability is observed as an important parameter in accomplishing successful nanofluids for enhanced oil recovery process.