Application of novel functionalized Al2O3/silica by organosiloxane and amine reagents for enhanced oil recovery

The presence of nanoparticles (NPs), as new and efficient materials in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), has been considerably investigated in recent decades. In addition, smart surface modification of NPs is one of the capabilities recently defined in nanotechnology and nanoscience. Therefore, the main aim of this research is the application of new silica nanoparticles containing Al2O3 activators in EOR. Organosiloxane and amines have been used for surface modification and homogenized dispersibility of NPs in water-based as amine/organosiloxane@Al2O3/SiO2 (AOAS) nanocomposites synthesized using co-precipitation-hydrothermal method. These nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray methods (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The stability of these nanocomposites was then investigated in different concentrations (100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 ppm). Furthermore, contact angle, surface and interfacial tension have been measured. The results show that the surface modification process can significantly improve wettability and energetic surface activity. The use of AOAS nano-products in the specified concentrations for flooding into a micromodel shows that these nanocomposites can improve the oil efficiency. Besides, the oil recovery factors at 2000 ppm concentration for nanocomposites A, B (sequently were synthesized by impregnation and wet-chemical methods) and commercial nanosilica were found to be 66, 59.5 and 51.2%, respectively. It was observed that the new AOAS nanocomposites are able to improve the oil recovery factor of glass micromodel through the EOR process, compared with commercial silica nanoparticles.