The Influence of Ionic Liquid Type, Concentration, and Slug Size on Heavy Oil Recovery Performance (original) (raw)

2017, Brazilian Journal of Petroleum and Gas

Recent studies show that Ionic Liquids (ILs) have the ability to improve oil recovery. In this experimental study, an imidazolium-based Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid (RTIL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]), was used to extract heavy oil (14 °API) from unconsolidated packed sand samples. The RTIL was injected as slug, with different concentrations and sizes. The [EMIM][OAc] results were compared with the efficiency of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMIM][Tf 2 N]) and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([DMIM][Cl]) ILs. The results indicate that the efficiency of IL depends mainly on the type of IL. A comparison with a well-known commercial surfactant (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, SDS) was performed, and the results confirmed the higher efficiency of the ionic liquids. Changes in Interfacial Tension (IFT), Surface Tension (SFT), and Zeta Potential (ZP) in the solution supported the recovery factor results. Finding the optimum concentration and slug size are significant factors in making the oil extraction process more economical.