f Application of Nanoparticles in Adsorption Reduction of Polymer in Chemical EOR Processes, Experimental Approach

The implementation of tertiary Enhanced Oil Recovery methods is required due to the huge amount of oil retained in the reservoir at the primary recovery stage. Polymer flooding has proved to be an effective chemical EOR method which improves sweep efficiency and increases recovery; however, one of the major problems that can make polymer flooding inefficient and economically infeasible is polymer adsorption on the rock surface. Applicable methods which can reduce polymer adsorption in carbonated porous media have not yet been widely investigated. In this paper, the effects of adding nano silica and nano alumina on adsorption-reduction of polymer in Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (PHPA) solutions were experimentally studied. Adsorption density of six test points was calculated based on the calibration curve generated in accordance to the solution electrical conductivity. Also, the Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) was determined (1580 PPM at 28 C). The results show the adsorption density decreases by 16% in presence of nano silica and 24% in presence of nano alumina and therefore, the addition of nanoparticles into the polymeric solutions remarkably reduces the polymer concentration loss.