Effect of electrostatic interaction on the retention and remobilization of colloidal particles in porous media

Journal article (2021)

Authors

Anna K. Kottsova Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
M. Mirzaie Yegane Reservoir Engineering - CEG
A. A. Tchistiakov Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
P.L.J. Zitha Reservoir Engineering - CEG
Research Group
Reservoir Engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 Anna K. Kottsova, M. Mirzaie Yegane, Alexei A. Tchistiakov, P.L.J. Zitha
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126371
Fines Van der Waals Interactions Electrostatic Hematite particles Point of zero charge
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Geoscience and Engineering

Research Group

Reservoir Engineering

Abstract

We investigate the effect of pH on external hematite colloidal particles entrapment and remobilization by core-flood experiments combined with X ray computed tomography. Suspensions of calibrated hematite colloidal particles were injected into Bentheimer sandstones sample, composed mainly of well-sorted quartz and small clay fraction (up to 1 wt%), consisting mainly of kaolinite. We have found that permeability impairment due to an external cake build-up can be reversed when pH exceeds the point of zero charge of hematite particles. This effect could be successfully interpreted by the switching of the surface charge of hematite particles from positive to the negative, similar to the rock surface. The experimentally verified pH-controlled electrostatic retention and remobilization technique can be extended to other colloidal particles, having pH-dependent surface charge, including natural clay minerals in hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs. Therefore, varying pH of injected fluid can be applied for targeted external cake build-up and transportation of colloidal particles within a reservoir.