Silica Nanoparticles in Xanthan Gum Solutions: Oil Recovery Efficiency in Core Flooding Tests.

Polymer flooding is one of the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods that increase the macroscopic efficiency of the flooding process and enhanced crude oil recovery. In this study, the effect of silica nanoparticles (NP-SiO) in xanthan gum (XG) solutions was investigated through the analysis of efficiency in core flooding tests. First, the viscosity profiles of two polymer solutions, XG biopolymer and synthetic hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) polymer, were characterized individually through rheological measurements, with and without salt (NaCl).

Effect of Silica Nanoparticles in Xanthan Gum Solutions: Evolution of Viscosity over Time.

The effect of silica nanoparticles (NP-SiO) in xanthan gum (XG) solutions was investigated through the analysis of viscosity profiles. First, hydrocolloid XG solutions and hydrophilic NP-SiO suspensions were characterized individually through rheological measurements, with and without salt (NaCl). Then, nanofluids composed of XG and NP-SiO dispersed in water and brine were studied through two different aging tests.