Application of Nano-particle for EOR Process

Nano-particles are effectively a bridge between bulk materials and atomic or molecular structures.

Application of nano-silica for EOR process, especially for low permeability oil field has broad development prospects. The future work in the host institution will focus on two parts.

First, find an economic way to manufacture and modify nano-silica. There are a lot of methods to create nano-silica. I will try both physical or chemical methods. Nano-silica has high chemical activity due to the particle surface exist many unsaturated bonds and different types of hydroxyls. The purpose of the chemical modification is replacing the surface hydroxyls with the target groups, such as alcohol, amine, silane coupling agent, hence change the physicochemical property of nano-silica. Under the guidance of Dr. Li, I will select the appropriate reagents for modification according to the oil property from Saskatchewan oil field.

Second, verification performance experiments will also be taken. The creation method of nano-silica will decide by the grain size and stability in water. The modified nano-silica should change surface wettability and/or reduce interfacial tension.

Faculty Supervisor:

Fanhua Bill Zeng

Student:

Partner:

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Oil and Gas; Nanotechnology; Energy and Utilities

University:

University of Regina

Program: