Influence of thermal treatment and aging time on the stability and swelling properties of nano/micron-sized polymeric spheres for improved oil recovery application

Abstract

Understanding the knowledge of swelling and stability properties of polymeric spheres are essential for improved oil recovery; these properties will allow guaranteeing an efficient block of high permeability channels and large pore throats. These properties of nano/micron-sized polymeric spheres commercially available for improved oil recovery applications were investigated. The polymeric spheres emulsion was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data analysis reveals uniform and spherical structures with an average diameter of 47 ± 4.8 nm. After hydration, polymeric spheres can swell due to water absorption reaching an average particle diameter of 3.3 ± 0.2 μm. The effect of aging time, thermal treatment, the removal of the oil phase, and the dispersing stabilizer on the swelling and stability was studied. It has been found that polymeric spheres structure suffers deterioration with the progressive aging time, temperature increase, and with the removal of the oil phase and dispersing stabilizer. As a result, crosslinked polymer aggregates are formed which subsequently acquiring fibrillar morphologies. Further, this study provides an understanding of the stability and swelling behavior of polymeric microspheres using polydimethylsiloxane microdevices. The results evidenced that the behavior of the polymeric spheres can be beneficial to improve oil recovery.