New nanofluid will make oil production more environmentally friendly

The researchers explain that so-called heavy oil is the result of the molecular structure of oil —

accounts for 70% of the world's oil reserves and will be needed to meet growing energy needs until clean energy sources are availableModern technologies for oil production using steam are expensive and causedamage to the environment.

However, scientists have developed a nanofluid that helps extract oil from the reservoir using three mechanisms:

• The chemical reaction that occurs when sodium nanoparticles come into contact with the water in the tank generatesheat, acting in the same way as steam injection and other heat-based methods to push oil out of the reservoir, without the need for an external — and greenhouse gas-producing — source of heat.
• The nanofluid also causes a reaction withthe formation of sodium hydroxide, a chemical commonly used for alkaline flooding in oil fields. Sodium hydroxide can cause movement in the oil and cause a viscosity-lowering reaction.
• The third reaction produces hydrogen gas that can be used for waterflooding, another common oil recovery method.

Sodium nanomaterials are dispersed after the reaction, thus causing no damage to the environment.Optimal concentrations will vary depending on the individual development conditions. 

Sodium is highly reactive with water. This suggests that it may be useful for enhanced oil recovery. However, this also complicates its preparation - too early exposure to water will lead to failure. The researchers solved this problem by preparing sodium nanoparticles in silicone oil, allowing the substance to disperse throughout the reservoir before it comes into contact with the water in the reservoir, causing smaller chemical reactions over a larger area. It is also possible to disperse sodium nanoparticles in other solvents including pentane and kerosene, or even mix them with polymers or surfactants to achieve higher oil recovery.

Although the document focuses onusing nanofluid to increase heavy oil recovery, scientists note that it can also be used in light oil production and for more general domestic purposes such as cleaning pipes clogged with grease.

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