ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Stability and efficiency of magnesium oxide–sodium alginate combination in low salinity EOR processes: an integrated approach of CCD

Zeeshan Ali Lashari, Muhammad Aamir, Shaine Mohammadali Lalji, Muhammad Murtaza, Yumna Yamin, Masood Haider, Muhammad Bilal, Wedad A. Al-onozi, Amal M. Al-Mohaimeed, Rashid Iqbal, and Mazhar Ahmed

Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

E-mail: zalashari@duet.edu.pk

Received: 1 November 2024  Accepted: 19 March 2025

Abstract:

The applications of nanofluid prepared with polymer and nanoparticles are being widely applied in oil reservoirs to get better oil recovery. An analytical and stability investigation of nanofluid prepared using Magnesium oxide nanoparticles with Sodium alginate at salinity (NaCl 1.0 wt%) was examined on laboratory basis. Nanofluid was characterized on the basis of sedimentation, effect of pH, morphology with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) of MgO nanoparticle, Sodium alginate and nanofluid, FTIR, and XRD of MgO to examine the applicability of nanofluids. The effect on stability and viscosity employing different concentrations of MgO was studied in brine solutions. Specifically, three different concentrations of nanoparticles (0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 wt%) were used in brine solutions using fixed salt concentration of NaCl 1.0 wt%, whereas sodium alginate was employed with 0.30–0.50 wt% concentrations. The morphology of MgO and elemental analysis were carried out to investigate the composition and insight structure of MgO. In addition, the micrograph of sodium alginate with FTIR was investigated to better understand insight into structure of sodium alginate. Moreover, the settling down of MgO was observed in the solution with greater concentration of nanoparticles, which marks that MgO settles down in a short time, but with using low concentration the settling time can be delayed. Optimized concentration of nanofluid (sodium alginate 0.40 wt% and MgO 0.10 wt%) was achieved for applicability in low saline reservoirs. The key theme of this research article is to find optimum concentration to form stable nanofluid using sodium alginate with MgO at salinity NaCl 1.0 wt%, that can be employed in saline reservoirs to improve oil recovery. The application of nanofluid was confirmed using simulation (statistical method) with CCD approach that further confirmed the nanofluid under above-mentioned optimized conditions can be applied in low saline reservoirs. It can be marked that nanolfuid prepared emplying sodium alginate and MgO.

Keywords: Fluids; Food Nanotechnology; Nanoparticle Synthesis; Nanofluidics; Salt; Ionic Liquids; Enhanced oil recovery; Magnesium oxide; Nanofluid; Stability of nanofluid

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04061-0

Chemical Papers 79 (7) 4363–4377 (2025)