Adsorption of methyl ester sulfonate surfactant on Berea sandstone: Parametric optimization, kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamics studies

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Vol. 686; p. 133363
• Main Authors: Yusuff, Adeyinka S., Gbadamosi, Afeez O., Bode-Olajide, Favour B., Igbafe, Anselm I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.04.2024
• Subjects: Anionic surfactant; Enhanced oil recovery; Methyl ester sulfonate; Optimization; Static adsorption; Anionic surfactant; Methyl ester sulfonate; Static adsorption; Enhanced oil recovery; Optimization
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.133363

Anionic surfactants are utilized as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) additive in sandstone reservoirs due to their excellent surface-activity and self-assembly behaviour. Considering the toxicity of some of the conventional surfactants and the clamour for sustainability approach for oil and gas operations, this present study focuses on application of anionic bio-based surfactant (methyl ester sulfonate, MES) synthesized from used cooking oil in EOR. Studies on MES adsorption onto sandstone reservoir rock were conducted, and the influence of static conditions on adsorption rate using Taguchi experimental design approach was explored. Adsorption data were analyzed using various isotherm and kinetics models. The obtained findings from optimization studies showed that salinity had a significant effect on the process, followed by temperature and pH. The concentration of surfactant had the least effect on the static adsorption process. At an optimum initial MES concentration of 500 ppm, salinity of 3.0 wt%, pH of 4.0, and temperature of 30 °C, the maximum extent of MES adsorbed by the sandstone was 98.9±0.69%. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics models were found to fit well with the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data, respectively. The obtained values of thermodynamic parameters confirmed that MES adsorption onto sandstone was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic. [Display omitted] •Adsorption of self-synthesized methyl ester sulfonate (MES) surfactant on sandstone was studied.•Optimization of static conditions showed that salinity had significant effect on the process.•Isotherm and kinetics data were well described by Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models•MES adsorption mechanism was controlled by capillary force, system charge and pH.•MES adsorption efficiency of 98.9±0.69% was achieved under optimum conditions.