Emulsification Stability of An Amphiphilic Polymer for Chemical Flooding

Background: Emulsification plays a pivotal role in the process of enhanced oil recovery, especially in chemical flooding. Emulsification has emerged as one of the key mechanisms facilitating oil recovery in polymer flooding. Aim: This study aimed to solve the problem of emulsification and stability of amphiphilic polymers in the process of oil displacement. Materials and methods: The emulsion was prepared by stirring emulsification method in the lab, and the dynamic stability of the emulsion was determined by stabilizer, and the size and distribution of droplets were determined by laser particle sizing instrument. Results: The experimental results show that, with the increasing mass concentration of amphiphilic polymer, the apparent viscosity of the solution is significantly increased. The emulsification ability and the stability of the emulsion are also enhanced. In addition, the microstructure of the emulsion shows that the amphiphilic polymer with higher concentration helps to reduce the particle size of the emulsified oil droplets and impels the more uniform distribution. Furthermore, the amphiphilic polymer system was conductive to improving the oil-water emulsification ability and prolonging the stability of the emulsion, especially in high-salinity and high-temperature environments. Conclusion: The results of the study are of guiding significance for the emulsification of amphiphilic polymers for oil recovery.