Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-rkxrd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T03:28:29.761Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Microemulsion Performance Fluids

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

J. Bock
Affiliation:
Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ 08801
M. L. Robbins
Affiliation:
Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ 08801
S. J. Pace
Affiliation:
Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ 08801
Get access

Abstract

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable mixtures of two immiscible fluids, such as oil and water, and one or more surfactants or cosurfactants. These systems have a rich micro-structure and phase behavior which can take the form of a variety of multi-phase and single phase oil- or watercontinuous or bicontinuous fluids with unique and useful properties. The thermodynamic stability, ultra-low interfacial tension, clarity, high solubilization capacity and high interfacial area suggest uses “performance fluids.” The relationship between surfactant ussetsru cfotur reth eansde the phase behavior and properties of microemulsions is the key to their design. Through the proper selection of surfactants, microemulsion phase continuity can be tailored for a variety of applications. Two such applications, coal freeze conditioning and oil spill dispersion, are described in this paper.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Siano, D. B., Bock, J., and Myer, P.: “Interactions of Water-Soluble Polymers with Microemulsions and Surfactants” in ACS Symposium Series 384 “Polymer Association Structures: Microemulsions and Liquid Crystals” El-Nokaly, M. A., Ed., Amer. Chem. Soc., Washington, DC 1989, Chapter 20, page 328.Google Scholar
2. Bock, J., Siano, D. B., Valint, P. L. Jr., and Pace, S. J.: “Structure and Properties of Hydrophobically Associating Polymers” in Advances in Chemistry Series No. 223 “Polymers in Aqueous Media: Performance Through Association,” Glass, J. E., Ed., Amer. Chem. Soc. 1989, Chapter 22, page 411.Google Scholar
3. Bock, J., Valint, P. L. Jr., Pace, S. J., Siano, D. B., Schulz, D. N., and Turner, S. R.: “Hydrophobically Associating Polymers” in “Water-Soluble Polymers for Petroleum Recovery,” Stahl, G. A. and Schulz, D. N., Ed., Plenum Publ. Corp., 1988, page 147.Google Scholar
4. Schulman, J. H., Stockenius, W., and Prince, L.: J. Phys. Chem. 63, 1677 (1959).Google Scholar
5. Reed, R. L. and Healy, R. N.: “Improved Oil Recovery by Surfactant and Polymer Flooding,” Academic Press, New York 1977.Google Scholar
6. Winsor, P. A.: Trans. Faraday Soc., 44, 376 (1948) and “Solvent Properties of Amphiphilic Compounds,” pps. 7, 57–60, 68–71, Butterworths, London, 1954.Google Scholar
7. Robbins, M. L.: “Theory for the Phase Behavior of Microemulsions” in “Micellization, Solubilization, and Microemulsions,” Mittal, K. L., Ed., Plenum, New York 1977, Vol.2, page 713.Google Scholar
8. Shinoda, K. and Friberg, S.: Adv. in Colloid and Interface Sci., 4, 281 (1975).Google Scholar
9. Robbins, M. L. and Bock, J.: “Model for Microemulsions. I. Effect of Sulfonate Surfactant Cation and Chain Size and Concentration on Phase Behavior,” J. Colloid Interface Sci. 124, 462 (1988).Google Scholar
10. Robbins, M. L., Bock, J., and Huang, J. S.: “Model for Microemulsions. III. Interfacial Tension and Droplet Size Correlation with Phase Behavior of Mixed Surfactants,” J. Colloid Interface Sci. 126, 114 (1988).Google Scholar