Preliminary Assessment of an Environmentally-Friendly Surfactant Synthesized from Elaeis Guineensis Palm Kernel oil for its Use in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

Abstract The current work examines the potential of the natural surfactant derived from palm kernel oil for its enhanced oil recovery application. The anionic green surfactant was synthesized from palm kernel oil using sodium hydroxide as alkali via saponification process. The synthesized surfactant was characterized by FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined by surface tension and conductivity measurements at air-aqueous interface. Foam stability studies were performed as a function of time and concentration through the Bartsch test method. Stable emulsions were formed by the surfactant at concentration close to the CMC value of 5 g/L, while surfactant retention on to rock surface was studied through a static adsorption test. The effect of salt on the emulsion behaviour, foam stability and adsorption density was also investigated. A preliminary assessment of the foaming tendency, emulsifying and adsorption properties of the palm-kernel-based surfactant provides grounds for its potential application in enhanced oil recovery as the performance evaluation of the synthesized surfactant exhibits close relationship with commercial surfactant used in EOR applications.