Novel Surfactant for the Reduction of CO2/Brine Interfacial Tension

Muhammad Sagir, Isa M. Tan, Muhammad Mushtaq, Lukman Ismail, Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Rizwan Azam, Muhammad Rehan Hashmet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The synthesis of novel CO2 philic surfactant using maleic anhydride and dipropylene tertiary butyl alcohol is reported. The synthesis involved the esterification of maleic anhydride to produce bis(2-(2-(tert-butoxy)propoxy)propyl) maleate and subsequent sulfonation of the esterified product. Para toluene sulfonic acid was employed as catalyst for the esterification reaction. The esterification reaction was optimized for the maximum yield of 98% of bis(2-(2-(tert-butoxy)propoxy)propyl) maleate. The esterification reaction kinetics employing heterogeneous catalyst were also studied. Although this is a bimolecular reaction, a first order reaction kinetics with respect to acid has been observed. The activation energy was found to be 58.71 kJ/mol. The diester was followed by the sulfonation process and a yield of 85% of surfactant was achieved. The synthesized surfactant successfully lowered down the IFT between CO2/brine to 1.93 mN/m. This surfactant has a great potential to be used for CO2-EOR applications.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)463-470
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Dispersion Science and Technology
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014

Keywords

  • EOR
  • interfacial tension
  • kinetics
  • surfactants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Polymers and Plastics

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