Effects of ultrasonic waves on the interfacial forces between oil and water.
The effect of ultrasound on flow through a capillary using the pendant drop method was investigated. Water was injected into a 0.1 mm Hastelloy C-276 capillary tube submersed into several mineral oils with different viscosity, and kerosene. The average drop rate per minute was measured at several ultrasonic intensities. We observed that there exists a peak drop rate at a characteristic intensity, which strongly depends on oil viscosity and the interfacial tension between water and the oil. The semi-quantitative results reveal that the remarkable change in the interfacial forces between oil and water could be the explanation to the enhancement of oil recovery when the ultrasonic waves are applied.
Hamida
Tarek
T
University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Mining and Petroleum, 3-112 Markin CNRL-NREF, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2W2.
Babadagli
Tayfun
T
University of Alberta, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Mining and Petroleum, 3-112 Markin CNRL-NREF, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2W2. Electronic address: tayfun@ualberta.ca.
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007648:Kerosene / Q000528:radiation effects; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013500:Surface Tension; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007648:Kerosene; D009821:Oils; D014867:Water; D008899:Mineral Oil