Silica aerogel nanoparticle-stabilized flue gas foams for simultaneous CO2 sequestration and enhanced heavy oil recovery

With declining conventional reserves, tapping heavy oils generates substantial emissions yet is essential to meet energy demands. This study pioneers an integrated approach using silica aerogels to develop thermally stable flue gas foams for enhanced CO2 sequestration and heavy oil recovery. Microfluidic experiments and molecular dynamics simulations revealed a 5-fold decrease in gas diffusion rates for aerogel-stabilized versus pure surfactant foams at 95 degrees C due to the ultralow thermal conductivity of the nanoparticle coating layer. The thermally stable nanoengineered foams demonstrated a remarkable 81.23% CO2 trapping efficiency in heterogeneous cores, surpassing conventional flue gas foam. Additionally, three-dimensional simulations in an oil reservoir model showed improved vertical conformance and oil recovery with aerogel-stabilized foam. The exceptional insulating properties redirected heat downward to enhance sweep efficiency. This novel concept transforms flue gas emissions into value-added foams for concurrent environmental and productivity benefits during heavy oil development.