Physiochemical analysis of titanium dioxide and polyacrylamide nanofluid for enhanced oil recovery at low salinity

Nanofluids have been extensively applied in reservoirs to improve hydrocarbons recovery. An experimental investigation of nanofluids prepared with titanium dioxide nanoparticles with polyacrylamide at low salinity (NaCl 0.50 wt%) was conducted to study the value addition they bring to Enhanced Oil Recovery Process. Characterization was performed in terms of sedimentation, effect of pH, morphology with EDS, FTIR and XRD to better understand the nanofluids. The effect by varying concentrations of TiO2 was studied in brine solutions. Precisely, three different concentrations of nanoparticles (0.1, 0.20 and 0.30 wt%) were used in various brine solutions, under fixed salt concentration of 1.0 wt% each, whereas PAM (Polyacrylamide) polymer was utilized in concentrations of 0.10–0.40 wt%. The microstructure of TiO2 along with elemental analysis was performed. In addition, analytical techniques FTIR and XRD was performed to better understand the TiO2. Moreover, sedimentation was observed in all solutions, which mark sufficient time for sedimentation that was observed 72 h. In addition, effect of salt on pH, TDS and viscosity was analyzed. Optimized concentration of nanofluids (PAM 0.40 wt% and TiO2 0.20 wt%) was obtained for application in low salinity reservoirs.