Mobilization of n-hexadecane in porous media using food grade amphiphiles.

Graphical abstract Abstract A model liquid hydrocarbon (n-hexadecane) was used to gain insight on the mobilization of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) trapped in porous formations, important for both enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and oil spill remediation in porous media. Food-grade surfactants lecithin from soy and tween 80 were compared to commercial dispersant Corexit 9500A, for their ability to mobilize the hydrocarbon originally trapped in a water-filled cryolite porous medium. Red dye was added to the n-Hexadecane to improve visualization, and the aqueous phase incorporated different ratios of the surfactants Lecithin and Tween 80 to seek synergistic benefits when the two surfactants are combined. Visual-microscopic flooding experiments carried on a miniature packed bed produced images which were then analyzed using grayscale image analysis. It was determined that a ratio 40:60 by weight of Lecithin to Tween 80 has the best performance in the mobilization of n-hexadecane from the porous media. Furthermore, any (non-optimal) mixture of lecithin and tween 80 exhibited a better (synergistic) performance in n-Hexadecane recovery from the porous media than when applying either surfactant separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]