Surface Forces and Wetability

A fundamental understanding of the wettability of rock surfaces by crude oil and brine requires a good description of the interactions between the different materials. This aim was to measure those interactions and to establish their implications on the observed wetting behavior.

Probing Molecular Interactions of Asphaltenes in Heptol Using a Surface Forces Apparatus: Implications on Stability of Water-in-Oil Emulsions

These results provide insights into the fundamental understanding of molecular interaction mechanisms of asphaltenes in organic solvents and stabilization/destabilization behaviors of water-in-oil emulsions with asphaltenes.

Intermolecular and Surface Forces at Solid/Oil/Water/Gas Interfaces in Petroleum Production

Interaction forces between petroleum components (e.g., asphaltenes) and mineral solids in both organic solvents and aqueous solutions are reviewed and correlated to the wettability change of the reservoir solids.

Effects of Salinity on Oil Recovery (The “Dilution Effect”)

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the “dilution effect”, where dilution of the ionic concentration of the fluid injected into oil wells has been found to enhance oil recovery.

Fundamental Studies of Crude Oil-Surface Water Interactions and its Relationship to Reservoir Wettability

It is shown that in addition to van der Waals and electrostatic forces (included in the DLVO theory), polymer-like interactions of adsorbed asphaltene layers are involved in the overall process. It was further established that the concept of an intrinsically oil-wet or water-wet surface or reservoir cannot, in general, be correct: depending on the nature of the oil and brine, different species in a crude oil will adsorb on the mineral surfaces and at the oil-water interface, thereby determining the wetting behavior of a reservoir or rock.

Direct Measurements of Interactions and Viscosity of Crude Oils in Thin Films Between Model Clay Surfaces

These findings should have a direct bearing on the theory and practice of EOR technology, and in particular they indicate that pure hydrocarbons such as alkanes are poor models for naturally occurring crude oils.

In situ nano- to microscopic imaging and growth meachanism of electrochemical dissolution (e.g., corrosion) of a confined metal surface

This research into real-time, micro- and nanoscale mechanisms of corrosion provides valuable information that scientists can build upon, which may lead to models and predictions of how and when materials in confined spaces are likely to corrode.

These front-covers are either based on measurements taken using a Surface Force Apparatus (SFA), refer to the historical role SFAs have played in the direct measurement of oscillatory structural forces, or support data taken using an SFA through additional simulation and analysis.

Interested in meeting the SurForce team in person? Click here to schedule a time to meet with us.

Jacob’s ACS talks:
WHEN: 3 April, 4:05PM, Moscone Center RM2001
SESSION: Interfacial Phenomena & the Oil-Water Interface
​TITLE: Effects of salinity on oil recovery: Experimental and theoretical studies of crude oil water-calcite surface restricting and associated physical and (electro)chemical interactions.

WHEN: 4 April, 8:30AM, Moscone Center RM2001
SESSION: Chemistry and Physics of Tribology
TITLE: Friction and lubrication from the nano (molecular) through the micro (μm-mm) to the macro (geological) scales, and over large time and velocity scales.