Synthesis, characterization and emulsification properties of an amphiphilic copolymer for enhanced oil recovery

The present work was aimed at developing a copolymer oil-displacing agent for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).A novel amphiphilic polymer, AAO, was synthesized by radical copolymerization of acrylamide(AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), and an amphiphilic monomer (OPMA),using 2,2'-Azobis (2-methylpropionamide ) dihydrochloride (AIBA ) as initiator. The structure of the sample was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FIIR). The surface / interface tension of AAO aqueous solutions was measured with surface / interface tensiometer. The viscometer was used to measure the apparent viscosity. The emulsifying capacity was researched by drainage rate, microscopy and particle size analyser. The results show that AAO has strong emulsification ability, good surface/interface activity, and thickening property. The emulsion consisting of AAO aqueous solution and cyclohexane was much more stable than that of HPAM (partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide) which was widely used in EOR. (paper)