Studies of synergism/antagonism for lowering dynamic interfacial tensions in surfactant/alkali/acidic oil systems. 1. Synergism/Antagonism in surfactant/model oil systems

Experimental studies are conducted in order to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for synergism/antagonism for lowering dynamic interfacial tension in model oil/surfactant/brine systems. A well-defined model oil is selected for controlled design of experiments, thus enhancing verification of known and unknown mechanisms. The systems examined contain model oils and two petroleum sulfonate solutions. The influence of additives in oil phase, such as carboxylic acids with different chain length, n-octadecanol, and oil soluble surfactant SP-60, on the equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN) values has been examined. The interfacial tensions of different model oils with different EACN values against surfactant solutions with different n(min) values have also been obtained. We find that antagonism has been observed when EACN/n(min) value is far from unity by adding organic components, while synergism has been observed when EACN/n(min) value is close to unity. The results present here suggest that organic additives in oil phase controlled interfacial tension by changing the partition of surfactants in oil phase, aqueous phase, and interface.