Abstract:

The effects of various factors on rheological properties of wormlike micelles formed by sodium carboxylate, namely sodium oleate (NaOA) aqueous solution in the presence of trisodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄) were investigated. These factors include temperature, alcohols, alkane, inorganic salts, the mineralization of oil field water and polymes, which are frequently encounteredin the oilfield development process. The rheological properties of wormlike micelles, such as zero shear viscosity and shear activation energy were analyzed and explained. These studies provide the basis of applications of wormlike micelles to oilfields.
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Key words: wormlike micelles; rheological properties; sodium oleate; trisodium phosphate