The switchable surfactants are molecules that can be reversibly converted between surface active and

inactive forms by application of triggers. The switchable property of a surfactant could be favourable
both in terms of environmental and economical aspects due to the possibility of recovering and reusing
the compounds in different beneficial applications.

Switchable surfactants can be reversible converted between active and inactive form upon application
of a trigger or disposal of the present trigger. The trigger is a substance that is used to switch the
molecule can vary depending on the area of application. These triggers can be CO2 , air,
oxidation/reduction cycles, and photochemistry. The cost and safety of triggers have to be taken into
account when choosing the type of reagent.

One important application for switchable surfactants is in the oil industry is the development of
switchable surfactants with active forms in the reservoirs and inactive forms in the central treating
stations.

In the reservoir, the surfactant is active and hence it emulsifies the residual oil in reservoir and
decreases its interfacial tension and consequently improves oil recovery.

At the treating station the crude oil is de-emulsified by switching the surfactant off using the suitable
trigger to switch it to be inactive inorder to separate oil from water.

One example for this is ASP Switchable Surfactant for Daqing oilfield.

A feasibility study of ASP switchable surfactant for Daqing oilfield was carried out. A long-chain
alkylamine was employed as the switchable surfactant and CO2/N2 were triggers.

This alkylamine surfactant was exposed to CO2 to produce the mono-carbamate form, afterwards the
carbamate was exposed to N2 in order to revert it to the original amine form.

The reversibility of the conversion from alkylamine to carbamate form was demonstrated by bubbling
CO2 followed by N2 through solutions and measuring the change in conductivity of the solution. The
conductivity decreased almost immediately when CO2 was bubbled through the solution and increased
again when sparged with N2.
With this property, this surfactant can be used to emulsify reservoir hydrocarbons then at the treatment
station we can switch off its function by using CO2 as a trigger material.

Another major application for switchable surfactants is Switchable amine Surfactants for CO2 Enhanced
Oil Recovery.

To improve sweep efficiency for carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced oil recovery (EOR) foams have been
formed with surfactants composed of ethoxylated amine headgroups with cocoalkyl tails.

Because of the low density and low viscosity of CO2, as well as heterogeneity in reservoirs, the sweep
efficiency can be limited by CO2 gravity override, viscous fingering, and channeling through high-
permeability regions.

The sweep efficiency can be improved by forming foams that also may be considered C/W emulsions
given the moderate CO2 density and substantial solvent strength of CO2.The foam can stabilize the
displacement front in CO2- flooded zones and gives high mobility control.
Three conditions must be satisfied with the surfactant so as to give better sweep efficiency.

1. The surfactants must be soluble in CO2 and stabilize C/W foams in the presence of concentrated
brine.

2. Also, foam must be stable and viscous to enhance mobility control.

3. Additionally, the surfactant structure is optimized to minimize adsorption on limestone.

Unfortunately these three conditions can not be satisfied by one traditional surfactant.
The first condition condition (solubility in CO2) can be satisfied by a surfactant type known as nonionic
surfactant.

The last two conditions (stable foam & adsorbtion resistance) can be satisfied by another surfactant
known as cationic surfactant.

These two surfactant can not be injected together, However we can inject a switchable surfactant that
switches from nonionic to cationic surfactant upon reservoir conditions(presence of brine and high
tempreture) which represent the trigger.
 Switchable Surfactants

A brief review on:

 The definition and mechanism of work concerning switchable surfactants.

 The application of switchable surfactants in enhanced oil recovery.
 Actual case studies focusing on the effect of switchable surfactants on
improving sweep efficiency and increasing oil recovery.

NAME : Mohammed Sabry Abbas

NUMBER : 14168

SECTION : 4

Supervised by:
Professor Dr. Ahmed El gibaly