Spontaneous imbibition experiments for enhanced oil recovery with silica nanosols

Experimental oil displacement as a result of spontaneous imbibition of silica nanosols has been carried out using two types of sandstone as the reservoir rock. The permeability of the cores ranged from 0.34 to 333 mD, while the porosity was 11% and 22%, respectively. During the research, the influence of the concentration and nanoparticle size, as well as the permeability of the rock, on the process of spontaneous imbibition, was studied. Silica nanosols were considered as an object of study. The nanoparticle size ranged from 10 to 35 nm. The mass concentration of nanoparticles varied from 0.01% to 0.25%. It was found that the use of silica nanosols significantly increases the rate of the spontaneous imbibition process. It was established that a silica nanosol with a nanoparticle size of 10 nm and a concentration of 0.25% allows to displace more than six times oil compared to the reservoir water model in the same time. As a result, it was shown that the oil displacement efficiency and the efficiency of spontaneous imbibition increase along with an increase in the nanoparticle concentration and a decrease in the nanoparticle size.Document Type: Original articleCited as: Pryazhnikov, M. I., Zhigarev, V. A., Minakov, A. V., Nemtsev, I. V. Spontaneous imbibition experiments for enhanced oil recovery with silica nanosols. Capillarity, 2024, 10(3): 73-86. https://doi.org/10.46690/capi.2024.03.0

Study of Colloidal Stability and Viscosity of Concentrated Aqueous Silicasols

Проведено исследование коллоидной устойчивости наносуспензий, полученных разбавлением концентрированных силиказолей. Рассмотрен широкий диапазон массовых концентраций наночастиц (от 1 до 50 масс.%) и средних размеров первичных частиц (от 10 до 35 нм). Анализ седиментационных экспериментов показал, что рассмотренные образцы обладают очень высокой коллоидной устойчивостью. Проведена характеризация размеров наночастиц с помощью электронной микроскопии, получены распределения частиц по размерам в суспензии методом акустической спектроскопии. В результате было показано, что почти все рассматриваемые силиказоли имеют очень узкое распределение частиц по размеру. Получены зависимости динамической вязкости наносуспензий от концентрации и размера наночастиц. На их основе построены эмпирические корреляции в широком диапазоне концентраций частицA study of the colloidal stability of nanosuspensions obtained by diluting concentrated silicasols was carried out. A wide range of mass concentrations of nanoparticles (from 1 to 50 wt.%) and average sizes of primary particles (from 10 to 35 nm) were considered. The analysis of sedimentation experiments showed that the considered samples have a very high colloidal stability. The characterization of the nanoparticle sizes by electron microscopy was carried out. The particle size distributions in the suspension were obtained by acoustic spectroscopy. Almost all of the considered silica sols have been shown to have a very narrow particle size distribution. The dependences of the dynamic viscosity of nanosuspensions on the concentration and size of nanoparticles are obtained. Based on the dependences, empirical correlations in a wide range of particle concentrations were obtaine

Синтез опалов из частиц полиметилметакрилата в дисперсионных средах с различной вязкостью

The article was prepared based on the materials of the report at the first All-Russian scientific conference with international participation "YENISEI PHOTONICS – 2020". Photonic crystals are structures that have a spatial architecture with a periodically changing complex dielectric function at scales comparable to the wavelengths of light in the visible frequency range. The purpose of this study is to obtain three-dimensional photonic crystals by self-assembly from submicron spherical monodisperse particles of polymethylmethacrylate in dispersion media with different viscositiesФотонные кристаллы — это структуры, которые имеют пространственную архитектуру с периодически изменяющейся сложной диэлектрической функцией в масштабах, сопоставимых с длинами волн света в видимом диапазоне частот. Целью данной работы является получение трёхмерных фотонных кристаллов путём самосборки из субмикронных сферических монодисперсных частиц полиметилметакрилата в дисперсных средах с различной вязкость

Production and Properties of Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoates Synthesized from Hydrolysates of Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers and Vegetative Biomass

One of the major challenges in PHA biotechnology is optimization of biotechnological processes of the entire synthesis, mainly by using new inexpensive carbon substrates. A promising substrate for PHA synthesis may be the sugars extracted from the Jerusalem artichoke. In the present study, hydrolysates of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) tubers and vegetative biomass were produced and used as carbon substrate for PHA synthesis. The hydrolysis procedure (the combination of aqueous extraction and acid hydrolysis, process temperature and duration) influenced the content of reducing substances (RS), monosaccharide contents, and the fructose/glucose ratio. All types of hydrolysates tested as substrates for cultivation of three strains—C. necator B-10646 and R. eutropha B 5786 and B 8562—were suitable for PHA synthesis, producing different biomass concentrations and polymer contents. The most productive process, conducted in 12-L fermenters, was achieved on hydrolysates of JA tubers (X = 66.9 g/L, 82% PHA) and vegetative biomass (55.1 g/L and 62% PHA) produced by aqueous extraction of sugars at 80 °C followed by acid hydrolysis at 60 °C, using the most productive strain, C. necator B-10646. The effects of JA hydrolysates on physicochemical properties of PHAs were studied for the first time. P(3HB) specimens synthesized from the JA hydrolysates, regardless of the source (tubers or vegetative biomass), hydrolysis conditions, and PHA producing strain employed, exhibited the 100–120 °C difference between the Tmelt and Tdegr, prevailing of the crystalline phase over the amorphous one (Cx between 69 and 75%), and variations in weight average molecular weight (409–480) kDa. Supplementation of the culture medium of C. necator B-10646 grown on JA hydrolysates with potassium valerate and ε-caprolactone resulted in the synthesis of P(3HB-co-3HV) and P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymers that had decreased degrees of crystallinity and molecular weights, which influenced the porosity and surface roughness of polymer films prepared from them. The study shows that JA hydrolysates used as carbon source enabled productive synthesis of PHAs, comparable to synthesis from pure sugars. The next step is to scale up PHA synthesis from JA hydrolysates and conduct the feasibility study. The present study contributes to the solution of the critical problem of PHA biotechnology—finding widely available and inexpensive substrates

Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates Formed by 3- and 4-Hydroxybutyrate Monomers to Produce Nanomembranes Suitable for Drug Delivery and Cell Culture

Biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates, biopolymers of microbiological origin, formed by 3- and 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers P(3HB-co-4HB), were used to obtain nanomembranes loaded with drugs as cell carriers by electrospinning. Resorbable non-woven membranes from P(3HB-co-4HB) loaded with ceftazidime, doripinem, and actovegin have been obtained. The loading of membranes with drugs differently affected the size of fibers and the structure of membranes, and in all cases increased the hydrophilicity of the surface. The release of drugs in vitro was gradual, which corresponded to the Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models. Antibiotic-loaded membranes showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli, in which growth inhibition zones were 41.7 ± 1.1 and 38.6 ± 1.7 mm for ceftazidime and doripinem, respectively. The study of the biological activity of membranes in the NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast culture based on the results of DAPI and FITC staining of cells, as well as the MTT test, did not reveal a negative effect despite the presence of antibiotics in them. Samples containing actovegin exhibit a stimulating effect on fibroblasts. Biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates formed by 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers provide electrospinning non-woven membranes suitable for long-term delivery of drugs and cultivation of eukaryotic cells, and are promising for the treatment of wound defects complicated by infection

Тепловые и механические свойства биокомпозита на основе поли-3-гидроксибутирата и бионаполнителя

Biodegradable poly-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] and birch wood flour (as filler) were used to prepare powdered blends and then pellets and granules. Pellets were produced by cold pressing of polymer and filler powders; granules were produced from the powders wetted with ethanol. The properties of the initial P(3HB) and filler and the blends thereof were studied using IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray analysis, and electron microscopy. No chemical bonds between the components were revealed; the blends were physical mixtures. The degree of crystallinity of the blends was lower than that of the initial polymer, suggesting different crystallization kinetics of the blends. The introduction of increasing amounts of filler into the polymer progressively decreased the mechanical strength of the pellets, as confirmed by a decrease in Young’s modulus. The resulting composite, based on biodegradable polymers and wood flour, is a promising nontoxic material for the production of wood-based panels for the construction industry and the manufacture of furniture in place of materials produced using toxic polyester resinsБиоразлагаемый поли-3-гидроксибутират [P(3HB)] и березовые опилки (в качестве наполнителя) использованы для приготовления порошкообразных смесей с целью получения форм в виде гранул и таблеток. Таблетки получены прямым холодным прессованием порошков полимера и наполнителя, гранулы – техникой гранулирования из пасты смеси полимера с опилками, увлажненной этанолом. Свойства исходного полимера, наполнителя и полученных смесей изучены с помощью ИК-спектроскопии, дифференциальной сканирующей калориметрии, рентгенографии и электронной микроскопии. Химических связей между компонентами обнаружено не было, следовательно, эти смеси представляют собой физические смеси. Степень кристалличности смесей была ниже, чем у исходного полимера, что свидетельствует о различной кинетике кристаллизации смесей. Увеличение содержания наполнителя в полимере снижало механическую прочность. Полученный на основе биоразлагаемого полимера и опилок композит имеет перспективу в качестве нетоксичного материала для производства древесных плит для стройиндустрии и мебельной промышленности вместо материалов, изготовленных с использованием токсичных полиэфирных смо

Laser Processing of Polymer Films Fabricated from PHAs Differing in Their Monomer Composition

The study reports results of using a CO2-laser in continuous wave (3 W; 2 m/s) and quasi-pulsed (13.5 W; 1 m/s) modes to treat films prepared by solvent casting technique from four types of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), namely poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and three copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate: with 4-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, and 3-hydroxyhexanoate (each second monomer constituting about 30 mol.%). The PHAs differed in their thermal and molecular weight properties and degree of crystallinity. Pristine films differed in porosity, hydrophilicity, and roughness parameters. The two modes of laser treatment altered these parameters and biocompatibility in diverse ways. Films of P(3HB) had water contact angle and surface energy of 92° and 30.8 mN/m, respectively, and average roughness of 144 nm. The water contact angle of copolymer films decreased to 80–56° and surface energy and roughness increased to 41–57 mN/m and 172–290 nm, respectively. Treatment in either mode resulted in different modifications of the films, depending on their composition and irradiation mode. Laser-treated P(3HB) films exhibited a decrease in water contact angle, which was more considerable after the treatment in the quasi-pulsed mode. Roughness parameters were changed by the treatment in both modes. Continuous wave line-by-line irradiation caused formation of sintered grooves on the film surface, which exhibited some change in water contact angle (76–80°) and reduced roughness parameters (to 40–45 mN/m) for most films. Treatment in the quasi-pulsed raster mode resulted in the formation of pits with no pronounced sintered regions on the film surface, a more considerably decreased water contact angle (to 67–76°), and increased roughness of most specimens. Colorimetric assay for assessing cell metabolic activity (MTT) in NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast culture showed that the number of fibroblasts on the films treated in the continuous wave mode was somewhat lower; treatment in quasi-pulsed radiation mode caused an increase in the number of viable cells by a factor of 1.26 to 1.76, depending on PHA composition. This is an important result, offering an opportunity of targeted surface modification of PHA products aimed at preventing or facilitating cell attachment

Biodegradation of microbial plastic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in soil ecosystems at different latitudes

The features of the degradation of the ''green'' plastic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] in the soil of various geographical regions were studied: in red ferralitic soil under tropical conditions (Kerala, India) and in chernozem soil under conditions of a sharply continental climate (Eastern Siberia, Russia). Significant differences in the chemical composition, temperature, and humidity of the studied soils were revealed. The number of bacteria and mycelial fungi in the Siberian chernozem was higher than in the red soil of India, from 2-3 to 10 or more times. The degradation of P(3HB) films in the chernozem occurred faster than in the red soil, which was drier, with a low content of humus and minerals, and fewer microorganisms than the chernozem. The half-life of polymer samples in Siberia and India was 64.8 and 126.4 days, respectively. During degradation, a decrease in the molecular weight and an increase in the degree of crystallinity of polymer samples were revealed, which indicates a more active biodegradation of the amorphous phase of the polymer by soil microorganisms. The primary degraders of the polymer have been isolated and identified, and it has been shown that the complexes of degrading bacteria and fungi in different types of soils did not have common species. Despite the presence of species with pronounced depolymerase activity, the rate of film degradation in red ferralitic soils was slowed down by unfavorable environmental conditions. The obtained results confirm the importance of studying the process of PHA degradation in natural conditions

Cu-Doped TiNxOy Thin Film Resistors DC/RF Performance and Reliability

We fabricated Cu-doped TiNxOy thin film resistors by using atomic layer deposition, optical lithography, dry etching, Ti/Cu/Ti/Au e-beam evaporation and lift-off processes. The results of the measurements of the resistance temperature dependence, non-linearity, S-parameters at 0.01–26 GHz and details of the breakdown mechanism under high-voltage stress are reported. The devices’ sheet resistance is 220 ± 8 Ω/□ (480 ± 20 µΩ*cm); intrinsic resistance temperature coefficient (TCR) is ~400 ppm/°C in the T-range of 10–300 K; and S-parameters versus frequency are flat up to 2 GHz with maximum variation of 10% at 26 GHz. The resistors can sustain power and current densities up to ~5 kW*cm−2 and ~2 MA*cm−2, above which they switch to high-resistance state with the sheet resistance equal to ~200 kΩ/□ (~0.4 Ω*cm) caused by nitrogen and copper desorption from TiNxOy film. The Cu/Ti/TiNxOy contact is prone to ageing due to gradual titanium oxidation while the TiNxOy resistor body is stable. The resistors have strong potential for applications in high-frequency integrated and hybrid circuits that require small-footprint, medium-range resistors of 0.05–10 kΩ, with small TCR and high-power handling capability

Biosynthesis and Properties of a P(3HB-<i>co</i>-3HV-<i>co</i>-4HV) Produced by <i>Cupriavidus necator</i> B-10646

Synthesis of P(3HB-co-3HV-co-4HV) copolymers by the wild-type strain Cupriavidus necator B-10646 on fructose or sodium butyrate as the main C-substrate with the addition of γ-valerolactone as a precursor of 3HV and 4HV monomers was studied. Bacterial cells were cultivated in the modes that enabled production of a series of copolymers with molar fractions of 3HV (from 7.3 to 23.4 mol.%) and 4HV (from 1.9 to 4.7 mol.%) with bacterial biomass concentration (8.2 ± 0.2 g/L) and PHA content (80 ± 2%). Using HPLC, DTA, DSC, X-Ray, SEM, and AFM, the physicochemical properties of copolymers and films prepared from them have been investigated as dependent on proportions of monomers. Copolymers are characterized by a reduced degree of crystallinity (Cx 38–49%) molecular weight characteristics Mn (45–87 kDa), and Mw (201–248 kDa) compared with P(3HB). The properties of the films surface of various composition including the porosity and surface roughness were studied. Most of the samples showed a decrease in the average pore area and an increase in their number with a total increase in 3HV and 4HV monomers. The results allow scaling up the productive synthesis of P(3HB-co-3HV-co-4HV) copolymers using Cupriavidus necator B-10646