To better compare the effects of adding surfactant and nanoparticles, it was necessary to investigate the rheological properties of crude oil initially. For this purpose, properties such as the density, interfacial tension, and viscosity at temperatures close to crude oil’s wellhead outlet temperature, typically between 40°C and 100°C (the highest possible temperature), were measured. First, the shear stress of crude oil was measured by introducing varying levels of velocity gradient to the fluid at three distinct temperatures, including 40, 60, and 80°C. It was essential to determine whether crude oil exhibited Newtonian or non-Newtonian behavior. According to the obtained results, illustrated in Fig. 2, it was apprehended that as the shear rate was elevated, the shear stress exhibited a nearly linear progression. This consistent relationship between shear stress and shear rate suggested that the fluid’s behavior aligned with the characteristics of a Newtonian fluid.
Following that, the same processes were replicated using crude oil containing MWCNTs and SDS at different ratios, including 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. The obtained results were then compared to crude oil.
3.1 Viscosity
Multidimensional analysis is imperative to comprehensively examine the impact of viscosity enhancement and assess its beneficial or detrimental effects. Firstly, attention must be directed towards the application of this mixture in the EOR process, either prior to or following the extraction stage. During the EOR phase, during the flooding process, increased viscosity is essential for facilitating optimal displacement of the base fluid and minimizing deviation from the predetermined trajectory. In the subsequent injection phase, which encompasses preliminary purification for desalination units, an inappropriate viscosity increase would lead to undesirable consequences, including escalated pumping costs. Nevertheless, the viscosity augmentation can be mitigated if employed as a chemical agent to mitigate the solubilized components in the crude oil. This is particularly relevant when weighed against the potential enhancement of certain thermophysical properties. A comparative analysis of these factors is essential to attain the most favorable outcome. Hence, the viscosity of the crude oil and surfactant-containing nanofluids were investigated and calculated; the acquired data are provided in Fig. 3.
As it is apprehended, the viscosity at lower temperatures was higher than at elevated temperatures due to the fact that at lower temperatures, the molecules in a fluid tend to have less kinetic energy and move more slowly. In addition, intermolecular forces, such as Van der Waals forces, become more pronounced at lower temperatures, which causes molecules to attract each other and resist movement. The viscosity fluctuations for crude oil across all samples were minimal, and the slopes obtained for each sample displayed a very shallow incline. This confirmed the crude oil’s adherence to Newtonian behavior. The most noticeable fluctuations in the case of crude oil occurred within the shear rate range of 10 to 50 1/s. These variations could potentially be attributed to factors such as measurement inaccuracies, impurities in the samples, the presence of aggregates, and transient phenomena.
Furthermore, while not entirely departing from Newtonian characteristics, certain fluids might exhibit slight shear-thinning or shear-thickening tendencies within specific shear rate intervals. This can lead to minor viscosity deviations within that range while still predominantly exhibiting Newtonian fluid traits. Another influencing factor could be the occurrence of viscosity gradients at extremely low shear rates, particularly around the transition zone between laminar and stagnant flow conditions. These gradients might arise due to effects like wall interactions or particle settling within the fluid. Such gradients have the potential to impact the measured viscosity values [57–59].
The addition of MWCNTs and surfactants into crude oil resulted in an elevation of the base fluid’s viscosity. In the case of 40°C, the viscosity of 2:1 and 1:1 ratio was nearly the same and enhanced by 190% and 182% relative to crude oil, respectively. Meanwhile, adding a 1:2 ratio of MWCNTs to surfactant increased the viscosity by 128%. In the 2:1 ratio, the higher MWCNT concentration could foster a densely connected network within the fluid, yielding a slightly greater viscosity than the 1:1 ratio. Yet, excessive MWCNTs might cause aggregation, lessening the overall viscosity change compared to 1:1. The 1:1 ratio balances MWCNTs and SDS, likely allowing a uniform dispersion due to SDS’s stabilizing effect. This promotes effective network formation and, though slightly less than 2:1 due to fewer MWCNTs, still raises viscosity. The 1:2 ratio, favoring SDS, might hinder network formation due to fewer MWCNTs, resulting in a less connected structure and lower viscosity increase compared to other ratios. Overall, all ratios significantly raised viscosity due to the altered interactions among MWCNTs, SDS, and crude oil. The average viscosities of crude oil, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 ratio of nanofluids were 4.79, 10.92, 13.51, and 13.87 mPa.s, sequentially.
Considering the obtained results for 60°C, at lower shear rates (up to 23 1/s), the 1:2 ratio displayed higher viscosity, likely due to the higher SDS concentration enhancing MWCNT dispersion and interaction with the fluid. However, at higher shear rates (beyond 76 1/s), the 2:1 ratio showed higher viscosity, suggesting that the greater MWCNT concentration resulted in a more resistant network under shear forces. Despite these fluctuations, overall differences were minimal, highlighting the consistent effect of additives on viscosity. The notable viscosity increase (95%, 88%, and 89% for 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 ratios) underscored the joint impact of MWCNT network formation and SDS-fluid interactions. In sequence, the mean viscosities for crude oil and the nanofluid ratios 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 were 4.708, 7.96, 7.66, and 7.70 mPa.s.
At a temperature of 80°C, the viscosity of the 1:1 ratio nanofluid displayed slightly higher viscosity than the 2:1 ratio counterpart, while the 1:2 ratio nanofluid exhibited lower viscosity compared to both other nanofluids. It is worth noting that the crude oil exhibited the lowest viscosity among all the samples. The measured viscosity of the nanofluids at ratios 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 was 5.04, 6.81, and 6.37 mPa.s, respectively. These corresponded to average increases in viscosity of 67%, 125%, and 111%, respectively. In the 1:1 ratio, the balanced presence of MWCNTs and SDS likely resulted in effective dispersion and interaction, leading to slightly higher viscosity than in the 2:1 ratio. The 1:2 ratio, which was skewed toward excess SDS, might have disrupted network formation, resulting in lower viscosity compared to other nanofluids. The intrinsic simplicity of the crude oil’s composition contributed to its lower viscosity. The notable viscosity increases in nanofluids reflected MWCNT entanglement and SDS interactions, collectively influencing internal structure and flow resistance.
3.2 Density
Figure 4 depicts the alterations in density observed in crude oil and all the prepared nanofluids across temperatures of 40, 60, and 80°C. A constant temperature was maintained throughout the calculation phase to ensure experimental consistency, with the apparatus providing averaged computed data at designated temporal intervals. In concurrence with anticipated outcomes, elevation in temperature correlated with a reduction in density. At lower temperatures, the molecules in the fluid have less kinetic energy, causing them to move more sluggishly and be positioned closer together. This results in a higher mass of molecules within a given volume, leading to a higher density. Besides, the outcomes indicated that, at each constant temperature, the density exhibited a slight increase over time. This phenomenon can be elucidated by considering the molecular interactions within the crude oil. At the commencement of the experiment, the fluid’s molecules possess a degree of random kinetic energy and distribution, leading to a certain initial density. As time advances, intermolecular forces and interactions come into play. These interactions encourage molecular clustering and gradual organization over time. The effect of these interactions becomes more pronounced over extended periods, leading to a denser arrangement of molecules. This aggregation of molecules culminates in a higher density, even while the temperature remains stable. Therefore, the observed gradual density increases over time, despite the constant temperature, can be attributed to the progressive development of molecular arrangements and associations within the crude oil [23]. The average density of the crude oil at 40, 60, and 80°C were 0.8369, 0.8305, and 0.8252 g/ml, correspondingly. The density reduction from 40°C to 60°C was just under 1%, while at 80°C, it amounted to a 2% decrease. Fluids generally exhibit only minor density fluctuations at lower temperatures, a fact that has been corroborated by experimental findings.
At a temperature of 40°C, it was observed that nanofluids possessing a 2:1 ratio and a 1:2 ratio exhibited remarkably similar average densities, both measuring around 0.855 g/ml. This could be due to a combination of factors: the nanoparticles might have contributed to an increase in the effective mass of the mixture, thereby counteracting any possible decrease in density caused by the presence of the nanoparticles. Additionally, the nanoparticles could have altered the intermolecular forces within the mixture, resulting in a denser overall configuration. Conversely, the nanofluid characterized by a 1:1 ratio displayed a slightly lower average density of 0.851 g/ml in comparison to the former two. Notably, all the nanofluids showcased densities exceeding that of crude oil, implying their potential for various applications. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between nanoparticle concentrations and resulting nanofluid densities, offering valuable insights for optimizing nanofluid formulations in diverse engineering and industrial contexts. This outcome might arise from a delicate equilibrium between the nanoparticles and the base fluid. An even distribution of nanoparticles might lead to better dispersion and less agglomeration, which in turn could lead to a more homogenous mixture and potentially a more efficient packing arrangement. This improved packing could reduce the overall volume occupied by the mixture, thus causing a slight decrease in density.
Furthermore, the nanoparticles’ size, shape, and surface properties can influence their dispersion within the fluid, affecting the overall density. In the case of the 1:1 ratio, it is possible that the nanoparticles’ characteristics or the specific interactions between nanoparticles and the base fluid led to a different arrangement that impacted the density. When contrasting all the samples with crude oil, the densities of nanofluids with MWCNTs: SDS ratios of 1:2, 2:1, and 1:1 exhibited increments of 2.2%, 2.1%, and 1.7%, respectively.
In the case of density measurement at a temperature of 60°C, the densities of the tested materials followed a descending order: 2:1 ratio nanofluid, 1:2 ratio nanofluid, 1:1 ratio nanofluid, and finally crude oil. Notably, a remarkable similarity was observed between the densities of crude oil and the nanofluid with a 1:1 ratio. In terms of specific values, the mean recorded density for the nanofluid with a 2:1 ratio was 0.833 mg/l, representing a percentage enhancement of 0.41%. Similarly, the nanofluid with a 1:1 ratio had a mean density of 0.831 mg/l, accompanied by a 0.18% enhancement. The nanofluid with a 1:2 ratio exhibited the highest mean density among the three nanofluids, measuring 0.838 mg/l with a 0.95% enhancement. Starting with the observation that the nanofluid with a 2:1 ratio had the highest density; this result can be attributed to the higher concentration of MWCNTs relative to SDS in the 2:1 ratio. The abundance of MWCNTs contributes more mass to the mixture, leading to an overall increase in density.
Furthermore, the elevated concentration of MWCNTs might enhance inter-particle interactions and promote a denser packing arrangement, further elevating the density of the nanofluid. Moving on to the comparison between the 1:2 and 1:1 ratios, the former displayed a higher density. This phenomenon could be justified by the larger proportion of MWCNTs relative to SDS in the 1:2 ratio. The increased concentration of MWCNTs leads to stronger nanoparticle interactions within the fluid, resulting in more significant intermolecular forces contributing to a denser overall structure. The packing of nanoparticles in this configuration could also be more efficient due to the higher concentration of MWCNTs, further driving the higher density. The intriguing similarity in density between crude oil and the nanofluid with a 1:1 ratio can be explained by the balanced composition of this nanofluid. The 1:1 ratio signifies an equilibrium between MWCNTs and SDS. In this equilibrium, the dispersion of nanoparticles is likely more uniform due to the balanced ratio, yet the interactions and packing arrangement might not be as conducive to density enhancement. As a result, the density of the nanofluid with a 1:1 ratio closely approximates that of crude oil.
At a temperature of 80°C, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to analyze the densities of crude oil alongside varying nanoparticle SDS ratios—specifically, 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. For the 1:2 ratio, the derived average density settled at approximately 0.8279 g/ml, consistently aligned with the crude oil’s average density of around 0.8275 g/ml throughout the experiment. Shifting the focus to the 1:1 ratio, the observed average density was approximately 0.8208 g/ml. Similarly, the 2:1 ratio registered an average density of around 0.8306 g/ml. Importantly, akin to the 1:1 ratio, the 2:1 ratio also exhibited a density increase, indicating an average percentage rise of approximately 0.38%.
A comparative examination of the outcomes yields intriguing insights. At 80°C, the 2:1 ratio showcased the highest average density, followed by the 1:1 ratio, concluding with the 1:2 ratio. This trend underscores that, within the specified temperature range, the 2:1 ratio exhibited the most prominent average density among the three ratios. Notably, the average densities of both the crude oil and the 1:2 ratio were closely aligned. However, the 1:1 ratio notably displayed a significantly lower average density. When considering the comprehensive density changes within the nanofluid compositions, it becomes evident that the respective MWCNT to SDS ratios, specifically 1:2 and 2:1, yielded marginal increases in density, amounting to 0.38% and 0.05%, respectively. However, the scenario stood in stark contrast to the 1:1 nanofluid ratio, as it exhibited a noticeable reduction in overall density, with a decrease of 0.81%. The integration of MWCNT and SDS into the oil matrix creates a complex dynamic. The 1:2 and 2:1 nanofluid ratios likely experienced incremental density increases due to the interplay between the nanoparticles and the oil molecules. This interaction could lead to a more densely packed arrangement of particles, thus slightly increasing the overall density of the mixture.
Additionally, the surfactant SDS may contribute to enhanced particle dispersion, further influencing density.
On the other hand, the perplexing reduction in density seen in the 1:1 nanofluid ratio warrants closer scrutiny. The significant density decrease of 0.81% could be attributed to a few factors. The balanced 1:1 MWCNT to SDS ratio might have influenced the particle distribution and stability within the nanofluid, possibly resulting in a more dispersed configuration of particles. This could lead to a reduction in particle packing efficiency and, consequently, a decrease in density. Furthermore, the properties of SDS might interact with the MWCNTs and oil molecules in a way that disrupts the natural alignment, resulting in a less dense arrangement.
3.3 Interfacial tension
Another important factor is the interfacial tension, which was investigated using a ring method, and the acquired results are provided in Fig. 5. The provided dataset offered insight into the interfacial tension measurements for various ratios of MWCNT and SDS in a crude oil nanofluid. These measurements were taken at different temperatures (40°C, 60°C, and 80°C) and over specific time intervals.
Interfacial tension in a fluid, such as crude oil, tends to be higher at lower temperatures due to the increased molecular cohesion and reduced thermal energy. This leads to stronger attractive forces between the molecules at the interface between two phases, resulting in higher interfacial tension, which can be observed in Fig. 5. There was a slight but observable decrease in the case of 40°C and 60°C, which can be justified by the fact that over time, molecules at the interface can experience rearrangements and interactions that tend to lower interfacial tension, especially when the temperature is not extremely high. The stronger cohesive forces make this effect more prominent at lower temperatures. In the case of 80°C, the higher thermal energy and reduced cohesive forces can counterbalance the tendency for interfacial tension to decrease over time, resulting in a relatively stable value. The overall density for crude oil was 27.271 mN/m at 40°C, 26.234 mN/m at 60°C, and 23.856 mN/m at 80°C.
When focusing on the 1:2 ratio, it is evident that the interfacial tension decreased over time across all temperatures. This trend indicated that the incorporation of this specific ratio of MWCNT and SDS led to a reduction in intermolecular forces at the interface. Notably, this reduction was more pronounced at elevated temperatures (60°C and 80°C), suggesting that higher thermal energy facilitated more effective interactions between the MWCNT and SDS molecules, resulting in a greater decrease in interfacial tension. Similarly, the analysis of the 1:1 ratio of MWCNT to SDS displayed a comparable trend of decreasing interfacial tension over time. This indicated that this particular ratio also contributed to the reduction of intermolecular forces at the interface.
Interestingly, the rate of interfacial tension reduction for the 1:1 ratio differed slightly from that of the 1:2 ratio, implying that the equilibrium between MWCNT and SDS molecules might have impacted the overall effectiveness of interfacial tension reduction.
In contrast, the 2:1 ratio of MWCNT to SDS exhibited distinct behavior. While there was an initial decrease in interfacial tension at 40°C, the values seemed to stabilize at 60°C and 80°C. This stabilization could be attributed to specific interactions between MWCNT and SDS in this ratio, which might have reached equilibrium more rapidly or demonstrated temperature-dependent behaviors that countered the reduction in interfacial tension. A comparison of the three ratios in terms of their influence on interfacial tension indicated that the 1:2 and 1:1 ratios were more effective in reducing intermolecular forces at the interface compared to the 2:1 ratio. This observation aligned with the notion that specific ratios of MWCNT and SDS could lead to more favorable interactions, resulting in a more significant overall reduction in interfacial tension.
3.4 Electrical conductivity
In order to assess the electrical conductivity of crude oil, it was imperative to measure it both in its pure state, without any additives, and with the inclusion of additives. Figure 6 illustrates the impact of increasing voltage on the examined fluid and the corresponding current flow. In crude oil, one of the contributing factors to electrical conductivity is the presence of dissolved salts. The greater the concentration of these salts in the oil, the higher the current intensity. Conversely, the current flow will decrease in the absence of dissolved salts. This phenomenon is attributed to the ionic nature of the dissolved salts, which facilitates better electrical conduction. As observed, the increase in voltage resulted in an augmented current flow due to the presence of various salts. These salts, along with other substances such as water, contributed to the enhanced electrical conductivity of the crude oil. Therefore, a decrease in current indicated the potential settling of dissolved salts within the oil. It is important to note that various components, including base fluids and untreated crude oil, could influence this electrical conduction phenomenon.
In summary, the reduction in current served as an indicator of the accumulation of dissolved salts within the crude oil. The observed increase in current with rising voltage signified a high concentration of salts. Additionally, it should be acknowledged that the presence of other substances, such as water, could also impact the electrical conductivity of the crude oil.
The measurement of current flow through crude oil was conducted by adding an optimal concentration of a surfactant (0.008 g) and an equal proportion of MWCNTs to the base fluid (crude oil) while applying voltage. As observed, the addition of these substances to crude oil resulted in a reduction in current flow. This reduction was attributed to the precipitation of salts present in the oil due to the inclusion of the surfactant and carbon nanotubes. This reduction amounted to 34%, which was considered desirable compared to the lower concentration of additives. The effect of additional concentration was also examined. As anticipated, the measured current flow significantly decreased at concentrations 10 and 20 times higher than the optimal concentration. Increasing the concentration tenfold led to a 76% reduction in current flow, indicating a decrease in salt precipitation within the crude oil. In the case of 0.16 g concentration, a 96% reduction in current flow was achieved. While this reduction was favorable and desirable, it should be noted that the use of carbon nanotubes at this concentration could increase costs, making it economically impractical.
Furthermore, the dispersion of MWCNTs at this concentration might not have yielded optimal results. The experimental results indicated that increasing the concentration of surfactants and carbon nanotubes led to a decrease in current flow. This decrease reflected a reduction in the concentration of dissolved salts in the oil, which was one of the factors contributing to electrical conductivity in oil. The optimal condition for adding surfactants was the concentration that resulted in a 36% reduction in current flow. This percentage reduction was attributed to the decreased presence of dissolved salts in the oil. Increasing the concentration beyond the optimal level had a favorable impact on reducing current flow in terms of salt concentration but was economically impractical and might not have yielded proper dispersion within the oil.