The objective of the microfluidic investigation detailed in the complete paper is to identify and test two novel applications for magnetic fluids in porous media for subsurface oilfield applications. In particular, the study assesses the possibility of using water-based or oil-based ferrofluids as agents in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and temporary in-situ valves to divert multiphase fluid flow. The experimental results confirmed that ferrofluid is an effective EOR agent for both wetting and nonwetting phases.
Ferrofluids and Potential Applications
Ferrofluid is a colloidal suspension of nanoscale magnetic particles such as iron oxide (magnetite) suspended in a carrier fluid (Fig. 1 above). Based on the carrier fluid, ferrofluid could be water- or oil-based.
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