Temperature and pressure effects on zeta potential values of reservoir minerals

An experimental study of the effect of temperature and pressure on zeta potential of typical reservoir minerals, including quartz, kaolinite, and calcite, is presented. Experiments included the design and construction of an electrophoretic cell for zeta potential measurements at variable pressure and temperature. Electrolyte concentration was varied in the range from 0.0001 to 0.1 M in the pH range from 2 to 9. For all the minerals it is found that the zeta potential decreases with temperature at a rate characteristic of each mineral; values are around −2.3 mV/°C for quartz, −0.96 mV/°C for kaolinite, and −2.1 mV/°C for calcite for pressure values less than 45 psi. The effect of pressure is found to depend on the mineral nature and pH of the electrolytic solution. In the case of quartz, a systematic increase in the value of the zeta potential with pressure is observed, whereas a decreasing trend is measured for the kaolinite. In the case of calcite, a decreasing trend is observed for pressures up to 45 psi, whereas the experimental data suggest an increasing trend for higher pressure values.

It is found that the zeta potential of the three minerals decrease with temperature with characteristic rates, whereas with pressure, the response is a function of mineral nature and pH of electrolytic solution.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide