Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromodel with a mixed wettability surface representing a hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed. The method includes coating a top surface of a hydrophilic substrate with photoresist, covering a top of the photoresist with a photomask, exposing the covered top of the photoresist to UV light that changes a chemical property of a region of the photoresist corresponding to a pattern of the photomask, removing the photomask, removing the region of the photoresist corresponding to the pattern of the photomask based on the chemical property of the region, depositing a hydrophobic thin-film on top of the hydrophilic substrate, and removing a remaining photoresist covered with the thin-film, such that the surface of the hydrophilic substrate is patterned with both a region covered with the hydrophobic thin-film and an uncovered region of the hydrophilic substrate, creating a mixed wettability surface on the hydrophilic substrate that represents the micromodel.

Abstract: A method includes 3d printing a polymer substrate having microfluidic channels and depositing calcite onto the polymer substrate then using atomic layer deposition to form a calcite microfluidic device. A device made from the method includes a 3d printed polymer substrate having microfluidic channels. The 3d printed polymer substrate has a calcite coating.

Abstract: Provided is a coreflood system that comprises a housing including an inlet end and an outlet end, an inlet positioned at the inlet end, and an outlet positioned at the outlet end. The system includes two chambers positioned within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, configured to retain porous media. The two chambers are in series along a fluid flow pathway through the coreflood system. The system includes a partition extending from an inner surface of the housing between the inlet and the outlet, and a pH sensor provide in a sensor mounting location in the housing having access to the fluid flow pathway. Further provided is a method that comprises directing a fluid into a coreflood system, and using a data processing device coupled to the pH sensor to collect hydrogen ion data and determine hydrogen ion concentration and pH within the fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a coreflood system that comprises a housing including an inlet end and an outlet end, an inlet positioned at the inlet end, and an outlet positioned at the outlet end. The system includes two chambers positioned within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, configured to retain porous media. The two chambers are in series along a fluid flow pathway through the coreflood system. The system includes a partition extending from an inner surface of the housing between the inlet and the outlet, and a pH sensor provide in a sensor mounting location in the housing having access to the fluid flow pathway. Further provided is a method that comprises directing a fluid into a coreflood system, and using a data processing device coupled to the pH sensor to collect hydrogen ion data and determine hydrogen ion concentration and pH within the fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a coreflood apparatus that comprises a housing, an inlet, an outlet, and two chambers positioned within the housing that are configured to retain porous media. The apparatus includes a partition coupled to an inner surface of the housing between the two chambers and a sensor mounting location. Provided is a method of introducing a fluid into the coreflood apparatus and allowing fluid to pass through chambers in the apparatus having a sensor mounting location there between. Further provided is a coreflood system comprising a coreflood apparatus, a calcium ion sensor, and a data processing device. Provided is a method of introducing fluid into the coreflood system and allowing fluid to pass through chambers in the system having a calcium ion sensor there between. The method further comprises detecting calcium ions in the fluid and determining calcium ion concentration data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring the zeta potential of macroscopic solid surfaces including and not limited to: porous samples, flat substrates, coarse particles, and granular samples. Methods include: subjecting the sample to an injection of a first aqueous solution at an initial pressure with an initial ion concentration; measuring a first electrical conductivity and a first temperature of the first aqueous solution; measuring a first pH and a second pH of the first aqueous solution immediately before and after passing the first aqueous solution through the sample; measuring a first ion concentration and a second ion concentration of the first aqueous solution immediately before and after passing the first aqueous solution through the sample; and processing the measured data to derive a first zeta potential from the first electrical conductivity and the first temperature.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon recovery method using artificial, fresh rain water is described. The method includes generating artificial, fresh rain water. A volume of the generated artificial, fresh rain water is mixed with a volume of brine water obtained from a brine water source to form a mixture having a water salinity that satisfies a threshold water salinity. The mixture is injected into an injection well formed in a subterranean zone. The injection well is fluidically coupled to a producing well formed in the subterranean zone to produce hydrocarbons residing in the subterranean zone. The mixture flows the hydrocarbons in the subterranean zone surrounding the producing well toward the producing well. The hydrocarbons are produced in response to injecting the mixture in the injection well.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon recovery method using artificial, fresh rain water is described. The method includes generating artificial, fresh rain water. A volume of the generated artificial, fresh rain water is mixed with a volume of brine water obtained from a brine water source to form a mixture having a water salinity that satisfies a threshold water salinity. The mixture is injected into an injection well formed in a subterranean zone. The injection well is fluidically coupled to a producing well formed in the subterranean zone to produce hydrocarbons residing in the subterranean zone. The mixture flows the hydrocarbons in the subterranean zone surrounding the producing well toward the producing well. The hydrocarbons are produced in response to injecting the mixture in the injection well.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring the zeta potential of macroscopic solid surfaces including and not limited to: porous samples, flat substrates, coarse particles, and granular samples. Methods include: subjecting the sample to an injection of a first aqueous solution at an initial pressure with an initial ion concentration; measuring a first electrical conductivity and a first temperature of the first aqueous solution; measuring a first pH and a second pH of the first aqueous solution immediately before and after passing the first aqueous solution through the sample; measuring a first ion concentration and a second ion concentration of the first aqueous solution immediately before and after passing the first aqueous solution through the sample; and processing the measured data to derive a first zeta potential from the first electrical conductivity and the first temperature.

Abstract: A composition for increased hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir. The composition includes a saltwater solution suitable for injection into the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir for water flooding, the saltwater solution having a salinity; and a plurality of nanocapsules, where the nanocapsules are operable to be suspended amongst the saltwater solution, where the nanocapsules have an overall positively charged outer surface at respective outer shells of the nanocapsules, where the nanocapsules encapsulate water molecules within the nanocapsules, and where the nanocapsules are operable to release the water molecules in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir proximate overall negatively charged zones.

Abstract: A pressure cell for sum frequency generation spectroscopy includes: a metal pressure chamber; a heating stage that heats the liquid sample; a pump, connected to an interior of the metal pressure chamber, that pressurizes the interior of the metal pressure chamber; and a controller that controls the pump and the heating stage to control a pressure of the interior of the metal pressure chamber and a temperature of a liquid sample. The metal pressure chamber includes: a base that retains the liquid sample; a removable lid that seals against the base to enclose the liquid sample in the metal pressure chamber; and a window in the removable lid that exposes the liquid sample to an exterior of the metal pressure chamber.

Abstract: A composition for increased hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir. The composition includes a saltwater solution suitable for injection into the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir for water flooding, the saltwater solution having a salinity; and a plurality of nanocapsules, where the nanocapsules are operable to be suspended amongst the saltwater solution, where the nanocapsules have an overall positively charged outer surface at respective outer shells of the nanocapsules, where the nanocapsules encapsulate water molecules within the nanocapsules, and where the nanocapsules are operable to release the water molecules in the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir proximate overall negatively charged zones.