Propagation of a nonionic surfactant in radial sandstone cores

The dynamic adsorption of a nonionic surfactant, Triton X‐100®, on Berea sandstone with radial flow under a variety of injection rates, salinities and pH is examined. Mathematical modelling of the experimental data shows that the most consistent results are obtained using a kinetic hemimicelle model. The aggregation number (hemimicelle size) is independent of flow rate and salinity, but increases with increasing pH. In all cases, the aggregation number is lower under dynamic conditions than under static conditions, which is attributed to the shear force at the surface. The rate constants for adsorption increase with increasing flow rate, which is attributed to a decrease in mass transfer resistance.