Synthesis and characterization of some quaternary amine surfactants for high-temperature geothermal foam systems
Abstract The growing demand for geothermal energy highlights the need for thermally stable and efficient foaming systems capable of withstanding the extreme conditions encountered during high-temperature geothermal drilling. This study addresses this challenge by synthesizing and evaluating a series...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Engineering and Applied Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-025-00697-7 |
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| Summary: | Abstract The growing demand for geothermal energy highlights the need for thermally stable and efficient foaming systems capable of withstanding the extreme conditions encountered during high-temperature geothermal drilling. This study addresses this challenge by synthesizing and evaluating a series of novel pentaethylenehexamine-based cationic surfactants with varying alkyl chain lengths (C4, C8, and C12) to improve foam stability under high-temperature and high-salinity conditions. The surfactants were synthesized via a two-step process involving Michael addition and quaternization, and their structures were confirmed using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and their thermal properties were assessed by DSC. After dynamic aging at 150 °C for 24 h in a saline environment, foaming performance was evaluated. The surfactant Ia C12 exhibited the best performance, achieving a foam volume of 127 mL and a drainage half-life of 2992 s, representing a 76% improvement in foam half-life and a 55% increase in foam volume compared to conventional surfactants. These enhancements are attributed to the longer hydrophobic tail, which strengthens interfacial stability and surface activity. This work is the first to investigate hexamine-based surfactants in geothermal applications and demonstrates the potential of Ia C12 as a foaming agent, offering a low-cost solution, compared to nanomaterials, to improve the stability of geothermal drilling operations. |
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| ISSN: | 1110-1903 2536-9512 |