Preparation and evaluation of hydroxymethylated betaine surfactant for enhanced recovery application

Jingwen Yang; Tianjiang Wu; Xin Zhang; Lingzhi Yang; Pengcheng Zhou; Ying Tang; Yongfei Li; Gang Chen

doi:10.1515/tsd-2025-2667

Article

Preparation and evaluation of hydroxymethylated betaine surfactant for enhanced recovery application

Jingwen Yang
Jingwen Yang is a PhD in the Department of College of Petroleum Engineering of Xi’an Shiyou University. Her research interests are focused on chemical flooding for enhanced recovery technology.
, Tianjiang Wu
Tianjiang Wu is a Senior Engineer in Gas Technology Research Institute of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Oil. His research interests focus on unconventional oil and gas production enhancement technologies.
, Xin Zhang , Lingzhi Yang , Pengcheng Zhou , Ying Tang
Ying Tang is a professor in Xi’an Shiyou University. Her major research interests include the development and utilization of alternative energy sources.
, Yongfei Li
Yongfei Li is a professor in Xi’an Shiyou University. He is mainly focused on chemical engineering and technology, oil and gas engineering.
and Gang Chen
Gang Chen is a professor in the Department of College of Petroleum Engineering of Xi’an Shiyou University. He is involved in research on surfactants, oilfield chemistry and petroleum chemistry.

Published/Copyright: August 11, 2025

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From the journal Tenside Surfactants Detergents Volume 62 Issue 5

Abstract

Exploring amidopropyl betaines with high interfacial activity and low cost is highly desired but remains a daunting challenge for modern oilfields enhancing quality and efficiency. Herein, a cost-effective surfactant (ROB-HM) with high interfacial activity and oil-washing capability was successfully synthesized through formaldehyde modification strategy. The effects of formaldehyde molar ratio, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and time were investigated, and the optimal reaction conditions were determined. The compound was characterized by mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the interfacial tension, surface tension, apparent viscosity, critical micelle concentration (CMC), wettability, emulsification capacity and oil recovery rate were comprehensively evaluated. Compared to its performance before modification, ROB-HM shows significantly higher interfacial activity at low concentrations, which can be attributed to the efficient arrangement of the introduced methanol group surfactant molecules. Additionally, the CMC of ROB-HM is considerably lower than before modification, having more opportunities to form micelles. Meanwhile, the other oil-washing capabilities of ROB-HM also shows desirable results. This work paves a novel route for designing and modifying molecular structures to increase the polarity group of surfactants and affect the surface interface activity, which are suitable for enhanced oilfield recovery.

Keywords: formaldehyde modification; interfacial tension; betaine surfactant; enhanced oil recovery

Corresponding author: Gang Chen, Engineering Research Center of Development and Management for Low to Ultra-Low Permeability Oil & Gas Reservoirs in West China, Ministry of Education, College of Petroleum Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, 710065, China; and Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Reservoir Protection Technology of Oilfields, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, 710065, China, E-mail: gangchen@xsyu.edu.cn

Funding source: The Postgraduate Innovation Fund Project of Xi’an Shiyou University

Award Identifier / Grant number: YCX2412009

Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award Identifier / Grant number: 52474041

About the authors

Jingwen Yang

Jingwen Yang is a PhD in the Department of College of Petroleum Engineering of Xi’an Shiyou University. Her research interests are focused on chemical flooding for enhanced recovery technology.

Tianjiang Wu

Tianjiang Wu is a Senior Engineer in Gas Technology Research Institute of PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Oil. His research interests focus on unconventional oil and gas production enhancement technologies.

Ying Tang

Ying Tang is a professor in Xi’an Shiyou University. Her major research interests include the development and utilization of alternative energy sources.

Yongfei Li

Yongfei Li is a professor in Xi’an Shiyou University. He is mainly focused on chemical engineering and technology, oil and gas engineering.

Gang Chen

Gang Chen is a professor in the Department of College of Petroleum Engineering of Xi’an Shiyou University. He is involved in research on surfactants, oilfield chemistry and petroleum chemistry.

Acknowledgments

The work of the Modern Analysis and Testing Center of Xi’an Shiyou University and the Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi University is gratefully acknowledged.

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
Research funding: The work was supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52474041) and the Postgraduate Innovation Fund Project of Xi’an Shiyou University (YCX2412009).
Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2025-03-12

Accepted: 2025-07-15

Published Online: 2025-08-11

Published in Print: 2025-09-25

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/tsd-2025-2667

Keywords for this article

formaldehyde modification; interfacial tension; betaine surfactant; enhanced oil recovery