Bryant, StevenMohitian, Kimia2023-09-202023-09-202023-08-07Mohitian, K. (2023). Effects of nanoparticles on friction reduction in fluid flow (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.https://hdl.handle.net/1880/117120https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/41962The interaction between a flowing fluid and the solid surfaces over which it flows is fundamental to determining the resistance to flow offered by the solid. This interaction is commonly described as friction or drag in fluid mechanics and is the basis for the no-slip boundary condition in fluid dynamics. The slip behaviour of the fluid near the solid boundary, commonly quantified as the "slip length," is often used to quantify friction reduction. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been proposed to influence the fluid flow in reservoirs through several mechanisms, including modifying the slip behaviour of a fluid. This thesis investigates whether coating the surface of channels in glass micromodels with silica NPs affects the slip length of oil flow and water flow. Silica NPs with different shapes, surface coating and charges were tested to understand how the nature of these nanomaterials can affect friction. In-line coating, immersion, and spin coating were evaluated to determine how effectively each method coated the surface of the channel with NPs. Particle deposition was evaluated by water droplet contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, and elemental analysis. A uniform, crack-free, and stable distribution of NPs on the surface was observed using spin coating. Hydrophilic silica NP coating affected water differently from oil, causing a reduction in friction while oil flooding but an increase in friction for water. On the other hand, partially hydrophobic silica NPs reduced the friction for both water and oil flooding. The fundamental understanding of how NPs can be used as friction reducers for oil production will open new opportunities for designing low-energy and more sustainable oil production methods.enUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Friction ReductionNanoparticlesEngineering--Chemicalmaster thesis