The effects of pH, time and temperature on the stability and viscosity of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) dispersions: implications for use in enhanced oil recovery

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are currently being investigated as potential additives for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Presented in this paper is a study investigating the effects of different physical and chemical environments that low concentration CNC dispersions may be subjected to at oil reservoir conditions. Different concentrations of CNC dispersed in de-ionized water and in a 1000 ppm NaCl brine were subjected to variations in pH and...