Adsorption of sodium alkyl aryl sulfonates on sandstone. [Berea and Benton Tar Springs sandstones]

Equilibrium adsorption isotherms of commercial alkyl aryl sulfonates (petroleum sulfonates), and pure alkyl aryl sulfonates on disaggregated Berea and Benton Tar Springs sandstones were determined. Adsorption isotherms of commercial sulfonates were found to contain maxima, which did not necessarily correspond to the measured C.M.C. At adsorption maxima, surface coverage corresponded to about one half monomolecular layer of sulfonate, but, at high surfactant concentrations, coverage sometimes amounted to only about one-tenth of a monolayer. Pure alkyl aryl sulfonates were synthesized and adsorption on sandstone determined. These materials were found to yield conventional adsorption isotherms, with adsorption plateaus at about one half a monolayer of surface coverage. Apparently, adsorption maxima are unique to impure sulfonates. Selectivity of adsorption with respect to molecular weight and structural type was studied. Structure of petroleum sulfonate and accompanying mineral oil was determined as were structures of sulfonate and mineral oil that had been equilibrated with sandstone. Comparison showed no selectivity of adsorption based on carbon number distribution or structural type. However, aggregates relatively rich in mineral oil were found to be selectively adsorbed.