Characterization and Evaluation of the Rheological Behavior of a Natural Surfactant (Acacia concinna)

Surfactants play an important role in the processes of improved oil recovery by reducing the interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and water. The application of surfactants in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is primarily intended to mobilize and extract trapped oil from the reservoir rock, enabling improved oil recovery. These operations involve large quantities of surfactants, so environmental impact is an important consideration. Natural surfactants are derived from renewable sources, such as plants and microorganisms. They are generally considered to be more environmentally friendly than synthetic surfactants, which are often produced through chemical processes using nonrenewable sources. In the current work, the physiochemical characterizations of Acacia concinna (AC) were carried out to assess its detergent characteristics. The studies of the thermal, interfacial, and emulsifying characteristics of AC-based surfactants are useful in different petroleum sectors.