Abstract
The adsorption of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants on kaolinite has been investigated. Anionic surfactants are widely used in enhanced oil recovery. The lower the adsorption on the oil-bearing rock, the higher the advantage of the surfactant to be used. Whilst the adsorption of anionic and non-ionic surfactants are negligible, that of cationic surfactants is relatively high. For this reason, the use of cationic reagents in the enhanced oil recovery is not recommended. The adsorption of cationic surfactants was found to follow an ion-exchange mechanism, while that of anionic and non-ionic surfactants proceeded through electrostatic attraction and precipitation.