Conventional wisdom dictates that water and oil do not mix–at least for those of us who are not MIT engineers . But a new discovery could soon turn that clichéd expression on its head and give oil producers something to cheer about. Scientists at Rice University’s Brown School of Engineering have successfully demonstrated that microscopic saltwater droplets can emulsify crude oil when done in the right proportions and conditions, something that could have huge ramifications for the shale industry. Understanding how the two seemingly immiscible liquids combine could lead to cheaper enhanced oil recovery (EOR) compared to currently used chemicals and methods is the key here. Chemical and biological engineer Sibani Lisa Biswal and her colleagues have put their time into trying to characterize various rock, water, and crude types to determine what works and what does not. It turns out the magical ‘smart water’ that could revolutionize the […]