Article · Petroleum Exploration and Development · August 1, 2019
The effect of cations on gelation of cross-linked polymers
Mostafa Sedaghatzadeh, Khalil Shahbazi, Peyman Pourafshary, Seyed Ali Razavi
Abstract
The effects of different cation concentrations and types on rheological property and stability of Guar, Xanthan, and Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) cross-linked gels were analyzed through experiments. Also, a new approach was developed to reduce the negative effects of cation by application of multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs). The presence of cations in cross-linked gel system will reduce the viscosity of gel, the higher the cation concentration is, the lower the viscosity will be. The bivalent cation has a greater viscosity reduction effect on gel than monovalent cation. The stability of cross-linked gels is worse with cations, this situation becomes more serious under higher salinity. MWCNTs were added to HPAM gel, cross-linked by (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), they surrounded cations and removed them from polymers and reduced the reaction possibility. This method enhances the viscosity and breakdown pressure of cross-linked gels, improves the stability of HPAM cross-linked gel under different operating conditions, and can be applied to related drilling projects.
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