1. Nanocellulose/scleroglucan-enhanced robust, heat-resistant composite hydrogels for oilfield water plugging.
- Author
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Ma, Ruoteng, Dai, Lei, Sun, Dalong, Yang, Yang, Tang, Chunxia, Li, Liang, He, Zhibin, and Ni, Yonghao
- Subjects
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HYDROGELS , *POLYACRYLAMIDE , *CELLULOSE , *AGING prevention , *POLYSACCHARIDES , *NANOFIBERS , *OIL fields , *PETROLEUM , *OIL field flooding - Abstract
In an oil exploitation process, hydrogel plugging agents can effectively reduce the water-oil intermixing, decrease water extraction volume, and enhance oil recovery rate. The practical applications of traditional polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel plugging agents in oilfield are limited by their non-biodegradability, poor mechanical performance, and inferior temperature-resistance. This work developed a mechanically stable and high-temperature-resistant composite hydrogel (STP) by incorporating biodegradable scleroglucan (Slg) and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCN) in the PAM hydrogel. The addition of Slg conferred heat resistance to the PAM hydrogel, while TOCN reinforced the mechanical strength. Anti-aging analyses revealed that the STP endured for 108 h in a saline environment at 140 °C. In the water flooding characterization, the STP displayed a breakthrough pressure of 42.10 psi/ft. at a flow rate of 0.75 cm3/min. Under these extreme conditions, the plugging pressure reached 14.74 psi/ft., meeting the essential criteria for oilfield water plugging. This research demonstrates the potential of polysaccharides in the preparation of sustainable, tough, and heat-resistant water plugging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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