THE STUDY OF DEPENDENCE OF SILICATE-POLYMER SOLUTIONS ON COMPONENTS CONCENTRATION IN THE COMPOSITION

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this article is to study the possibility of xanthan usage as a polymer additive in silicate-gel solutions when creation compositions for enhancing oil recovery. The dependence of the time of gel formation of the silicate-polymer compositions and the pH of the gel-forming solution from various concentrations of xanthan and polyacrylamide was analyzed. Research methods: Direct and reverse titration, potentiometric titration, pH-metry, determination of the dynamic viscosity on a rotational viscometer, axial compression method to determine the elastic modulus were used to determine the possibility of xanthan usage as a polymer additive instead of polyacrylamide. Results: Such investigations as determination the influence of polymer type and concentration on the elastic modulus and syneresis of compositions in the gel state have been performed to determine the possibility of xanthan usage as a polymer additive of gel-forming composition and influence of this polymer on the dynamic viscosity of gel-forming compositions, gel strength, stability in time, the possibility of gel destruction. Discussion: Xanthan investigation as an alternative polymer has shown the perspective of its usage in the oil recovery industry. The environmental friendliness of technologies developed with the use of xanthan, which is safe for the environment, does not lead to an irreversible change in the reservoir properties of the formation. The lower molecular weight of xanthan in comparison with synthetic polymers determines the improved filtration properties of xanthan solutions, especially in low permeability conditions, which also makes it possible to carry out deeper treatments of the formation.