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U.S. Department of Energy
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Solubility and phase behavior of polyacrylate scale inhibitors and their implications for precipitation squeeze treatment

Book ·
OSTI ID:113567
The phase behavior of a commercial phosphino-polyacrylate inhibitor (PPAA) in aqueous brine has been characterized as a function of temperature, pH, and the Ca{sup ++} and PPAA concentrations. The quantity of precipitate formed has been determined as a function of the same variables. Contrary to expectations, over a range of conditions the yield of phase-separated PPAA was found to be less than 50% and sometimes as low as 5%. Studies on a sample of isolated precipitate show that it has significant solubility even in brines with high Ca{sup ++} concentration. Ca{sup ++}-induced fractionation of the polymeric inhibitor by molecular weight has been identified as the mechanism responsible for both the observed precipitation and re-dissolution behavior. The implications of these results for the optimization of precipitation squeeze treatments are discussed.
OSTI ID:
113567
Report Number(s):
CONF-950207--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English