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Influences of polymer solution properties on flow in porous media

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5879409

This study presents the results of a systematic study of factors influencing the flow of polymer solutions in porous media. Effects of inertia, shear-thinning viscosity, viscoelasticity, and molecule-wall interactions on the flow in porous media are demonstrated by correlations of the appropriate dimensionless parameters. Packed beds of glass beads with different particle sizes are used. The polymer solutions investigated include sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), xanthan gum (XG), sodium cellulose sulfate ester (CSE), polyethylene oxide (PEO), and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAM). Fluid property variables in the dimensional analysis include power-law parameters, relaxation time, and molecular size of the polymer solution. Power-law parameters and relaxation time of the solutions were determined from a cone-and-plate steady-shearing experiment. The hydrodynamic size of the polymer molecules is characterized by coupling intrinsic viscosity measurements with gel permeation chromatography. The polymers, which are cellulose derivatives or fermentation polysaccharides, show flow resistance in porous media that can be correlated simply with the shear-thinning bulk viscosity. 41 references.

OSTI ID:
5879409
Report Number(s):
CONF-790913-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE-8418; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English