Flow of polymer solutions through porous media
This paper discusses the physical parameters involved in the slow flow of high molecular weight polymer solutions in porous media. The interacting effects of polymer properties and porous media properties on flow performance are considered. Experiments were conducted with the polyethylene oxides, with molecular weights ranging from 200,000 to over 5,000,000. Frontal advance velocities ranged from 1 to 30 ft/day. The porous matrix consisted of a flow cell packed with glass beads. Polymer solutions were characterized by viscosity and normal stress measurements. Under certain conditions, unexpectedly high flow resistance was observed. This behavior was observed to be a function of flow rate, pore size, polymer molecular weight and concentration. The polymer solutions exhibit ''dilatant'' flow behavior in porous media in contrast to the pseudoplastic behavior in simple flow systems. A theoretical explanation of such behavior is presented. (27 refs.)
- OSTI ID:
- 6345249
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ALCOHOLS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
GLYCOLS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MICROSTRUCTURE
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERMEABILITY
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
POLYMERS
POROSITY
POROUS MATERIALS
VISCOSITY
WATERFLOODING
WELLS