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Study of the application of polymeric gels in porous media

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6354641
Crosslinking experiments with polyacrylamide and cellulosic polymers using chromium and aluminum as crosslinking cations have been performed in glass tubes as well as in Berea sandstone plugs. The dependence of gel strength on salinity, polymer concentration and concentration of the crosslinking agents was investigated to determine optimum conditions. For a given polymer concentration the gel strength was found to peak at optimum concentrations of the crosslinking agents and declined at higher concentrations. Comparisons of gel strengths between the tube and porous media measurements show that the concentrations of crosslinking agents required for maximum gel strength are considerably higher in Berea sandstone plugs than those in glass tube experiments. It was found that, at low polyacrylamide concentrations, gels did not form, yet mobility reduction still occurred. The basis for the reduction was determined to be due to the precipitation of the polymer from solution, which then plugged the porous medium. 19 refs.
Research Organization:
Pet Recovery Inst, Calgary, Alberta, Can
OSTI ID:
6354641
Report Number(s):
CONF-820169-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English