Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Comparison of solution properties of mobility control polymers

Journal Article · · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6582015

Polymers that have been suggested for mobility control in oil reservoirs include modified polysaccharides, polyacrylamides, and hydroxy ethyl cellulose which are produced either by fermentation or by more conventional chemical processes. In this study, the solution properties of these polymers are presented and compared for tertiary oil recovery applications. Among the properties discussed are non-Newtonian character for different polymer concentrations, shear degradation, viscosity in different environmental conditions (electrolytes and temperature), filterability, and stability. The behavior of these water soluble polymers in solution can be correlated with the effective molecular size which can be measured by the intrinsic viscosity technique. A low-shear capillary viscometer with a high precision and a capability of covering low shear rates (such as 10 sec/sup -1/ for a 10 cp fluid) has been designed to measure the viscosities. These shear rates are typical of the low flow rates encountered in Pennsylvanian oil sands. Mixing has been studied extensively because tight oil sands require good dispersion of the polymer molecules to avoid plugging.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ
OSTI ID:
6582015
Journal Information:
Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Vol. 23:2; ISSN ACPCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English