Viscosity analysis of clay-carbon nanotubes composites as potential drilling muds

Drillingfluids are vital components to facilitate the drilling process in oil and gas wells. 1 High temperature wells may cause difficulty in drilling operations. 2 Important properties such as the viscosity of the drillingfluid may be affected by the thermal gradient inside the well. An excess of viscosity would make thefluid less pumpable, whereas if thefluid is very diluted, it will decrease the dragging capacity of the detritus. 3 The role of an optimal drilling fluid is to provide lubrication and cooling through its heat capacity and thermal conductivity, so that the drilling process is carried out without complications. 4 The addition of nanoparticles has proven to be a potential technique in the improvement of the rheological properties of drillingfluids due to their physico-chemical, electrical, thermal, and hydrodynamic intrinsic properties. 5 In this study, a systematic viscosity analysis from clay-nanocomposites composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxylic acid (MWCNT-COOH) in a matrix of bentonite was conducted. Several samples of clay-nanocomposites were prepared combining bentonite clay and different concentrations of MWCNT-COOH dispersed in water. The results reveal that the stability of viscosity of the clay-nanocomposites in concentrations of 0.01 wt%and 0.05 wt%improves under high temperature conditions (50 o C). In addition, the results presented in this research project will serve to contribute to the knowledge in drilling fluids engineering for the Ecuadorian oil industry.

• Glavni avtor: Quilumba Dutan, Verónica Alexandra (author)
• Format: bachelorThesis
• Jezik: eng
• Izdano: 2019
• Teme: Clay; Multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Nano-based drillingfluid; Rheology; Temperature; Stability; Bentonite; Bentonita; Nanotubos de carbono multicapa; Fluidos de perforación nanoestructurados; Reología; Temperatura
• Online dostop: http://repositorio.yachaytech.edu.ec/handle/123456789/97