Research on ecologically safe flokulants in clay fluid fluids

Currently, a large number of flocculants differing in properties and composition and working differently in various conditions is manufactured. Drilling fluids are complex systems differing in component composition, thus, it is not possible to recommend a universal flocculant. The present study carries out the analysis with the use of two methods with the objective to assess reagents' flocculating ability. Having analyzed the results obtained, the following conclusions can be drawn: the reagents BENEX, BENTOPLUS and DRB-9 can be used to increase the clay solution viscosity provided that the additives BENTOPLUS and DRB-9 do not exceed the concentration of 0.2 kg/m³; in a concentration of up to 0.1 kg/m³ flocculant SPECFLOC A 7950-20 can be used to increase a clay solution viscosity, at a concentration of 0.2 and 0.3 kg/m³ the additive affects a drilling fluid mainly as a flocculant, thus, reducing the static shear stress of the solution and increasing filtrate flow. If dynamic shear stress is the only determining parameter in drilling with drilling fluid with SPECFLOC N6919 additive, then it can be recommended for being used. In all other cases additional research is required.