Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing is an important technology for the exploitation of unconventional oil or gas reservoirs. In order to increase the production of oil or gas, ultra-lightweight proppants with a high compressive strength are highly desirable in hydraulic fracture systems. In this work, a new type of ultra-lightweight proppant, poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate)/fly ash (poly(St-co-MMA)/FA) composites with a high compressive strength were prepared via in situ suspension polymerization. The Fourier transform infrared (IR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed that the poly(St-co-MMA)/FA composites were successfully prepared. The morphology analysis indicated that the composite microspheres show good sphericity, and FA powder was evenly dispersed in the matrix. The apparent density of the microspheres was between 1 and 1.3 g/cm3, which is suitable for hydraulic fracturing. Furthermore, the compressive strength and thermostability were dramatically improved with the incorporation of FA, which could withstand high pressures and temperatures underground. The obtained poly(St-co-MMA)/FA composite microspheres are promising for application as an ultra-lightweight (ULW) proppant in oil or gas exploitation, which provides a new approach for the design of high performance proppants.
Highlights
Hydraulic fracturing is widely used to increase the efficiency of oil and gas exploitation, especially in low permeability oil and gas wells [1]
The peak at 1728 cm−1 was ascribed to C=O stretching vibration, which revealed the existence of C=O groups in Methyl methacrylate (MMA) [19]
These results indicate that the poly(St-co-MMA)/Fly ash (FA) microspheres have a range [32]
Summary
Hydraulic fracturing is widely used to increase the efficiency of oil and gas exploitation, especially in low permeability oil and gas wells [1]. Poly(St-co-MMA)/FA composite microspheres with an ultra-low density and outstanding mechanical and good thermal stability were prepared via in situ suspension polymerization, exhibiting promising applications as ULW proppants. This kind of proppant would enhance the efficiency of oil and gas production, but can realize the value-added utilization of fly ash, turning waste into treasure and harm into profit
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