Influence of Degree of Dispersion of Noncovalent Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets on Rheological Behaviour of Aqueous Drilling Fluids

Arif Ibrahim,Asna Amer,Radzi Shahari,Tarek Ganat,Syahrir Ridha

doi:10.1155/2019/8107168

Arif Ibrahim, Asna Amer + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8107168

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Abstract

Application of carbon nanomaterials in oil well drilling fluid has been previously studied and was found to enhance its filtration properties. There is a general consensus that addition of colloids in suspension will alter its rheology, i.e., carbon nanomaterials, in this research work; graphene nanoplatelets are hydrophobic materials, which require functionalisation to improve its dispersion in aqueous solution. However, different degrees of dispersion may vary the rheological properties behaviour of drilling fluid. The objective of this study was to characterize the colloidal dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) in aqueous solution and its impact on the rheological properties behaviour of water-based drilling fluid. Dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets was achieved through noncovalent functionalisation by means of surfactant attachment. UV-visible spectroscopy was employed to analyze the dispersion of GNP in aqueous solution. The rheological test was carried out using a simple direct-indicating viscometer at six different speeds. Results revealed that the degree of dispersion of GNP using Triton X-100 was generally higher than both SDS and DTAB. Comparison between the rheological properties behaviour of drilling fluid with GNP dispersed using different surfactants shows little to no difference at low shear rates. At high shear rates, however, greater dispersion of GNP shows higher thinning properties while fluid with a low dispersion of GNP exhibited linear behaviour to thickening properties.

Highlights

Oil well drilling fluid or commonly known as drilling muds are a complex colloidal system that is a trivial part for an oil well drilling operation
Apart from its primary function in conventional drilling operation where drilling fluid acts as a safety barrier which prevents formation fluid from flowing into the well, drilling fluid needs to carry drilled cuttings to the surface. e ability of a fluid to suspend and lift cuttings to the surface is related to its rheological properties
In 2011, Pu et al.’s [32] research found that homogeneity of graphene dispersion in aqueous media differs with different types of surfactants. us, the research question is will the effect of different degrees of dispersion of graphene affect the ability of graphene as an additive for drilling fluid application or of this study, rheology

Summary

Research Article

Ere is a general consensus that addition of colloids in suspension will alter its rheology, i.e., carbon nanomaterials, in this research work; graphene nanoplatelets are hydrophobic materials, which require functionalisation to improve its dispersion in aqueous solution. Different degrees of dispersion may vary the rheological properties behaviour of drilling fluid. E objective of this study was to characterize the colloidal dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) in aqueous solution and its impact on the rheological properties behaviour of water-based drilling fluid. Comparison between the rheological properties behaviour of drilling fluid with GNP dispersed using different surfactants shows little to no difference at low shear rates. Greater dispersion of GNP shows higher thinning properties while fluid with a low dispersion of GNP exhibited linear behaviour to thickening properties

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Mixing order

Results and Discussion