Concentrated Polymer Solutions Research Articles

Cent-Hydro: A Novel Temperature and Pressure-Controlled Hybrid System for Large-Scale Nanofiber Production

The present study aimed to develop a novel temperature and pressure-controlled hybrid system (Cent-Hydro) for large-scale nanofiber production. Nanofibers from a hydrophilic carrier matrix were prepared using the Cent-Hydro system. This study explores the effect of increasing working temperature on the surface tension and viscosity of polymer solutions. The Cent-Hydro system was calibrated through the process of jet formation, and spinning parameters were identified for the jet path. The formation of fingers in front of the thin liquid occurred due to Rayleigh–Taylor instability, and a lower concentration of polymer solution favoured the development of thinner and longer fingers. The critical angular velocity and initial velocity for jet formation were obtained when the balance between surface tension, centrifugal force, and viscous force was achieved. The effect of increasing rotational speed and working temperature on finger velocity and length was experimentally evaluated, concluding that an increase in working temperature increases finger velocity and length. Additionally, the effect of increasing rotational speed, polymer concentration, and working temperature on the diameter of the nanofiber was evaluated. Overall, the Cent-Hydro system presents a compelling proposition for large-scale nanofiber production, offering distinct advantages over conventional methods and paving the way for advancements in various applications.

Supramolecular Interfacial Assembly: Integrating Supramolecular Hosts into Polymeric Membranes through an Aqueous Interface

Efficient incorporation of supramolecular hosts in polymeric membranes can impart the overall matrix with new properties for a range of cutting‐edge applications. Here, we introduce a Supramolecular Interfacial Assembly (SIA) method for the fabrication of polymeric membranes featuring embedded macrocycles. Through harnessing the quasi‐liquid nature of the concentrated polymer solution, SIA orchestrates the homogenous spreading of macrocycles in an aqueous layer on its surface, leading to the creation of an interface between “water/water” phases, subsequently forming a cross‐linked membrane driven by supramolecular electrostatic interactions. Remarkably, compared to the traditional interfacial polymerization, SIA adheres to a “green” paradigm without the need for organic solvents. The resultant composite membrane exhibits superior performance in organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), owing to the precise molecular sieving property provided by the macrocycles with well‐defined permanent cavities. This fabrication method holds great promise for the innovative design of composite membranes, which can greatly impact the production of smart membrane materials for advanced technology applications in the future.

Supramolecular Interfacial Assembly: Integrating Supramolecular Hosts into Polymeric Membranes through an Aqueous Interface.

Efficient incorporation of supramolecular hosts in polymeric membranes can impart the overall matrix with new properties for a range of cutting-edge applications. Here, we introduce a Supramolecular Interfacial Assembly (SIA) method for the fabrication of polymeric membranes featuring embedded macrocycles. Through harnessing the quasi-liquid nature of the concentrated polymer solution, SIA orchestrates the homogenous spreading of macrocycles in an aqueous layer on its surface, leading to the creation of an interface between "water/water" phases, subsequently forming a cross-linked membrane driven by supramolecular electrostatic interactions. Remarkably, compared to the traditional interfacial polymerization, SIA adheres to a "green" paradigm without the need for organic solvents. The resultant composite membrane exhibits superior performance in organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN), owing to the precise molecular sieving property provided by the macrocycles with well-defined permanent cavities. This fabrication method holds great promise for the innovative design of composite membranes, which can greatly impact the production of smart membrane materials for advanced technology applications in the future.

Reservoir numerical simulation method considering time-varying relative permeability during polymer flooding process

Abstract In response to the abnormal decline in liquid production capacity during the middle and later stages of chemical flooding in Chinese offshore oil fields, in-depth analysis was conducted using reservoir engineering, dynamic analysis, and reservoir simulation methods. Because of the viscoelasticity of polymer solution, the relative permeability curve of oil/water during polymer flooding is different from that during water flooding, including the minimum mobile water saturation and residual oil saturation. In this study, an interpolation coefficient ‘f’ related to polymer solution concentration was firstly proposed for simplicity. Then, reservoir numerical simulation with the self-developed simulator ‘SIMFAST’ were conducted to investigate the influence of the interpolation coefficient ‘f’ on the injector and producer performance and the applications in actual field production history matching. The results indicated that compared with the commercial simulators, the self-developed simulator with the interpolation factor could more reliably describe the characteristic of the injected polymer solution in controlling water cut rise, and more efficiently simplify the combination of parameters on relative permeability curves during polymer flooding in offshore oilfields. Finally, above reservoir simulation method considering the change of the relative permeability curves during chemical flooding, was successfully conducted in the production history matching in J oilfield in Bohai Bay China, in terms of oil rate & water cut parameters. The research results give an efficient method to investigate the fluid seepage behaviour variation and its influence on oil rate and water cut during polymer flooding in China offshore reservoirs, which offers very useful technical support for the accurate design of chemical flooding schemes.

Application of drag-reducing polymers in forest firefighting: Effects on wood properties and mechanism study

Based on the successful utilization of polymer additives in drag reduction for long-distance transportation and the intricacies of their application in firefighting contexts, this study investigated the impact of additives on wood properties in forest fire suppression through a combination of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, focusing on wettability, fluidity, and combustibility. Optimal concentrations of polymer solutions were determined through contact angle measurements and surface flow experiments. The effects of polymers on wood water retention, thermal stability, and microstructure were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and wood impregnation experiments. Wetting and flow models of polymers on cellulose surfaces were simulated to elucidate the wetting mechanism and dynamic behavior of polymers during flow. The results revealed that polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) promoted wood surface wetting, improved flowability, enhanced water retention, and delayed decomposition at optimal concentrations. PAM exhibited superior effects in flow stability, thermal stability, and liquid absorption enhancement, attributed to strong hydrogen bonding between PAM and surfaces, primarily through amide groups. During flow, PAM molecules gradually aggregated and moved as aggregates along the X-axis. In contrast, the PEO system relied on electrostatic forces between water and surfaces, with dynamic processes involving repeated stretching and shrinking of PEO molecular chains to facilitate water flow and enhance wetting. This research contributes to delineating the application conditions and benefits of polymer on wood surfaces, enhancing the efficacy and potential of drag-reducing agents in firefighting applications.

Electrospinning of cellulose nanocrystals; procedure and optimization

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose microfibrils (CMFs) are promising materials with the potential to significantly enhance the mechanical properties of electrospun nanofibers. However, the crucial aspect of optimizing their integration into these nanofibers remains a challenge. In this work, we present a method to prepare and electrospin a cellulosic solution, aiming to overcome the existing challenges and realize the optimized incorporation of CNCs into nanofibers. The solution parameters of electrospinning were explored using a combined experimental and simulation (molecular dynamics) approach. Experimental results emphasize the impact of polymer solution concentration on fiber morphology, reinforcing the need for further optimization. Simulations highlight the intricate factors, including the molecular weight of cellulose acetate (CA) polymer chains, electrostatic fields, and humidity, that impact the alignment of CNCs and CMFs. Furthermore, efforts were made to study CNCs/CMFs alignment rate and quality optimization. It is predicted that pure CNCs benefit more from electrostatic alignment, while lower molecular weight CA enables better CNC/CMF alignment.

Application of Cyrene solvent for the fabrication of polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate and composite films containing hydroxyapatite and diamonds

AbstractCyrene is a new biodegradable solvent, which represents a green alternative to many traditional toxic solvents for advanced polymers. Therefore, this investigation is motivated by interest in applications of Cyrene for polymer processing. The feasibility of solubilization of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyethyl methacrylate (PEMA) in Cyrene is demonstrated. The ability to form relatively concentrated solutions of the high molecular mass polymers is an important factor for the formation of PMMA and PEMA films by a dip coating method. It was found that the polymer coatings provide corrosion protection of stainless steel in 30 g L−1 NaCl solutions. Another important finding is that the use of Cyrene facilitates the fabrication of stable suspensions of hydroxyapatite (HAp), microdiamond, and nanodiamond particles. Therefore, the problems of the dispersant selection for dispersion of chemically inert diamond and development of biocompatible dispersants are avoided using Cyrene. For the fabrication of composite films, HAp nanorods with reduced particle size are obtained using rutin as a chelating capping agent. Composite films containing HAp, microdiamond and nanodiamond in the PMMA or PEMA matrix are obtained. The composite films are promising for biomedical applications. It was found that the film morphology, composition and microstructure are influenced by the solvent–particle–polymer interactions and processing conditions.

Effect of spinning solution concentration of high DP and high S-diad PVA polymer on the structural properties of high-strength and high-modulus PVA fiber

To address the challenge of enhancing the mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber, constrained by the spinning process limitations, this study introduces a PVA/DMSO spinning solution. The solution, with concentrations ranging from 21.0 wt%, utilized PVA polymer (DP of 7499 and S-diad of 53.7 %) as the raw material. This approach facilitated the production of high-strength and high-modulus PVA fibers through a consistent dry-wet spinning method. The viscosity of the spinning solution was determined using a viscometer, while the PVA fibers underwent comprehensive characterization through various testing methodologies. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed an initial increase followed by a decrease in the hydrogen bonding within PVA fibers as the spinning solution concentration increased. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imagery indicated that the surfaces of the PVA fibers were smooth. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses demonstrated that the melting temperature, thermal decomposition temperature, and crystallinity of the PVA fibers exhibited a similar trend of initial increase and subsequent decrease with rising concentrations of the spinning solution. In addition, mechanical tester indicated that when spinning solution concentration was 22.5 wt% the PVA fibers process best mechanical property, and the breaking strength and elastic modulus reached 15.02 ± 0.5 cN/dtex and 357.12 ± 9.4 cN/dtex, respectively.

Mathematical Models for Estimating Diffusion Coefficients in Concentrated Polymer Solutions from Experimental Data

Diffusion processes in operations involving polymeric materials are of significant interest. Determining experimental values for diffusion coefficients is often challenging. Estimating these coefficients in concentrated polymer solution, polymer films, and membranes relies on experimental tests where the polymer is brought into contact with certain components/solvents. The diffusion coefficient values depend on the diffusion type, which is affected mainly by the nature of the polymer, concentration, and temperature. The literature presents an extensive amount of information regarding the diffusion phenomenon. This paper makes a particular contribution by showing how experimental data obtained from different applications can be processed to determine diffusion coefficients. The manuscript addresses some aspects regarding solvent diffusion in polymers, and illustrates how to determine the diffusion coefficients from experimental data. For specific cases of diffusion, several models for the predictive estimation of diffusion coefficients are also presented. Polymer–solvent systems such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–water, cellulose acetate (CA)–tetrahydrofuran (THF) and cellulose triacetate (CTA)–dichloromethane (DCM) are investigated, with their diffusion mechanisms influenced by changes in structure caused by variations in concentration and temperature. The experimental data obtained through a gravitational technique allow for the highlighting of the diffusion mechanism and the selection of an appropriate mathematical model. A change in the structure of the polymer during the experiment leads to diffusion anomalies. Modeling the experimental data yielded diffusion coefficient values that vary based on the type of system investigated, composition and temperature. Thus, in the case of the CTA-DCM system, the diffusion coefficient at 303 K, at various concentration values, is in the range of 4.5 and 8·10−11 m2/s; for the PVA-H2O system, D = 4.1·10−12 m2/s at 303 K, and D = 6.5·10−12 m2/s at 333 K; while for the CA-THF system, the solvent–polymer diffusion coefficient has a value of 2.5∙10−12 m2/s at 303 K, and D = 1.75∙10−11 m2/s at 323 K. Mathematical models can be useful in studies regarding the drying of polymer films with complex structures, providing knowledge for designing or selecting suitable equipment.

Enhancing wearable humidity sensing with conductive PANi-Coated polyurethane nanofibers

This study presents a flexible nanofibrous humidity sensor for wearable applications and smart textiles. The methodology involved fabricating polyurethane (PU) nanofibers via electrospinning, followed by polyaniline (PANi) coating under varied synthesis conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed consistent diameter uniformity in the prepared PU nanofibers. Moreover, an increase in average nanofiber diameter (305 to 539 nm) was observed with rising polymer solution concentration (7% to 9%). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the physical presence of PANi on PU nanofiber surfaces without inducing structural changes. Additionally, the strength of PU nanofibrous samples, with or without PANi coating, increased proportionally with higher PANi and PU polymer concentrations. Electrical conductivity was measured using a four-point device, and surface resistance was assessed across varying humidity levels to study humidity’s impact on samples. Results exhibited a linear relationship between surface electrical resistance and relative humidity changes. Furthermore, the PU and PU/PANi nanofibers exhibit contact angles of 113° and 133°, respectively. The PANi-coated sample is more hydrophobic compared to the uncoated sample. In conclusion, these findings underscore the potential of the developed sensor as a responsive tool for monitoring humidity fluctuations in diverse applications.

Elasto-inertial instability in torsional flows of shear-thinning viscoelastic fluids

It is well known that inertia-free shearing flows of a viscoelastic fluid with curved streamlines, such as the torsional flow between a rotating cone and plate or the flow in a Taylor–Couette geometry, can become unstable to a three-dimensional time-dependent instability at conditions exceeding a critical Weissenberg ( $Wi$ ) number. However, the combined effects of fluid elasticity, shear thinning and finite inertia (as quantified by the Reynolds number $Re$ ) on the onset of elasto-inertial instabilities are not fully understood. Using a set of cone–plate geometries, we experimentally explore the entire $Wi$ – $Re$ phase space for a series of nonlinear viscoelastic fluids (with the dependence on shear rate $\dot{\gamma}$ quantified using a shear-thinning parameter $\beta _P(\dot {\gamma })$ ). We tune $\beta _P(\dot {\gamma })$ by varying the dissolved polymer concentration in solution. This progressively reduces shear thinning but leads to finite inertial effects before the onset of elastic instability, and thus naturally results in elasto-inertial coupling. Time-resolved rheometric measurements and flow visualization experiments allow us to investigate the effects of flow geometry, and document the combined effects of varying $Wi, Re$ and $\beta _P(\dot {\gamma })$ on the emergence of secondary motions at the onset of instability. The resulting critical state diagram quantitatively depicts the competition between the stabilizing effects of shear thinning and the destabilizing effects of inertia. We extend the curved streamline instability criterion of Pakdel & McKinley (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 77, no. 12, 1996, p. 2459) for the onset of purely elastic instability in curvilinear geometries by using scaling arguments to incorporate shear thinning and finite inertial effects. The augmented condition facilitates predictions of the onset of instability over a broader range of flow conditions, and thus bridges the gap between purely elastic and elasto-inertial curved streamline instabilities.

Influence of the solvent removal method on the morphology of polystyrene porous structures prepared via thermally induced phase separation

Thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) allows preparation of nano and micro-porous structured materials for various applications. The literature thoroughly examines the impact of initial polymer solution concentration and cooling rate on the products morphology. On the contrary, the influence of the solvent removal methods was so far researched scarcely. Hence, we compare both qualitatively and quantitatively the effects of the solvent removal method on pore size distribution, structure, porosity, and thermal conductivity. Our study was carried out with samples prepared by TIPS from polystyrene/cyclohexane solutions employing either extraction agent or lyophilization at different solvent removal temperatures. Materials exhibited interconnected pore structure, implying good sound insulation properties, and had low thermal conductivity, offering the combination of thermal and sound insulation in one layer of material. Pore sizes after lyophilization were up to two times larger than after solvent removal by an extraction agent. On the other hand, the use of extraction agent led up to 10% porosity decrease with average porosity after lyophilization being above 82%. Our findings demonstrate that the solvent removal method is an important parameter during TIPS and that pros and cons of both methods should be carefully considered to obtain optimal material and TIPS process economy.

Parameters influencing electrospun nanofiber diameter of polylactide incorporated with cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals

The main purpose of this study was to investigate effects of various electrospinning parameters on the morphology and diameter of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) filled polylactide (PLA) nanofibers. For this purpose, first of all effects of three important electrospinning parameters; polymer solution concentration, solution feeding rate and collector distance to feeding tip were studied. Then, effects of using higher amount of CNF, effects of using cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) particles, and effects of adding potassium chloride salt were also investigated. It was observed that when optimum electrospinning parameters were determined, then it was possible to obtain almost “bead-free” morphology and “finest” average diameter of 232 nm for PLA/CNF electrospun fibers. Increasing values of feeding rate and collector distance parameters resulted in bead formation and thicker diameters. On the other hand, increasing CNF amount, using CNC particles and adding KCl salt, all resulted in further decreases in the diameter down to 152 nm; mainly due to increased charge density of the polymer solution. Moreover, in vitro degradation analysis of all types of electrospun nanofiber mats in a simulated body fluid revealed that increasing the immersion period increased their degradation rate in terms of “% weight loss”. It was also observed that, mats with fine diameter fibers had higher degradation rate.

Rheological properties of polymer solutions and ways to improve the efficiency of development of high-viscosity oil fields in Uzbekistan

The results of experimental research on studying the filtration properties of polymer solutions and the mechanism of the displacement process in porous medium were presented in this article. The methodology of experimental studies in a specially designed laboratory setup is given. In the present work the rheological properties of polymer K-9 are considered. At the same time, the relaxation time of viscoelastic particles of K-9 polymer filtered in porous medium is experimentally found. Also, the results of experimental studies on oil displacement of fields with high content of asphaltene-resinous substances by polymer solutions on artificially created reservoir models to determine the optimal concentration of polymer solution and the size of the rim with the purpose of increasing oil recovery. Experimental studies on displacement of high-viscosity oils with a thickened water rim established that this method gives the greatest increase in water-free and ultimate oil recovery of reservoirs, within the range of change in the concentration of polymer solution 0.2-0.4%, with the size of the rim more than 70% of the oil saturated volume of the reservoir. Studies on displacement of high-viscosity oils by polymer solutions show that the use of this method of increasing oil recovery factor in practice is not always economically feasible, because of the need to ensure high injection pressures and high concentration of expensive polymer solution.

Blade-coated perovskite nanoplatelet polymer composites for sky-blue light-emitting diodes.

Colloidal perovskite nanoplatelets (NPLs) have shown promise in tackling blue light-emitting diode challenges based on their tunable band gap and high photoluminescence efficiencies. However, high quality and large area dense NPL films have been proven to be very hard to prepare because of their chemical and physical fragility during the liquid phase deposition. Herein, we report a perovskite-polymer composite film deposition strategy with fine morphology engineering obtained using the blade coating method. The effects of the polymer type, solution concentration, compounding ratio and film thickness on the film quality are systematically investigated. We found that a relatively high-concentration suspension with an optimized NPL to polymer ratio of 1 : 2 is crucial for the suppression of phase separation and arriving at a uniform film. Finally, sky-blue NPL-based perovskite light-emitting diodes were fabricated by blade coating showing an EQE of 0.12% on a device area of 16 mm2.

Investigating the potential of chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol and activated carbon combinations for antibacterial electrospun fibers

Electrospun fibers have attracted a lot of attention in industries due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications. Chitosan (CS) is a promising polymer for electrospun fibers because it is a natural polymer that can easily biodegraded and has antibacterial compound. Whereas, activated carbon (AC) has been demonstrated as a powerful adsorbent. Thus, this study investigated the optimal concentration of polymer solutions made from combination of CS, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and AC for antibacterial elctrospun fibers. The results show that all polymer solutions with CS and PVA combination have antibacterial properties for E. coli and S. aureus bacteria but showed stronger bactericidal effects with E. coli. Results also revealed that polymer solution with AC have higher inhibition zone compared to polymer solution without AC for both bacteria strains. It can be concluded that the additional of AC into the polymer solution has improved the antibacterial efficiency of CS-PVA solution.

ПОЛИМЕРЛІ ЕРІТІНДІЛЕРДІҢ РЕОЛОГИЯЛЫҚ ҚАСИЕТТЕРІН ЗЕРТТЕУ

Annotation. The long-term operation of the deposit, the alternation of reservoir zones with high and degraded filtration and capacitance properties due to the heterogeneity of the reservoir, the deformation of the development system due to downtime and inactivity of wells predetermined the selective movement of water through the most permeable layers. As practice shows, the widespread use of traditional flooding technology does not ensure the effective production of residual reserves from low-permeable and highly watered formations. Therefore, increasing the degree of oil extraction from the depths of the developed fields using effective methods of active impact on water-oil-saturated formations is an important scientific and technical task facing the oilmen of the republic. One of the most effective and promising methods of stabilizing oil production is physics-chemical technologies based on the use of injection of polymer compositions. The main purpose of injection of polymer compositions is to equalize the heterogeneity of productive layers by reducing the mobility of the displacing agent in highly conductive interlayers and increasing the coverage of the reservoir by flooding both in power and in stretch. As is known, the effectiveness of the use of technologies based on polymer solutions depends on their good selective filterability into zones with high water saturation, which allows creating water-insulating screens in the desired direction and to a sufficient depth. It is known that the effective use of polymer solutions depends on the influence of various factors: molecular weight, polymer concentration in solution, filtration rates, reservoir permeability, as well as such an important parameter as the rheological properties of polymer solutions. The study of the rheological properties of polymer solutions allows us to substantiate and propose for practical implementation effective integrated technologies for increasing oil recovery during the operation of the oil fields under consideration. In this work, the rheological properties of polyacrylamide, physical parameters, taking into account their physics-chemical properties, are studied. The influence of mineralization and water hardness on polymer solutions is considered. The issues of mechanical destruction of polymers have been studied. The degree of mechanical destruction of the polymer is estimated based on the results of the study of the rheological properties of the polymer sample.

Evaporation of Concentrated Polymer Solutions Is Insensitive to Relative Humidity.

A recent theory suggests that the evaporation kinetics of macromolecular solutions is insensitive to the ambient relative humidity (RH) due to the formation of a "polarization layer" of solutes at the air-solution interface. We confirm this insensitivity up to RH≈80% in the evaporation of polyvinyl alcohol solutions from open-ended capillaries. To explain the observed drop in evaporation rate at higher RH, we need to invoke compressive stresses due to interfacial polymer gelation. Moreover, RH-insensitive evaporation sets in earlier than theory predicts, suggesting a further role for a gelled "skin." We discuss the relevance of these observations for respiratory virus transmission via aerosols.

An improved study of near-well zone flooding for polymer solution through the mechanical shearing and forchheimer flow simulation

Polymer flooding is a vital tertiary oil recovery technology that maintains stable oilfield production during high water cut periods. This technique involves improving the viscosity of injection fluids by using polymer solutions, which help reduce the mobility ratio of oil and water, expand sweep efficiency, and increase swept area. However, highly viscous polymer solutions form complex spatial structures between and within molecules, which leads to significant viscosity loss rates in the near-wellbore region at the well injection end. To address this issue, a near-wellbore shear device with nozzle completion was built to study the shear effects of two types of polymers. The study revealed that the polymer solutions destroyed intermolecular and intramolecular structures after shearing, causing the water cut curves to shift up and left. Based on the Brinkman equation of COMSOL Multiphysics's Carreau model, the percolation model of polymer solution in the near-well zone was constructed. COMSOL simulation results also demonstrated that high-speed shearing at the nozzle orifice was the primary cause of shear degradation. Therefore, it is essential to adopt reasonable injection intensities and proper polymer solution concentrations in oilfields to maximize oil recovery and minimize production costs. This is of crucial engineering significance in guiding oilfield production and optimizing injection parameters and processes.

Optimizing Well Completion for Polymer Flooding in Conjunction with Waterflood Flow Control Valves

This work presents the proposal design for the completion of a polymer flooding injector well with waterflood flow regulator valves (FRV) in a Colombian field, based on experimental evaluations at the laboratory, intending to reduce the mechanical degradation suffered by the polymer solution at the time of injection, which allows to maintain the design parameters of the improved recovery project and reach the expected recovery factor. An analysis of the parameters and variables that influence the mechanical degradation of the polymer solution during the injection process (polymer solution concentration and the diameters of the FRV) was carried out using one laboratory methodology based on the recommended practices for the evaluation of polymers used in enhanced oil recovery operations API RP63. This work focuses on the following highlights: Evaluation of a waterflood flow regulator valve through experimental tests for polymer flooding and the designing of an initial well completion strategy to minimize mechanical degradation. The proposed valve and diameter resulted in a reduction of only 15 percentage points in the mechanical degradation of the polymeric solution when compared to a commercial water valve.