Polymer Xanthan Gum Research Articles

Study of Drug Release of Diclofenac Sodium Matrix Tablets Using Synergistic Effect of HPMC and Xanthan Gum Polymer

Aims: To check the release efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients from tablet dosage form using synthetic and natural polymers. Background: Diclofenac sodium in sustained release manner tablets was created by Xanthan gum, HPMC, and mixed with both polymers to change the concentration ratio. The dosage form of the tablet was examined for the early stage formulation studies such as repose angle, apparent density, compressibility index, and some corporal properties like weight variant, friability, and content of the drug. For post-formulation studies, like in-vitro studies were implemented in a solution of phosphate buffer pH 7.4 for 8 hours. All the corporal properties of the diclofenac sodium tablets were within the limit of tolerance. Objective: The study checked the Diclofenac Sodium release kinetics from synthetic and natural polymer-modified tablets. Method: Following the wet granulation method, we prepared a diclofenac sodium tablet using HPMC and Xanthan Gum Polymer Result: The tablet that contained both HPMC and Xanthan gum (Batch C-I and C-II) shows the best drug content than other polymer-based batches like HPMC (Batch A-I, A-II) and Xanthan gum (Batch B-I, B-II). The great sustained drug release was shown in the HPMC and Xanthan gum mixed polymer-based matrix tablet (Batch C-I). The data showed that the mixing of polymers could lead to sustaining drug release from the formulation. Conclusion: From the research, we can conclude that the diclofenac release % was maximum when we used a combination of both polymers in the tablet dosage form.

A comparative analysis of alpha olefin sulfonate and dodecyl sulfate in aphronic fluid containing xanthan gum in a wide range of temperatures

Geothermal energy, oil industry, and underground gas storage technology require deep drilling. Although oil-based drilling fluids have been widely used, they cause environmental issues. Environmentally friendly Aphronic fluid has emerged as an alternative to oil-based drilling fluid. Despite various investigations on Aphron’s performance, the effect of temperature has not yet been comprehensively studied. In this study, Aphronic fluid was developed with xanthan gum (XG) as a polymer and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS) as a surfactant. Furthermore, another Aphronic fluid was developed with xanthan gum (XG) as a polymer and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a surfactant. This study evaluates their rheological properties, including shear rate (ranging from 0.1 to 10 s− 1), across a range of temperatures (25 ℃, 49 ℃, 71 ℃, and 93 ℃). Stability testing was conducted at ambient temperature, and rheology tests were performed at various temperatures. It was found that the rheological properties decrease as the temperature increases. An increase in the temperature and shear rate decreases the viscosity of the drilling fluid. AOS demonstrated higher stability and less reduction in rheological properties at elevated temperatures than SDS. This difference can be attributed to SDS’s tendency to denature the XG polymer, leading to a notable decrease in viscosity. Maintaining viscosity is crucial for fluid stability and enhancement of rheological properties. Moreover, the best stability was achieved at 1.5 times the critical micelle concentration (CMC). This behavior is consistent with the Gibbs elasticity theory, indicating that the optimal concentration for both AOS and SDS surfactants is 1.5 times the CMC. Deviation from this optimal concentration resulted in decreased system stability. The determination of the CMC value showed a broader region rather than a singular point, potentially confirming the Gibbs-Marangoni theory. The implications of this research underscore the importance of selecting the appropriate Aphronic fluid formula for drilling operations to ensure stability and rheological properties conducive to overcoming reservoir pressure and accurately facilitating the cutting transfer process. This research highlights the need to choose the right Aphronic fluid formula for drilling. Using the right formula helps in drilling to ensure stability and rheological properties conducive to overcoming reservoir pressure and accurately facilitating the cutting transfer process.

Electrokinetic flow instabilities in shear thinning fluids with conductivity gradients.

Instabilities in the form of periodic or irregular waves at the fluid interface have been demonstrated in microchannel electrokinetic flows with conductivity gradients when the applied electric field is above a threshold value. Most prior studies on electrokinetic instabilities (EKI) are restricted to Newtonian fluids though many of the chemical and biological samples in microfluidic applications exhibit non-Newtonian characteristics. We present in this work an experimental study of the effects of fluid shear thinning on the development of EKI waves through the addition of a small amount of xanthan gum (XG) polymer to both the high- and low-concentration Newtonian buffer solutions. The threshold electric field for the onset of EKI in the XG solution is significantly lower than in the Newtonian solution. However, the propagation speed, amplitude and frequency of EKI waves in the former are all smaller. Increasing the polymer concentration reduces the threshold electric field and as well the critical electric Rayleigh number that considers the fluid property variations in XG solutions. This decreasing trend indicates the enhancing effect of fluid shear thinning on EKI, which is qualitatively consistent with a recent numerical prediction. However, the measured wave properties all follow a non-monotonic trend with XG concentration, different from the continuously decreasing electroosmotic velocity.

Long-Term Stable and Multifeature Microfluidic Impedance Flow Cytometry Based on a Constricted Channel for Single-Cell Mechanical Phenotyping.

The microfluidic impedance flow cytometer (m-IFC) using constricted microchannels is an appealing choice for the high-throughput measurement of single-cell mechanical properties. However, channels smaller than the cells are susceptible to irreversible blockage, extremely affecting the stability of the system and the throughput. Meanwhile, the common practice of extracting a single quantitative index, i.e., total cell passage time, through the constricted part is inadequate to decipher the complex mechanical properties of individual cells. Herein, this study presents a long-term stable and multifeature m-IFC based on a constricted channel for single-cell mechanical phenotyping. The blockage problem is effectively overcome by adding tiny xanthan gum (XG) polymers. The cells can pass through the constricted channel at a flow rate of 500 μL/h without clogging, exhibiting high throughput (∼240 samples per second) and long-term stability (∼2 h). Moreover, six detection regions were implemented to capture the multiple features related to the whole process of a single cell passing through the long-constricted channel, e.g., creep, friction, and relaxation stages. To verify the performance of the multifeature m-IFC, cells treated with perturbations of microtubules and microfilaments within the cytoskeleton were detected, respectively. It suggests that the extracted features provide more comprehensive clues for single-cell analysis in structural and mechanical transformation. Overall, our proposed multifeature m-IFC exhibits the advantages of nonclogging and high throughput, which can be extended to other cell types for nondestructive and real-time mechanical phenotyping in cost-effective applications.

Feasibility of using polymers to improve foam flow performance in vertical pipes: Application to liquid unloading in gas wells

Foam unloading is a cost-effective technique for removing liquid from low-energy gas wells, but it faces challenges due to thefoam stability at the wellbore. Surfactants alone struggle to create and maintain durable foam films under wellbore conditions. Polymers are known to enhance foam stability by increasing lamella thickness and viscosity, however their impact on foam unloading has not been well explored. This study investigates the effects of Xanthan Gum (XG) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers on stability and unloading efficiency of the foams made by Alkyl Polyglycoside surfactant. The research evaluates foam stability and examines the bubble size and lamella thickness under varying salinity conditions. Additionally, the study estimates foam unloading efficiency by determining unloaded mass rate, critical gas velocity and Weber number. Results show that polymer concentration, type and molecular weight significantly affect foam morphology and stability. Xanthan Gum at 1000 ppm demonstrated the smallest bubble size and greatest foam stability. This concentration also achieved the highest unloaded mass, 30 % more than the surfactant-only case. Regarding the molecular weight of the polymers, HPVP demonstrated an ability to generate smaller bubbles in comparison with LPVP. Consequently, HPVP exhibited superior performance in liquid unloading, surpassing LPVP by a margin of 8.5 %. The addition of polymers reduced critical gas velocity, with 1000 ppm of XG yielding the lowest value. Initially, the Weber numbers for polymer-stabilised foams were higher than the surfactant-only case (XG: 208.01, LPVP: 17.70, HPVP: 26.38 vs. APG: 2.25) due to the Marangoni effect but decreased during the unloading process (XG: 788.58, LPVP: 1850.26, HPVP: 1702.01 vs. base case: 4046.42), indicating improved stability and performance. Overall, the study demonstrates that polymers can significantly improve foam stability and performance, maintaining foam integrity throughout the unloading process if engineered properly prior to their application.

Synergistic enhancement of oil recovery: Integrating anionic-nonionic surfactant mixtures, SiO2 nanoparticles, and polymer solutions for optimized crude oil extraction

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are essential for optimizing oil extraction from modern reservoirs. This research delved into the synergistic impact of combining anionic and nonionic surfactant mixtures with silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) in sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, alongside the added enhancement of polymers, to improve crude oil recovery. The study comprehensively evaluated stability, rheological characteristics, interfacial tension (IFT) behavior, wettability alterations, and EOR experiments using mixtures of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and triton X-100 (TX-100) surfactants. Scenarios both with and without SiO2 NPs in a base solution containing 3000 ppm NaCl and 2000 ppm xanthan gum (XG) polymer were examined. Core flooding tests were carried out on San-Saba sandstone core specimens with low permeability. The stability tests and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis were performed to assess the stability of NPs in low saline-surfactant-polymer solution. It was observed that NPs significantly reduced the IFT between the test solutions and crude oil, with nanofluids exhibiting satisfactory stability at a 0.4 wt% SiO2 NPs concentration. Core flooding studies demonstrated a synergistic interaction between NPs and the binary surfactant-polymer mixture, resulting in substantially greater incremental recovery of oil in comparison with the case of using binary surfactant-polymer combination alone. The mechanisms contributing to EOR with nanofluids, such as IFT reduction and wettability alteration, were explored. Incorporating NPs at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 wt% led to incremental oil recoveries of 4.01 %, 12.35 %, and 12.73 % of the original oil in place (OOIP), respectively, as opposed to the recovery achieved using only SDS + TX-100 + XG. Consequently, these findings advance the understanding of the potential application of SiO2 NPs in combination with the binary surfactant-polymer mixture as effective chemical EOR agents. Additionally, these insights aid in identifying suitable sandstone reservoirs for nanofluid application, contributing to the optimization of oil recovery strategies.

Potential of polymer’s viscosity and viscoelasticity for accessible oil recovery during low salinity polymer flooding in heterogeneous carbonates

Despite the usual improvement in sweep efficiency during polymer flooding, the polymer’s viscoelastic characteristics were reported to contribute to residual oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs at high flux conditions. In carbonate reservoirs, besides high-salinity, high-temperature, and non-water-wet nature, heterogeneity is a key variable that may impair the viscoelastic fluid flow in the porous media and recovery performance. However, no attempts were made to study the polymer’s viscoelastic influence on residual oil recovery in heterogeneous carbonate formations and the objective of this paper is to systematically examine the recovery performance of high molecular weight viscoelastic sulfonated polymer (AN-125-SH) in comparison to viscous xanthan gum polymer with the low salinity injection water of 5957 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS) in heterogeneous outcrop carbonate rocks at fluxes ranging from shear thinning to shear thickening using the combination of bulk shear rheometry, NMR, single-phase in-situ studies and two-phase core flooding experiments.Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging ensured that the chosen cores are characterized with similar pore-size distribution. The steady-shear rheological experiments showed that 2500 ppm AN-125-SH polymer exhibits a lower viscosity at the lower shear rate and an early shear thickening (indicating higher non-linear viscoelasticity) than 2000 ppm xanthan gum. Then single-phase flow experiments are conducted using two polymer systems to determine the desired flux rates before the eventual multi-rate two-phase core flood experiments. Core flooding results revealed following an extensive secondary water flooding, at the shear thinning flux of 4 ft/day, 2000 ppm high viscous xanthan gum injection leads to an incremental recovery factor of 8.3 % with the generated pressure gradient of 20.48 psi/ft compared to 3.6 % recovery obtained using 2500 ppm AN 125-SH polymer with a pressure gradient of 16.2 psi/ft. However, at shear thickening fluxes of 20 ft/day and 30.5 ft/day, the higher elastic polymer enhanced the recovery by 3.3 % and 1.2 %, respectively. Conversely, the less elastic xanthan gum showed minimal to no incremental recovery at these fluxes.The novel findings of this work convey that the viscosity of xanthan gum provides a comparative advantage over the viscoelasticity of synthetic sulfonated polymers on oil recovery at relatively low fluxes in the studied heterogeneous formation at low salinity conditions.

Experimental Investigation on the Effect of the Aphron Drilling Fluid in Mitigating Formation Damage of Dawood Bai-Hassan Reservoir

Drilling fluid is one of the crucial parts of the drilling operation and has a significant role in carrying rock cuttings to the surface, stabilizing the wall of the borehole and controlling formation pressure. Most of the depleted reservoirs drilled by water-based drilling fluid are subjected to high overbalance pressures due to the difference in density of drilling fluid compared with the formation fluid. This overbalance pressure creates the lost circulation of mud, pipes sticking and formation damage. Underbalanced drilling can be considered to eliminate the above-mentioned problems. However, it has safety issues and prohibitive in many depleted fields. This study focuses on the development of the Aphrons-based drilling fluid from adding two types of surfactants (City-Termidyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) as a stabilizer, and Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfate ( SDBS) as a generator) and xanthan gum (XC) polymer to be used for drilling of Dawood Bai-Hassan Reservoir. (20) samples of Aphrons drilling fluids were formulated at different concentration of xanthan gum (0.2 and 0.4 wt.%), CTAB (0.2 and 0.4 wt.%) and SDBS (0.1 to 1 wt.%). All the developed drilling fluids subjected different experiments of rheological and filtration properties. The obtaining results show that better rheological behavior were obtained with adjusting the concentration of the used additives as 0.4 wt.% xanthan gum, 0.2 wt.% CTAB and 0.4 wt. SDBS when achieved and added to the base drilling fluid. The results showed that (XC) Polymer combination with surfactants (CTAB and SDBS) have a major effect on mud filtration at even under-surface conditions, where it was lowered by 47% at surface ( 20°C, 100 psi) and lowered by 41.67%, 50% at conditions 60 °C, 90 °C (600 psi) temperature respectively. In addition, for maintaining other mud properties such as viscosity, yield point, gel strength and cleaning capacity as well.

Biological investigation of a novel nanocomposite based on xanthan gum-alginate hydrogel/PVA, incorporated with ZnMnFe2O4 nanoparticles

In light of the need to create new materials that are safe for use in biomedical applications like wound healing and tissue engineering, a unique nanocomposite was formulated and produced in the current investigation. A biocompatible hydrogel was created using natural polymers xanthan gum (XG) and alginate (Alg). In order to enhance the mechanical characteristics of the natural polymer-based hydrogels, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was added to the hydrogel matrix. Subsequently, the XG-Alg hydrogel/PVA structure was combined with ZnMnFe2O4 nanoparticles in order to augment the antibacterial efficacy of the biomaterial. The XG-Alg hydrogel/PVA/ZnMnFe2O4 nanocomposite was analyzed using XRD, EDX, FT-IR, TGA, and FE-SEM techniques to determine its properties. In addition, the mechanical properties of the pure hydrogel were compared to those of the XG-Alg hydrogel/PVA/ZnMnFe2O4 nanocomposite. The nanocomposite exhibited a biocompatibility of 96.45 % and 94.32 % with HEK293T cell lines after 24 h and 48 h of incubation, respectively, in biological evaluations. Furthermore, a significant antibacterial efficacy was demonstrated against both gram-positive S. aureus and gram-negative E. coli bacteria. The findings suggest that the developed XG-Alg hydrogel/PVA/ZnMnFe2O4 nanocomposite has promising qualities for use in biomedical fields, such as tissue engineering.

Pressure Changes Across a Membrane Formed by Coacervation of Oppositely Charged Polymer-Surfactant Systems.

We investigate the mass transfer and membrane growth processes during capsule formation by the interaction of the biopolymer xanthan gum with CnTAB surfactants. When a drop of xanthan gum polymer solution is added to the surfactant solution, a membrane is formed by coacervation. It encapsulates the polymer drop in the surfactant solution. The underlying mechanisms and dynamic processes during capsule formation are not yet understood in detail. Therefore, we characterized the polymer-surfactant complex formation during coacervation by measuring the surface tension and surface elasticity at the solution-air interface for different surfactant chain lengths and concentrations. The adsorption behavior of the mixed polymer-surfactant system at the solution-air interface supports the understanding of observed trends during the capsule formation. We further measured the change in capsule pressure over time and simultaneously imaged the membrane growth via confocal microscopy. The cross-linking and shrinkage during the membrane formation by coacervation leads to an increasing tensile stress in the elastic membrane, resulting in a rapid pressure rise. Afterward, the pressure gradually decreases and the capsule shrinks as water diffuses out. This is not only due to the initial capsule overpressure but also due to osmosis caused by the higher ionic strength of the surfactant solution outside the capsule compared to the polymer solution inside the capsule. The influence of polymer concentration and surfactant type and concentration on the pressure changes and the membrane structure are studied in this work, providing detailed insights into the dynamic membrane formation process by coacervation. This knowledge can be used to produce capsules with tailored membrane properties and to develop a suitable encapsulation protocol in technological applications. The obtained insights into the mass transfer of water across the capsule membrane are important for future usage in separation techniques and the food industry and allow us to better predict the capsule time stability.

Evaluation of the Viscosity of Terrafloc Polymer and Xanthan Gum Polymer

Evaluation of the Viscosity of Terrafloc Polymer and Xanthan Gum Polymer

Optimization and characterization of xanthan gum based multiparticulate formulation for colon targeting

To optimize and characterize xanthan gum multi-particulate formulation for colon targeting, which increases the residence time at the absorbing surface of the colon. Xanthan gum was dispersed in cold water containing drug and was permitted to expand for 2 ​h. Sodium alginate was blended well in 10 ​ml of water. Xanthan gum solution containing the drug was added to sodium alginate solution and 0.3 ​ml of glutaraldehyde was added to the dispersion, with constant stirring. Then, polymer-drug solution was added dropwise into 5% w/v calcium chloride solution with continuous stirring, producing microspheres filtered by Whatman filter paper and dried at 30 ​°C–40 ​°C. Microspheres were performed by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, which increased the maximum drug entrapment efficiency up to 73.63 ​± ​0.65% with an increasing concentration of xanthan gum polymer 0.7% w/v for the optimized F6 batch. Better results were found by increasing the polymer concentration along with the glutaraldehyde concentration. The kinetics of drug release for the F6 batch was considered as an optimized batch because the regression value was found to be 0.997 in the peppas model. The accelerated stability study on the optimized F6 batch performed to learn whether the drug has any change during its period of usability. The polysaccharide remains intact in the stomach and intestine and the drug was released in the colon with low toxicity and biodegradability. The present studies showed that optimizing and characterizing xanthan gum multi-particulate formulation for colon targeting gives metronidazole the most effective and controlled delivery.

Effect of Xanthan gum seed coating on seed germination and seedling vigour of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Six Hydrophilic polymers Xanthan Gum, Iota Carrageenan, Kappa Carrageenan, Agar Agar, Food grade Agar and Gellan Gum were studied for polymerization potential and water holding capacities. Among the six polymers, Xanthan gum and Iota Carageenan recorded the maximum values for water holding capacities of 38.27 ml/g and 34.17 ml/g and were forwarded for the Seed coating experiment. Coating experiments consist of twodosages of polymer powders (10g, and 20g /kg) and two concentrations of sticking agent (water 5ml and 10 ml). Coated seeds exposed to seed germination studies against untreated seeds. Results revealed that Finger millet seeds coated with 20 g Xanthan gum + 10 ml water as sticker recorded the maximum values for seed germination (87%), seedling length (26.23cm), dry matter production (12.47mg 10 seedlings-1)and Vigour Index I (2282) and II (1084).The % increase over the control was 7 for seed germination, 56 for seedling length (cm), 21 for dry matter production (mg) ,69 for seedling vigour index I and 31for seedling vigour index II. From the studies it could be concluded that Finger millet seeds coated with the Xanthangum @20 g can be recommended as pre sowing seed treatment for improving the Seed Germination and seedling vigour.

Colloidal Properties of Polymer Amended Cyprus Bentonite for Water-Based Drilling Fluid Applications

In this work, we investigate the capability of a waste bentonite from the Polycanthos quarry in Cyprus, as a low-density solid additive to create colloids that are used in water-based drilling fluid systems (WBF) in drilling operations. Repurposing waste bentonite aligns with environmental sustainability and when properly processed can serve as a cost-effective solution to achieve the desired colloidal properties for WBF. Samples were obtained from waste stockpiles and were mechanically processed to a size < 63 μm. The material was activated with soda ash via three different methods investigating optimum soda ash percentage and curing time. Standard tests were performed for the rheological behavior and filtration properties and the results indicated that the quality of the activated clay dispersions improved slightly but the desired colloidal properties were not obtained. This can be attributed to the K+-rich clay and non-clay impurities that are inherent in the material so further amendment with xanthan gum polymer was conducted, at various concentrations. Results of this work show that with minor polymer addition, the material under investigation reaches the desired colloidal properties and qualifies according to API standards for WBF. Exploiting local waste clay material in WBF application leads to the development and sustainability of local resources thus contributing to the circular economy principle.

Structural and electrical properties of cross-linked blends of Xanthan gum and polyvinylpyrrolidone-based solid polymer electrolyte

Structural and electrical properties of cross-linked blends of Xanthan gum and polyvinylpyrrolidone-based solid polymer electrolyte

Ultra‐Fine Nano‐Mg(OH)2 Electrodeposited in Flexible Confined Space and its Enhancement of the Performance of LiFePO4 Lithium‐Ion Batteries

AbstractTo improve the Li‐ion diffusion and extreme‐environment performance of LiFePO4 (LFP) lithium‐ion batteries, a composite cathode material is fabricated using ultra‐fine nano‐Mg(OH)2 (MH). First, a flexible confined space is designed in the local area of the cathode surface, through the transition of charged xanthan gum polymer molecules under electric field force and the self‐assembly of the xanthan gum network. Then, the 20 nm nano‐Mg(OH)2 is prepared through cathodic electrodeposition within the local flexible confined space, and subsequent in situ surface modification as it traverses the xanthan gum network under gravity. LFP‐MH significantly changes the density and homogeneity of the cathode electrolyte interphase film and improves the electrolyte affinity. The Li||LFP‐MH half‐cell demonstrates excellent rate capability (110 mAh g−1 at 5 C) and long‐term cycle performance (116.6 mAh g−1 at 1 C after 1000 cycles), and maintains over 100 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles at 60 °C, as well as no structural collapse of the cathode material after 400 cycles at 5 V high cut‐off voltage. The cell also shows an obvious decrease in inner resistance after 100 cycles (99.53/133.12 Ω). This work provides a significant advancement toward LiFePO4 lithium‐ion batteries with excellent electrochemical performance and tolerance to extreme‐environment.

Experimental investigation on the characteristics of XG/GG/HPAM gel foam and prevention of coal spontaneous combustion

Polymer gel foam shows excellent development potential and application prospects in the prevention of coal spontaneous combustion. To reveal the relationship between the characteristics of gel foam and the prevention of coal spontaneous combustion, XG/GG/HPAM gel foam consisting of polymer xanthan gum (XG), guar gum (GG), and polyacrylamide (HPAM) is prepared. The characteristics of gel foam are investigated in terms of microstructure, viscosity, thermal stability, and film-forming. The effects of gel foam on gas products, characteristic temperature, combustion characteristics parameters, and functional groups during coal oxidation are studied. The results show that polymer delays the foam coarsening and improves the foam stability. XG/GG/HPAM gel foam exhibits a slow foam coarsening process, concentrated bubble diameter distribution, shear-thinning behavior, excellent thermal stability, and film-forming properties. Moreover, the inhibition rate of XG/GG/HPAM gel foam on coal is 43.63% higher than that of ordinary foam. XG/GG/HPAM gel foam effectively improves the apparent activation energy of coal, the maximum weight loss rate of the coal is decreased by 7.55%, and the combustibility, combustion stability, and comprehensive combustion index are diminished by 8.50%, 7.64%, and 10.17%, respectively. Simultaneously, XG/GG/HPAM gel foam reduces the oxidation activity of aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing functional groups in coal, blocks the chain reaction, and thus inhibits coal spontaneous combustion. The results provide support for achieving efficient fire prevention performance of gel foam.

DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION BASED ON XANTHAN GUM AND LIGNOSULPHONATES FOR DRILLING MUD TREATMENT

One of the main directions in improving drilling fluid formulations is the use of polymeric agents that enhance their technological properties by selecting the optimal concentration and assessing the conditions of their use with other components. To improve drilling efficiency, it is proposed to introduce drilling fluids based on xanthan gum and lignosulfonate polymer.

Rheological Properties of Gel Foam Co-Stabilized with Nanoparticles, Xanthan Gum, and Multiple Surfactants.

Gel foam has the advantages of gel and foam and shows good prospects for applications in the fields of fire prevention and extinguishing. Rheology has a significant impact on the application of gel foam, but there is little related research. In the present study, hydrophilic silica nanoparticles (NPs) and water-soluble polymer xanthan gum (XG) were combined with fluorocarbon surfactant (FS-50) and hydrocarbon surfactant (APG0810) to create gel foam. The foaming ability and foam drainage were evaluated. The gel foam's rheology, including its flow behavior and viscoelasticity, was systematically investigated. The results show that the foaming of the FS-50/APG0810 mixture decreases but the foam drainage increases in the presence of NPs and/or XG. All of the foams belong to the category of non-Newtonian fluids with shear thinning behavior. The flow curves of the foams are consistent with the Cross model. The presence of XG/NPs enhanced the foam viscoelasticity of the FS-50/APG0810 mixture. The silica NPs showed a better ability to enhance foam viscoelasticity but a worse ability to stabilize the foam compared to XG. This research can offer theoretical support for the industrial usage of gel foam.

Performance of eco-friendly polymers for soil stabilization and their resistance to freeze–thaw action

Soil improvement methods using environmentally friendly additives have gained popularity with increased environmental awareness. In the future, environmentally friendly polymers can be preferred in the stabilization of many geotechnical applications like the base of roads, landfills, and sub-base of foundations. This means the mechanical properties of these eco-friendly polymers should be investigated in detail. For this purpose, changes in the mechanical properties of specimens treated with different polymer types under freeze–thaw action were investigated. Three types of polymers which are xanthan gum, guar gum, and anionic polyacrylamide polymer were used to improve the strength properties of kaolin clay. The specimens were prepared in 3 different anionic polymer contents and 4 different biopolymer content. After 7, 14, and 28-day curing periods specimens were subjected to 5 and 10 cycles of freezing–thawing to observe freeze–thaw action by conducting unconfined compression tests and the control specimens were directly subjected to unconfined compression tests after the curing period. Regarding the outcomes obtained, both synthetic and biological polymer use induced strength gain. Guar gum which is a biological polymer is the most effective that improves the strength by around 8 times than pure clay. This increment ratio varied between 2 and 3.5 times in polyacrylamide polymer, which is a greater strength increase than in previous studies. In addition, curing time has no significant effect on strength gain in anionic polyacrylamide-contained specimens. It was also observed that freezing–thawing caused a drastic reduction in strength by around 5 to 60%, however, the anionic polymer is the most resistant to freeze–thaw considering the strength loss. As a result, eco-friendly polymers are suitable in regions exposed to freeze–thaw action between the seasons.