Mechanism of polymer chemical degradation

The main objective in this section is to look at the degradation mechanisms for xanthan and partially hydrolysed polyacrylamide in more detail. The mechanisms of both short-term oxidative attack and longer term hydrolysis and/or precipitation are discussed. A study of these mechanisms gives some helpful pointers towards molecular modifications which may improve the stability of new polymers for oil recovery applications. 

The work of Moradi-Araghi and Doe (1984) is more appropriate to the actual processes experienced by polyacrylamide injected into a reservoir in a hard brine at elevated temperatures. They examined hardness levels (using equal concentrations of Mg and Ca ) over the entire range from 1 to 

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