Particle polymer thickener

Figure 2.15 Equal volumes of a polymer-thickened dispersion. When the particles are aggregated there is a larger solvent volume available to the polymer molecules...

There are three chapters in this volume, two of which address the microscale. Ploehn and Russel address the Interactions Between Colloidal Particles and Soluble Polymers, which is motivated by advances in statistical mechanics and scaling theories, as well as by the importance of numerous polymeric flocculants, dispersants, surfactants, and thickeners. How do polymers thicken ketchup Adler, Nadim, and Brenner address Rheological Models of Suspensions, a closely related subject through fluid mechanics, statistical physics, and continuum theory. Their work is also inspired by industrial processes such as paint, pulp and paper, and concrete and by natural systems such as blood flow and the transportation of sediment in oceans and rivers. Why did doctors in the Middle Ages induce bleeding in their patients in order to thin their blood ... 

There are also cleaners that are formulated with polymer thickeners to reduce misting [326], In this case, the object is to increase the particle size of the droplets formed upon spraying so as to decrease the number of droplets that will continue to float in the air. The longer a particle floats, the more likely that a consumer... 

In addition to the normal problems of completely dissolving particles of water-thickening polymers, xanthan gum contains insoluble residues which decrease polymer injectivity. Various methods of reducing insolubles content and improving xanthan solution injectivity are available (80—87). None appears economically viable. Oxygen scavengers (88) and bactericides (77,89) are commonly used to stabili2e injected polyacrylamide and xanthan gum solutions (90—102). 

Aqueous dispersions are alternatives to solutions of Hquid and soHd resins. They are usuaUy offered in 50% soHds and may contain thickeners and cosolvents as stabilizers and to promote coalescence. Both heat-reactive (resole) and nonheat-reactive (novolak) systems exist that contain unsubstituted or substituted phenols or mixtures. A related technology produces large, stable particles that can be isolated as discrete particles (44). In aqueous dispersion, the resin stmcture is designed to produce a hydrophobic polymer, which is stabilized in water by an interfacial agent. 

Fluid loss additives such as solid particles and water-thickening polymers may be added to the drilling mud to reduce fluid loss from the well bore to the formation. Insoluble and partially soluble fluid loss additives include bentonite and other clays, starch from various sources, crushed walnut hulls, lignite treated with caustic or amines, resins of various types, gilsonite, benzoic acid flakes, and carefully sized particles of calcium borate, sodium borate, and mica. Soluble fluid loss additives include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), low molecular weight hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), carboxy-methYlhydroxyethyl cellulose (CMHEC), and sodium acrylate. A large number of water-soluble vinyl copolymers and terpolymers have been described as fluid loss additives for drilling and completion fluids in the patent literature. However, relatively few appear to be used in field operations. 

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