Viscosity with bentonite

A modified saturated saltwater mud is prepared with bentonite clay by a special technique. First, bentonite is hydrated in freshwater, then treated with lignosulfonate and caustic soda. This premix is then mixed with saltwater (one-part premix to three-part saltwater). The mixture builds up a satisfactory viscosity and develops filtration control. Thinning of the mud is accomplished by saltwater dilutions additional premix is required for viscosity and water loss control. 

For low solids muds with bentonite extenders the API filtration rate is approximately twice that which would be obtained using a conventional clay/ water mud having the same apparent viscosity. 

The low shear rheology measurements also show a rapid increase in the viscoelastic properties (modulus and zero shear viscosity) with increase of bentonite concentration above the gel point (> 30 g dm bentonite). Several models have been proposed to account for the elastic properties of concentrated dispersions, of which that originally proposed by van den Tempel (25) and later developed by Papenhuizen (26) seems to be the most appropriate for the present system. According to this model, if the interaction energy minimum between adjacent particles is sufficiently negative, a three-dimensional network structure may ensue, giving an elastic component. Various models can be used to represent the three dimensional structure, the simplest of which would be either an ideal network where all particles are... 

The increase in gel strength with increase in bentonite concentration above the gel point is consistent with the increase in yield value and modulus. On the other hand, the limited creep measurements carried out on the present suspension showed a high residual viscosity Oq of the order of 9000 Nm s when the bentonite concentration was 45g dm. As recently pointed out by Buscall et al (27) the settling rate in concentrated suspensions depends on 0. With a model system of polystyrene latex (of radius 1.55 vim and density 1.05 g cm ) which was thickened with ethyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, a zero shear viscosity of lONm was considered to be sufficient to reduce settling of the suspension with = 0.05. The present pesticide system thickened with bentonite gave values that are fairly high and therefore no settling was observed. 

Bheopectic Fluids. Rheopectic fluids are characterized by an increase in their viscosity with time at a constant shear rate and fixed temperature. As for a thixotropic fluid, a hysteresis loop is also formed with a rheopectic fluid if it is sheared from a low to a high shear rate and back to a low shear rate. However, a different rate is usually followed upon lowering the shear rate, as is shown in Figure 3. Bentonite clay suspensions and sols are typical examples of rheopectic fluids (3). 

In addition to the traditional use in paints as viscosity regulator, bentonite is currently used in the development of new materials with nanocomposite structures. 

Arheopectic pigmented bleach (alkali metal hypochlorite) hard surface cleaner formulated with bentonite clay is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,688,435. Examples of time-dependent shear effects determined from constant shear rate measurements at 1, 10, 50, and 100 sec-1 are provided in the patent and shown in Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3. The viscosity data show evidence of shear thickening as a function of time at constant shear rates of 1 and 10 sec-1 and thixotropy occurs at 50 and 100 sec-1. The formulation is rheopectic at 10 sec-1. Dynamic mechanical data are also contained in the patent and the storage and loss modulus as a function of strain amplitude is shown in Figure 4.4, for one patent example. 

To prepare stable emulsions ia this way gelation of the continuous medium is necessary. The appearance of a Hquid emulsion may be retained by choosing a polymer for the continuous phase, giving a thixotropic solution with short breakdown and buildup times. The polymers used for this purpose are natural gums (qv) or synthetic polymers. Clay particles also act as viscosity enhancers. The members of the bentonite family derived from... 

Dispersed Noninhibited Systems. Drilling fluid systems typically used to drill the upper hole sections are described as dispersed noninhibited systems. They would typically be formulated with freshwater and can often derive many of their properties from dispersed drilled solids or bentonite. They would not normally be weighted to above 12 Ib/gal and the temperature limitation would be in the range of 176-194°F. The flow properties are controlled by a deflocculant, or thinner, and the fluid loss is controlled by the addition of bentonite and low viscosity CMC derivatives. 

Seawater muds are composed of bentonite, thinner (lignosulfonate or lignosulfonate and lignite), and an organic filtration control agent. The typical formulation of a seawater mud is 3.5 Ib/bbl of alkali (2 Ib/bbl caustic soda and 1.5 Ib/bbl lime), 8 to 12 Ib/bbl of lignosulfonate, and 2 to 4 Ib/bbl of bentonite to maintain viscosity and filtration. Another approach is to use bentonite/thinner (ligno-sulfonate)/freshwater premix, and mix it with seawater that has been treated for hardness. This technique will be discussed in the saturated saltwater muds section. 

Slug the drill string prior to tripping with a high viscosity bentonite slurry (about 30 bbl) to remove excessive cuttings from the annulus. 

KCl-polymer (potassium chloride-polymer) muds can be classified as low solids-polymer muds or as inhibitive muds, due to their application to drilling in water-sensitive, sloughing shales. The use of polymers and the concentration of potassium chloride provide inhibition of shales and clays for maximum hole stability. The inverted flow properties (high yield point, low plastic viscosity) achieved with polymers and prehydrated bentonite provide good hole cleaning with minimum hole erosion. 

Finely divided solid particles that are wetted to some degree by both oil and water can also act as emulsifying agents. This results from the fact that they can form a particulate film around dispersed droplets, preventing coalescence. Powders that are wetted preferentially by water form O/W emulsions, whereas those more easily wetted by oil form W/O emulsions. The compounds most frequently used in pharmacy are colloidal clays, such as bentonite (aluminum silicate) and veegum (magnesium aluminum silicate). These compounds tend to be adsorbed at the interface and also increase the viscosity of the aqueous phase. They are frequently used in conjunction with a surfactant for external purposes, such as lotions or creams. 

Rheopectic fluids have apparent viscosities that increase with time, particularly at high rates of shear as shown on Figure 6.3. Figure 6.2(f) indicates typical hysteresis effects for such materials. Some examples are suspensions of gypsum in water, bentonite sols, vanadium pentoxide sols, and the polyester of Figure 6.3. 

The effect of various plasticizers was studied for a number of plastisols prepared both from emulsion and suspension PVC 2>6,7,37 42 46 4% Judging from the published data 48), the most viscous plastisols are formed with mesamole, low-viscosity plastisols with dioctyladipate taken as a base, irrespectively of PVC type. Plastisol viscosity may be controlled by certain additives small smounts of certain solvents may lower plastisol viscosity by as much as an order of magnitude37,41>, the use of bentonites makes pastes more dense 40,48>. Thermoplastic polyethylene may also be used as a thickening agent6,42). 

Gg (instantaneous modulus), Hg (residual viscosity) and G (shear modulus) all showed a rapid increase above 30g dm bentonite. This was attributed to the formation of a gel network structure in the continuous medium and the strength of such a gel increased with increase in bentonite concentration. The results could be qualitatively described in terms of the elastic floe model of Hunter and co-workers. Moreover, the settling characteristics of the structured suspensions were found to be consistent with the predictions from the rheological measurements. This demonstrates the value of rheological studies in predicting the longterm physical stability of suspension concentrates. 

Steady State Measurements Fig. 1 shows the shear rate-shear stress curves at various bentonite concentrations (calculated on the basis of the continuous phase) Hysteresis in the shear rate-shear stress curves was insignificant and the correlation between the ascending and descending curves was within experimental error. The results shown in Fig. 1 were therefore, the mean value of the ascending and descending curves. In the absence of any bentonite the suspension was Newtonian, whereas all suspensions containing bentonite at concentrations > 30 g dm were all pseudoplastic. This is illustrated from a plot of viscosity versus shear rate (Figure 2) which shows an exponential reduction of h with increase in shear rate. 

The sedimentation results obtained with the structured suspensions, are consistent with the predictions from rheological investigations. In the absence of any bentonite clay, the pesticidal suspension exhibits Newtonian behaviour with unmeasurable yield value, modulus or residual viscosity. In this case the particles are free to settle individually under gravity forming a dilatant sediment or clay. On the other hand, at bentonite concentrations above the gel point (> 30 g dm the non-Newtonian behaviour of the suspensions and in particular their viscoelastic behaviour results from the formation of a "three-dimensional" network, which elastically supports the total mass. After 21 weeks standing in 100 ml measuring cylinders, no separation was observed when the bentonite concentration was >37.5 g dm corresponding to a modulus > 60 Nm. Clearly the modulus value required to support the mass of the suspension depends on the density difference between particle and medium. 

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