Study of the effect of particle size and mixture on sediment formed in the solid-liquid separation process in polymeric fluid through the gamma-ray attenuation technique

ABSTRACT

Drilling fluids behave as shear-thinning and thixotropic fluids and present cuttings and solid additives. Understanding the sedimentation of these solid elements is important to avoid possible problems in drilling. In that matter, this paper analyzed the sedimentation of solids in polymeric solutions and assessed the influence of particle size in this process. Particle sedimentation was monitored by the gamma-ray attenuation technique. Equations of pressure on solids were also determined. Different-sized particles deformed the fluid and settled with different velocities. Therefore, this work contributes to the understanding of the sediment formation processes and pressure transmission in confined drilling fluids.

KEYWORDS:

• Particle size
• sedimentation
• shear-thinning fluid
• gamma-ray attenuation

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Capes, CNPq, Fapemig, Petrobras and the School of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of Uberlandia for their financial support.