TY - GEN
T1 - The influence of activation methodologies on the rheological and filtration characteristics of Cyprus smectites for potential use as low density solids in drilling fluids. A case study of Polycanthos quarry
AU - Ramsis, Youstina
AU - Sarris, Ernestos
AU - Papaloizou, Loizos
AU - Gravanis, Elias
AU - Vattis, Demetris
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 57th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - In this work, we investigate the suitability of Cyprus bentonite as low-density solid additive for drilling fluids. Bentonite samples were obtained from a quarry owned by Hellenic mining company Ltd. Samples were mechanically processed to a size <63μm. The processed material was activated with Na2CO3 using (i) dry, (ii) wet, and (iii) thermal conditions. The samples were activated with different percentages of soda ash and for different curing times prior to experimentation with the aim to investigate optimum soda ash quantity and activation time. With thermal activation we increase the cation exchange reaction for faster activation results. Standard tests for the rheological behavior and filtration properties of the clay suspensions were performed. Results indicate that the quality of clay suspensions, which are rich in non-clay minerals (impure), improve to a certain point after the treatments are applied. Even though the rheological and filtration characteristics improve, there is room for improvement with respect to reaching the desired API standards. The reason for the low-quality results appears to be the impurities that are inherent in the material and the K+ cations that act as swelling inhibitors. Future improvements could be the use of purification methods or chemically process the activation methods with intermediate cation exchange before full sodium activation.
AB - In this work, we investigate the suitability of Cyprus bentonite as low-density solid additive for drilling fluids. Bentonite samples were obtained from a quarry owned by Hellenic mining company Ltd. Samples were mechanically processed to a size <63μm. The processed material was activated with Na2CO3 using (i) dry, (ii) wet, and (iii) thermal conditions. The samples were activated with different percentages of soda ash and for different curing times prior to experimentation with the aim to investigate optimum soda ash quantity and activation time. With thermal activation we increase the cation exchange reaction for faster activation results. Standard tests for the rheological behavior and filtration properties of the clay suspensions were performed. Results indicate that the quality of clay suspensions, which are rich in non-clay minerals (impure), improve to a certain point after the treatments are applied. Even though the rheological and filtration characteristics improve, there is room for improvement with respect to reaching the desired API standards. The reason for the low-quality results appears to be the impurities that are inherent in the material and the K+ cations that act as swelling inhibitors. Future improvements could be the use of purification methods or chemically process the activation methods with intermediate cation exchange before full sodium activation.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175367194&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.56952/ARMA-2023-0954
DO - 10.56952/ARMA-2023-0954
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85175367194
T3 - 57th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium
BT - 57th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium
PB - American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
T2 - 57th US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium
Y2 - 25 June 2023 through 28 June 2023
ER -