(33) CONTROL PH VALUE FOR SUPERABORBENT POLYMERS (SAPS) SOLUTIONS BY USING HYDROCHLORIDE ACID (HCL)
The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of superabsorbent polymers AT-O3S and 2G-110 when introduced to brine solutions with varying pH values. The polymer is intended to swell in order to block high permeability zones in existing oil wells. The swelled polymer will decrease reservoir heterogeneity, diverting injected water to the oil rich zones/areas. Understanding the kinetics of the SAPs are crucial to their proper employment. However, when the AT-O3S and 2G-110, both Sodium crosslinked polyacrylic acids, are introduced to brine solutions containing Calcium, reactions involving the sodium crosslinker of the polymers occurs resulting in the destruction of the polymers. To remedy this situation, we are testing if varying pH values of the brine will alter the reaction in order to find whether or not this problem is preventable. Our results have been positive in that the reaction was delayed as the polymer precipitated out slower.