DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF DIVALENT SALT ON RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES BENEFICIATED GUM ARABIC

This research focuses on determining the effect of divalent salts on the rheological properties of beneficiated gum Arabic, with the aim of assessing its suitability as a vicosifying and filtration control agent in drilling fluids. Gum Arabic, a natural biopolymer, was beneficiated to enhance its purity and performance before being exposed to varying concentrations of divalent salts such as calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and magnesium chloride (MgCl₂). Rheological analyses were conducted to evaluate parameters including plastic viscosity, yield point, and gel strength under different shear rates and aging conditions. The results showed that the presence of divalent salts significantly altered the flow behavior of the gum Arabic-based fluids. Increasing salt concentration led to ionic cross-linking between the salt cations and the polymer’s functional
groups, improving viscosity and gel strength at lower concentrations but causing flocculation and viscosity reduction at higher concentrations. The interaction also affected the thixotropic behavior and structural stability of the fluid. Overall, the study demonstrates that divalent salts play a crucial role in modifying the rheological characteristics of gum Arabic solutions. The beneficiated gum Arabic exhibits potential as an eco-friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternative to synthetic polymers for drilling fluid formulation, contributing to sustainable petroleum engineering operations.