DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF NACL ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES BENEFICIATED GUM ARABIC
Faculty
Department
Year of Publication
upload
Publication Type
Abstract
This project examines how sodium chloride (NaCl) affects the rheological properties of beneficiated gum Arabic-based drilling fluids and their blends with cocoyam starch, ginger extract, and xanthan gum. The aim was to develop an environmentally friendly drilling fluid that remains stable in saline environments. Laboratory tests were conducted using a Fann viscometer
to measure key properties such as plastic viscosity, yield point, and gel strength at NaCl concentrations of 7.5 g and 15 g. The results showed that moderate salt levels improved gel strength and yield point, while higher salt concentrations slightly reduced viscosity due to polymer chain tightening. Among all the tested samples, the gum Arabic–ginger and xanthan
gum blends performed best, showing strong salt tolerance and stable shear-thinning behavior described by the Herschel–Bulkley model. Overall, the study highlights gum Arabic’s potential as a natural, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers for drilling operations.
to measure key properties such as plastic viscosity, yield point, and gel strength at NaCl concentrations of 7.5 g and 15 g. The results showed that moderate salt levels improved gel strength and yield point, while higher salt concentrations slightly reduced viscosity due to polymer chain tightening. Among all the tested samples, the gum Arabic–ginger and xanthan
gum blends performed best, showing strong salt tolerance and stable shear-thinning behavior described by the Herschel–Bulkley model. Overall, the study highlights gum Arabic’s potential as a natural, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers for drilling operations.
Supervisor(s)
co-supervisor