A Study of the Effect of the Concentration of Constituents on the Characteristics of a Cross-Linked Polyacrylamide Gel

Abstract

Polymer gels have long been used for water shutoff in petroleum production operations. A polymer gel is prepared by a combination of water, polymer, and cross-linker. The gelation or cross-linking reaction between the polymer and cross-linker results in the formation of a three-dimensional polymer network known as gel, which forms a barrier to water flow. Polyacrylamides along with cross-linkers such as metal ions (Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Zr⁴⁺, etc.) and organic compounds such as resins, glutaraldehyde, phenol/formaldehyde, etc., have been used by the oil industry for this purpose. Most of these gels have been successfully applied in the field and good results have been obtained. In the present study, polyacrylamide (PAM) was cross-linked with hydroquinone (HQ) and hexamethylene tetramine (HMTA). The gel formed by cross-linking HQ and HMTA with PAM had high mechanical strength and was stable for long periods of time. The kinetic parameters of this system were determined by viscosity measurement at a temperature of 85°C.