Evaluation of Viscosity Loss of Viscosified Brine Solutions Due to Shear Degradation in Distribution System Components

摘要

High molecular weight HPAM’s tend to be highly shear sensitive. Various components of polymer mixing and distribution systems pose risk to the integrity of HPAMs due to high shear experienced at valves, chokes and other flow control devices. At a minimum, this risk can severely impact chemical EOR operating cost due to polymer degradation and consequential viscosity loss of the injectate. Low-shear, low-cost polymer injection distribution systems have the potential to reduce polymer usage, maintain injection stream viscosity, and enable integration into brownfield facilities. Lower viscosity losses translate into optimized operating and capital cost for CEOR pilot and full field projects. The objective of this work was to determine the equipment (piping), process, and polymer parameters that affect viscosity loss due to shear degradation. In this work, polymers were evaluated from two different vendors. The effects of molecular weight, chemical concentration, and brine salinity on polymer sensitivity to viscosity loss due to shear degradation were investigated. Polymer solutions were either blended on site or purchased pre-blended in synthetic brine solutions. Pumped by a positive displacement, low-shear pump, the solutions flowed through a mass meter and were delivered to a distribution system component at various flow rates. For flow control devices, pressure differentials were adjusted at fixed flow rates. Polymer solution samples were collected upstream and downstream of the tested component. Samples were taken in no-shear sample collectors. Pressure upstream and downstream of the test component and flow rate were recorded during the flow test. Viscosity was measured with a Brookfield viscometer at ambient temperature. When higher concentration solutions were tested, viscosity was measured of diluted samples at target concentration to determine amount of shear degradation as evidenced by viscosity loss. Results indicate that viscosity degradation of polymer solutions does occur in flow control devices and is directly correlated to pressure differential across the pipe device. Internal geometry has little impact on the amount of degradation. Velocity has little impact on the amount of degradation. Polymer molecular weight and structure both affect the amount of degradation due to shear as does solution concentration. Generally, viscosified brine solutions will lose viscosity when flowed through devices with greater than 50 psi differential pressure in the range of 15-50% of initial viscosity. Using more concentrated polymer streams and diluting to target concentration after flow control will reduce the amount of viscosity loss. Based on the laboratory results, design and operating condition, recommendations can be made for polymer injection distribution systems to minimize shear degradation of the flowing viscosified brine stream.