A homologous series of polycarboxylic acids of varying molecular weight have been evaluated in performance tests for their activity against sulphate and carbonate scales.

Assessment of compatibility with brines and polymer efficiency both before and after thermal and hydrolytic stability testing was determined using jar and capillary tube blocking tests.

Simulated 'squeeze' treatments on core samples have been performed to study the adsorption/desorption behaviour of the range of polymers. From test results on the polymers, it can be demonstrated that polymer molecular weight has a marked effect on the inhibition of different scale species. Thermal and hydrolytic data show the inherent stability of polymers. It can be concluded that specific scaling conditions can be treated by a particular series of polymers if selection of a suitable polymer is made using molecular weight as a criterion.

The results demonstrate the applicability of polymers for scale control in 'squeeze' applications, treatment of produced waters, and seawater injection applications.

Subject
Stability, Capillary tubes, Water, Calcium carbonate, Additives, Barium sulfate, Sulfates, Scale inhibitors, Carbonate scales, Molecular weight, Calcium, Polymers, Chemical inhibition
Keywords:
barium sulphate, calcium sulphate, calcium carbonate, scale inhibitor, jar test, capillary tube test, evaluation, hydrolytic stability, calcium compatibility, molecular weight
© 1994 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1994
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.