Rheological study of concentrated dispersions. Application to the drilling fluid

Abstract

In order to understand the rheological behavior of concentrated aqueous Algerian bentonite dispersions of drilling (sodium bentonite of Mostaganem "m'zila"), rheological tests were carried out. By varying the concentration of bentonite, flow tests have allowed to estimate the yield stress and apparent viscosity for each concentration and to see their influence on the rheological behavior of these dispersions. In addition dynamic tests (oscillatory) are used to define the linear region of our samples, the state of our fluid (elastic solid or viscous liquid) and understanding the mechanisms of structuring of the particles constituting the material. In parallel, other tests coupled with rheological measurements such as x-rays diffraction to know the mineralogical composition and granulometry to estimate the bentonite particle size.