How PHPA Drilling Polymer proves to be a better alternative to Bentonite Clay?

Bentonite in the drilling world needs no big introduction. Making an important component of the drilling process, bentonite forms the “mud” used by drillers to lubricate the bit, remove cuttings from the borehole, and keep the sides of the borehole from caving in. Proper mixing of bentonite gives the resulting slurry the properties needed to drill a successful borehole well using a mud rotary drill rig.

Drilling fluid made to circulate in the borewell provides a buffer minimizing harm to the formation and drilling equipment. Determination of a drilling fluid depends upon its ability to penetrate in soil, its coverage in borewell and its engagement to withhold formation.

Typically used drilling fluids are water, bentonite mud, cutting oil, and polymers (both water-based and mud-based).

• Water with its cooling properties act as a moderate oil and vibration dampener
• Bentonite mud expands thickness and gives better cleaning of the boreholes. It goes about as generally excellent oil and furthermore decreases vibrations in the string extensively. It structures cake on the borehole dividers and secures the collapse of the borehole. Owing to its gelling properties, it also keeps the cutting in suspension in any event, when the flow is halted.
• Polymers haver comparable properties as that of bentonite with exceptional flushing limits and acts as a drilling mud viscosifier, lubricant.

Issues with Bentonite

Bentonite clay is less expansive, requiring at least a days’ time for complete mixing and it becomes difficult to dispose of in existing drain channels. Frequent de-sanding is required in use of bentonite clay, now slurry and is deemed marine pollutant under pollution and control regulations.
The undesirable mud post de-sanding requires proper chemical treatment before disposal, elevating logistical and manpower cost. A prominent issue with Bentonite slurry is that it leaves seams of wall cake between concrete and soil which does not allow any bond to form between the two and reduces concrete’s friction bearing capacity.
With the inception of water-soluble polymers in the late 1970s the concept of drilling pile bores and trench walls were revolutionized. These engineered polymers were considered to replace the use of bentonite slurries, housing a series of advantages resulting to smaller well impression, negligible environmental toxicity and reduced installation costs. Despite its introduction nearly five decades ago, there’s little information available about their attributes and optimal application.

CX-Drill: Effective Alternative to Drilling Polymers

CX Drill series from Chemtex are PHPA based zwitterionic charged polyacrylates incorporated with water shut-off capabilities, used for piling excavations, viz., removal of colloidal and particulate suspension of impurities.
Finding its best usage during preparation of stabilizing and lubricating “mud” in drilling for deep foundations like piling, diaphragm walls, etc. Completely organic, biodegradable, and environmentally safe for disposal. It works as a borehole stabilizer (with low viscosity) to prevent reactive shale and clay from swelling and sloughing, improving its stability.
Use of PHPA based Drilling Polymer not only ensures enhanced slurry rheology but also lessens mud rings, bit balling and clay formation booting-off, with significant reduction in drill pipe torque and pumping pressure. Owing to its high molecular weight when dissolved in water, it forms a non-Newtonian solution which is an efficient replacement to bentonite slurry during piling excavation. It has minimum production stress, is thixotropic, and at times slightly viscous at low shear rates. The molecular structure of PHPA drilling polymer is formed through interaction between it sub-micron particles and molecules. At higher shear rates, the bond breaks down causing notable reduction in viscosity, indicating to better shear dilution and strong thixotropy for suspension of drill cuttings.
For Deep Drilling, Foundation Piling, Diaphragm Walls, Trenching Excavations, Drilled Shaft, Auger Drilling, RC Rotary Drilling, Horizontal Directional Boring and Many More…

Chemtex PHPA based Drilling Polymer:
• Stabilizes borehole piling and mud excavation
• Promotes stronger loading capacity
• Easy to use; Hassle Free Mixing, Excavating and Concrete replacement
• Polymerizes drilling mud, that can be re-used and are safe for environment disposal
• Water shut off polymer; removes excess water that surfaces up during excavation
• Enhances lubrication
• Mixes and hydrates within short contact time
• Mixes easily with minimum shear in fresh water
• Prevents bio-contamination to a considerable extent
• Easily breaks down with household bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)
• Conforms to IS 2911-1-2 (2010): DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PILE FOUNDATIONS — CODE OF PRACTICE

Learn More: https://www.chemtexltd.com/products-and-solutions/performance-chemicals/drilling-polymer/

Chemtex Speciality Limited
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