Estudo da permeabilidade de meios porosos com solução polimérica

Abstract

The permeability of material is a relevant characteristic of porous media that can be applied on several science and engineering fields. Polymers are chemical compounds of high molecular weight and those which are water soluble can modify the viscosity and permeability of a porous medium. The polymer injection in oil reservoirs is often used in order to increase the oil production. Packed bed reactors have been used to reinforce the efficiency of catalytic gaseous reactions and he water bodies’ dynamics understanding depends on soil permeability. This thesis aims to investigate the permeability of sand beds which are percolated by polyacrylamide-based (AN 905 VHM) solutions. The experiments also seek to identify the granulometry, viscosity and porosity influences on permeability, as well as the rheological properties of the injected fluid. Rheological tests denoted that viscosity of polymer solutions grow as a result of concentration increasing. Permeabilities of sand beds were in the range of 2,95D to 8,60D. Permeabilities measured revealed that viscosity reduces permeability. By the other hand, growing porosity and grain size rises permeabilities of sand beds.