Ultrasonic oscillations induced property development of water-bentonite suspension containing sulfonated wood coal

Abstract During drilling fluid preparation, ultrasonic oscillations were introduced into water-bentonite suspension incorporating sulfonated wood coal (SMC) by a specially designed device. The influences of on loss and rheological performances the as well mechanism action investigated. experimental results showed that filtrate volume decreased with increase time till certain extent then leveled off. In presence ultrasound, shorter 15 min mild intensity 250 W could lead to satisfactory result in properties, including reasonable thin compact filter cakes. With increasing intensity, properties changed relatively little but various data fluids always increased. Adsorption tests through total organic carbon, infrared spectrum thermogravimetic analyses clay particle size analysis confirmed compared conventional agitation, ultrasound-assisted mud preparation not only adsorbed amount SMC bentonite also decrease average diameter attributed acoustic cavitation. A plausible based sonochemical thermodynamics is proposed explain improvement colloidal structure fluid.