Materials (Jan 2024)

The Excellent Mechanical Performance of Polymer-Coated Ceramsite Particles for Efficient Fracturing: An Explanation from a Surface, Tribological Perspective

  • Mengqi He,
  • Jiangkuan Wang,
  • Bin Wang,
  • Yuxi Wu,
  • Ling Wang,
  • Yanbao Guo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010241
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
p. 241

Abstract

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Hydraulic fracturing using micro-particles is an effective technology in the petroleum industry since the particles facilitate crack propagation of the shale layer, creating pathways for oil and gas. A new kind of polymer-coated ceramsite particles (PCP) was generated. The friction and wear properties of the particles under different loads and speeds were also studied. The tribological relationship between the newly fabricated polymer-coated ceramsite particles and the fracturing fluid was studied through tribological experiments under the condition of fracturing fluid lubrication. The results show that, in contrast, the wear of the new-generation particles is relatively stable, indicating that it has good adjustable friction properties. In addition, under the lubrication condition of fracturing fluid, the new-generation particles have better hydrophobicity, high-pressure resistance, and low reflux rate, which have an important value as a practical engineering application for improving shale gas production efficiency and production.

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