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Synthesis And Evaluation Of A Novel Polyacrylamide Functionalized Nano-Silica As A Calcium Carbonate Inhibitor In Upstream Applications, Nadhem Ismail, Ali Alshami, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications

Calcium carbonate scale forms in production and injection wells, precipitating upon pressure and temperature changes, incompatible water mixing, and dehydration. Production shutdown is one of the most dramatic consequences caused by calcium carbonate scale formation. We synthesized, characterized, and tested a polyacrylamide functionalized nano-silica (PAM-SiO₂NPs) inhibitor that prevents calcium carbonate formation at high temperatures and high brine. Positive compatibility results were confirmed before the inhibition efficiency test, whereby the efficiency was calculated by quantifying the calcium ions left in solution using ICP-OES. The inhibitor was effective at temperatures of 40, 60, and 80 °C, with pH values of …