Improving Cellulose Nanocrystal Properties for Oil & Gas Applications: A Continuation on Studies of Nanocellulose Colloidal and Thermal Stability

斯伦贝谢是世界上最大的石油行业技术、服务、软件和项目管理供应商。斯伦贝谢希望在石油和天然气开采相关的各种流体中使用纤维素纳米晶(CNCS)，以努力改善其流变性、胶体稳定性、机械强度，并增加其可再生/可生物降解的含量。然而，碳纳米管在150摄氏度以上的温度不稳定，这使得它们不适合这种应用。该项目是Engage Grant的继续，旨在生产更具热稳定性和胶体稳定性的碳纳米管，并且在高温下不会失去其有利的性能。在我们的初步研究中，我们用新的酸和新的酸组合生产了碳纳米管，使我们能够定制颗粒大小、热/胶体稳定性；然而，稳定性仍然不足以满足石油和天然气应用(例如，250摄氏度、20,000磅/平方英寸和盐水级别的盐条件)。本项目将阐明在干燥和潮湿条件下影响数控系统热稳定性的主要因素，并将检验数控系统在盐水和水泥泡沫中的性能。我们还将研究一种新的CNCS表面改性路线，作为一种提供空间稳定性的方法，该路线将在数控加工过程中进行。我们将比较稳定性改善的碳纳米管与更传统的碳纳米管的热、化学、流变性和物理性能。碳纳米管是加拿大的一项创新，从木浆中生产出来，在涂料、包装、食品和复合材料方面具有潜在的应用，但石油和天然气流体将是第一个大批量应用。通过这项工作，斯伦贝谢将能够评估各种应用中的CNCS，这将使他们获得显著的市场优势。斯伦贝谢及其在加拿大的客户将利用开发的知识产权。我们致力于通过开发更环保的产品来帮助林业和清洁技术行业。这项工作将对加拿大产生重大的经济影响，将在加拿大创造就业机会，并将确保我们保持在数控加工发现的前沿。

Schlumberger is the world's largest provider of technology, services, software, and project management to thepetroleum industry. Schlumberger would like to use cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in a variety of fluids relatedto oil & gas extraction in an effort to improve their rheological performance, colloidal stability, mechanicalstrength, and increase their renewable/biodegradable content. However, CNCs are thermally unstable above150 degrees C, which makes them unsuitable for such applications.This project is a continuation on an Engage Grant and aims to produce CNCs that are more thermally andcolloidally stable and that do not lose their favourable properties at high temperatures. In our preliminary study,we produced CNCs with new acids and new acid combinations that allowed us to tailor particle size,thermal/colloidal stability; however, the stability was still not sufficient for oil & gas applications (e.g., 250degrees C, 20,000 psi and brine-level salt conditions). This current project will elucidate the dominant factorsresponsible for CNC thermal stability in both dry and wet conditions and will examine CNC performance inbrine and cement foams. We will also investigate a new surface modification route for CNCs, which will bedone during the CNC production, as a method to impart steric stabilization. We will compare the thermal,chemical, rheological and physical properties of the improved-stability CNCs to more conventional CNCs.CNCs are a Canadian innovation produced from wood pulp with potential application in paints, packaging,food, and composites, however oil & gas fluids would represent the first high volume application. Through thiswork, Schlumberger will be able to assess CNCs in various applications which will give them a significantmarket advantage. The IP developed will be exploited by Schlumberger and their customers in Canada. We arecommitted to helping the forestry and cleantech sectors by developing products with a greener footprint. Theimpact of this work will be economically significant for Canada, will lead to job creation in Canada and willensure that we remain at the forefront of CNC discoveries.