Flow of Viscoelastic Polymer Solutions in Porous Media: Influence of Molecular Weight and Dispersity

The properties of polymeric materials are commonly modified by adjusting the dispersity of the molecular weight distribution, since polymer properties are dominated by intermolecular interactions. We utilized this approach to alter the rheological behavior of polymer solutions for application sub-surface and other porous media flow. We correlate the molecular weight distributions with screen factor measurements and in-situ rheological behavior. Aqueous solutions were prepared using mixtures of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) having different molecular weights. The behaviour of the solutions was studied in single-phase flooding experiments using Bentheimer and Berea outcrops, as well as a glass-silicon-glass microfluidic device that mimics porous media. The in-situ rheological behavior determined from flooding experiments was monitored by differential pressure measurements. To improve data accuracy, the core flooding experimental set-up was equipped with multiple pressure sensors along the core. Polymer solutions of same shear viscosity but significantly different dispersities were utilized for the investigation. Elongational viscosities were determined by screen factor measurements. We show that the apparent viscosity during polymer injection is significantly altered for polymer solutions of same average molecular weight but different dispersity. Namely, the onset of shear thickening occurs at lower equivalent shear rates when dispersity is high. Furthermore, the flow of polymer solutions in porous media was correlated to screen factor measurements. This effect of the dispersity of the molecular weight distribution can be used to optimize polymer solution applications in porous materials.