New approach for modeling of polymer retention mechanisms-Mechanical entrapment and adsorption

Abstract

Even though polymer retention has been identified into the adsorption and non-adsorptive mechanisms by experimental studies, the conventional Langmuir's isotherm is an only model to depict the polymer retention mechanisms. With respect to the pore size distribution, the model of non-adsorptive mechanism was developed. This mechanistic model allows for the evaluation of polymer retention under the heterogeneous reservoirs to be more accurate. The developed model verified the sensitivity to the pemeability. Compared with the conventional model by Langmuir's type adsorption, polymer retention could be more accurately estimated in the low permeability and heterogeneous reservoirs.