Computational Analysis on the Selection of High Efficient Biodegradable-PolymerBased Nanofluids for Drilling Mud

Abstract

Joseph Chukwuka Ofodu, Johnson Kehinde Abifarin

Proper and optimal selection of processing conditions in the production of nanofluids for drilling muds is critical. In this study, grey relational analysis (GRA) was employed as the computation analysis assisted by mathematical and graphical modeling to determine some optimal processing parameters to produce highly efficient biodegradable-polymer-based nanofluids for drilling muds. The multiple performance characteristics analyzed are consistency index (K), flow behavior index (n), yield point (YP), and plastic viscosity (YP). The obtained results revealed that 0.6 wt% starch, 1 wt% nanoparticles and 45 min. ultrasonic time are the optimal settings to be considered in the production of highly efficient nanofluids for drilling muds. The graphical modeling and ANOVA results also revealed that the experimental setups were influenced by some significant and unconsidered external factors in drilling fluids formulation. It is recommended that deeper study should be conducted to identify and employ some other unconsidered factors that may be responsible on the performance of drilling muds.

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