Surface and Adsorption Activity of a Modified Lignosulfonate Reagent for Regulation of Drilling Mud Parameters

The feasibility of obtaining a modified lignosulfonate reagent derived from acrylic and lignosulfonate components is examined. The completeness of the reaction yielding a modifier derived from acrylamide and citric acid to be used for subsequent dispersion in sodium lignosulfonate was monitored by HPLC. A comparative analysis of the surface tension data was carried out by the stalagmometric drop counting method. In order to study the effect of electrolytes on the surface activity of a complex reagent with acrylic and lignosulfonate components, the surface tension of aqueous solutions of NaCl and CaCl₂ of different concentrations was determined upon the introduction of from 0.1% to 2% reagent. The assessment of the adsorption activity was carried out by constructing an isotherm of surface tension at the liquid‑liquid interface under static conditions over time with constant reagent concentration. Feasibility was established for the use of this lignosulfonate reagent for effective reduction of the conditional viscosity of clay drilling mud at from 20°C to 180°C.