Friction Reducers
Friction reducers suppress turbulence and reduce friction pressure in fluids flowing through tubular goods. This can either reduce horsepower requirements or increase treating rates. Most friction reducers are long-chain natural or synthetic polymers, but not all of them work effectively in acidizing solutions. Acid breaks down some of these polymers at a very fast rate, thus leaving little, if any, friction-reducing properties.
Many different additives are used as friction reducers. Generic classifications of additives for water- and oil-base pad fluids and for acids are listed in Table 1.
Fluid Type | Generic Classification of Additive |
---|---|
Water based pad | Guar and HP Guar |
Polyacrylamide | |
Cellulose | |
Oil based pad | Polyisobutylene |
Fatty acids | |
Crosslinked organic polymers | |
Acid | Guar |
Gum karaya | |
Polyacrylamide | |
Cellulose |