Análise das variáveis no processo de organofilização de uma argila bentonítica de Cubati, PB.

Abstract

Until 60s, Brazil imported all bentonite clay used in drilling fluids. Today, the deposites in Boa Vista,PB, make the country virtually self-sufficient in bentonite clay, accounting 88% of the total production of crude bentonite benefit of Brazil. However, currently, many of the varieties are sold out and others starting to thin. Therefore research is being done on top of deposits of Cubati,PB and Pedra Lavada,PB as an alternative to future shortages of Boa Vista deposits. The bentonite clay has been used as dispersing agents in the composition of drilling fluids, this bentonite clays naturally hydrophilic can, through treatment with a quaternary ammonium salt, become organophilic and use with oil based drilling fluids. Brazil now imports these expensive complex organics, so we can obtain a product of national least cost to the oil industry. The bentonite clay after treatment with surfactants are called organoclays, and are usually obtained through the addition of a ionic surfactant whose cation replaces the structure of the clay, the cation present available which is usually sodium, constitute a necessary input to preparation of organic-based drilling fluids. The purpose of this work was a detailed study of the variables involved in the organophilization process of bentonite clay Cubati trying to observe the direct influence of type of surfactant, presence of dispersant sodium, temperature and speed of preparation, curing time and others. The process variables studied were: temperature and velocity of preparation, the resting time, curing time and temperature of curing organophilic organophilization. The results showed that the organophilic clays have the potential and process variables do not affect the process, which from the industrial viewpoint it is of great importance since it permits the use of unit operations easier and less costly operation processing industry.