Study of modified konjac gum used as green flocculant for waste drilling fluid

Oilfield chemicals prepared with natural products is an effective way of green oilfield chemistry development. The konjac gum is used as the flocculant for waste drilling fluid, and it is used as a multifunctional oil field additive. By the single factor experiments, the optimal flocculation conditions were screened out. The conditions are as follows: the adding amount is 0.10%, flocculation temperature is at 40°C, pH 7, stirring rate is 200 rpm and stirring is for 5 min. the flocculation efficiency can be significantly improved using composite flocculant with konjac gel and orange peel, and get puff and large flocs. The flocculation efficiency is the best under the mass ratio of 1:5 between konjac gum and orange peel. The flocculation efficiency of the compound flocculant is between polyacrylamide and polyaluminum chloride, but it has obvious an advantage in filtration loss. Experimental results show that the “adsorption bridging” and “charge neutralization” mechanisms in the composite flocculant may coexist and reinforce each other. This research will be beneficial for improving the environmental performance of flocculants in waste drilling fluid treatment.