Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Microfluidic Devices for Characterizing Pore-scale Event Processes in Porous Media for Oil Recovery Applications
Published on: January 16, 2018
Eco-friendly sodium alginate for drag reduction in hydraulic fracturing: Experimental and FFT-based dynamic analysis
Xin Zhang1, Zhensong Cheng2, Xiaodong Dai2
1College of Petroleum Engineering, Shandong Institute of Petroleum and Chemical Technology, Dongying, Shandong, 257061, People's Republic of China; Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia.
None:
Hydraulic fracturing is necessary for petroleum engineering, yet synthetic drag-reducing polymers often introduce environmental hazards. In this work we use sodium alginate, a seaweed-originated biopolymer, to address these concerns. Experiments conducted in a smooth microtube show that the eco-friendly additive can reduce the friction to 15 %, and application of the scaling law suggests a drag reduction up to 37 % in a large pipeline. Fast Fourier transform of a newly defined dimensionless pressure drop reveals a spectrum for sodium alginate that is simpler than that of the pure solvent, confirming suppression of turbulent fluctuations through the polymer-turbulence interaction. A ten-minute degradation test indicates that the initial drag reduction of 15 % declines only to 13 %, demonstrating a good anti-shear ability in the drag-reducing flow. Dynamic-light-scattering profiles confirm that chain scission is only partial, underscoring the polymer's structural robustness under the turbulent flow. Last, we use thermodynamic and kinetic, supported by dynamic-light-scattering data, to provide a mechanism of drag reduction by polymers: the structure of sodium alginate resists the high shear rates encountered in turbulent flow, preserving its drag-reducing efficiency. These combined environmental and economic advantages indicate sodium alginate as a promising green additive for hydraulic-fracturing operations, especially under stringent ecological regulations.
More Related Videos
10:06Microfluidic Fabrication Techniques for High-Pressure Testing of Microscale Supercritical CO2 Foam Transport in Fractured Unconventional Reservoirs
Published on: July 2, 2020
07:24Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics with Biocompatible Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Microspheres
Published on: June 7, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Calculating pH Changes in a Buffer Solution
Dynamic Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete
The sonic test is a common method to determine the dynamic modulus. In this test, a concrete beam, sized either 6 x 6 x 30 inches or 4 x 4 x 20 inches, is clamped at its center. Vibrations are initiated at one end of the beam by an electromagnetic exciter unit powered by a...
Carbonation Shrinkage
The concrete's permeability is slightly reduced as calcium carbonate produced during the reaction fills its pores. Furthermore, its strength is slightly enhanced as the water released during the reaction facilitates the...
Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
Concrete in areas between tide marks, which undergo...
Acid Attack on Concrete
The rate at which hydrogen...
Corrosion of Reinforcement
However, over time and under certain conditions like carbonation, chloride ingress, and cracking this protective state can be compromised. Steel has areas with...