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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #150824
Title: STARCH-CONTAINING LUBRICANT SYSTEMS FOR OIL FIELD APPLICATIONS

Author
item Fanta, George
item MUIJS, HERMAN - FORMER USDA
item ESKINS, KENNETH - FORMER USDA
item Felker, Frederick
item ERHAN, SELIM - FORMER USDA

Submitted to: Patent Application
Publication Type: Patent Application
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/28/2001
Publication Date: 10/8/2002
Citation: FANTA, G.F., MUIJS, H., ESKINS, K., FELKER, F.C., ERHAN, S.Z. STARCH-CONTAINING LUBRICANT SYSTEMS FOR OIL FIELD APPLICATIONS. 2002. U.S.PATENT 6,461,999.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lubricating additives for drilling fluids are prepared from semi-solid highly viscous and/or high molecular weight lubricants, such as polyalkylenes (e.g., polybutene), by steam jet cooking a mixture of starch, water, and the lubricant in order to uniformly suspend micrometer-sized lubricant droplets in an aqueous starch matrix. These additives avoid the need for toxic emulsifiers, surfactants, or short-chain hydrocarbon solvents for dispersing the lubricants. They impart lubricity to drilling fluids (muds) and also inhibit fluid loss in geological formations by enhancing the filtration control properties of the fluid.