Influence of composition of KCl/silicate drilling fluids on rheological properties

The changes of the rheological parameters, such as apparent viscosity (µa), plastic viscosity (µp), dynamic yield stress (τyd) and static yield stress (τys) with the proportion of KCl, silicate and bentonite were discussed. It is found that the acceptable values of µa, µp, τyd and τys can be obtained when the mass ratio of bentonite, KCl and silicate is kept around 1:7:10. The effect of other factors, such as the particle size distribution of bentonite and zeta potential of clay, on the values of µa, µp, τyd and τys is also discussed. This discussion result could pave the way for better understanding of the subtle interaction between KCl, silicate and bentonite particles.