Production of a nanostructured material consisting of cement phases through the sol-gel method modified with non-ionic surfactant

Nanoscience is characterized by synergies between different disciplines, so it is intrinsically new and more accurate than other sciences on their own. This may be the cornerstone of any future energy technology, offering further potential for innovative solutions [1]. It is estimated that within the next 30 years, the increase in global energy needs will increase by 60%, requiring development of most complex schemes and architectures for oil wells and/or gas for oil recovery, this trend would hardly be satisfied without an adequate and rapid progress in scientific-technological innovations, requiring great discoveries in fundamental science and engineering. Additionally, recent advances in nanotechnology open the possibility of going beyond the current alternatives to secure energy supply through the introduction of more efficient and environmentally sound technologies. During the construction of an oil well is necessary to control many parameters and processes, including primary cementing, which is considered fundamental to ensure, through an effective zonal isolation, the productive life of the well. In this period, the cement must be able of supporting operational efforts, such as stimulation, drilling, production and other interventions that will test its strength and durability [2]. Hence arise the need to optimize the properties of cementitious systems through the use of nanostructured materials. In this sense, this work shows a new nanostructured material based on the ternary system CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 with particle sizes between 2-100 nm (Figure 1), composed of crystalline nanophases present in ordinary cement (C3S, C2S and C3A). For the synthesis, it was used the sol-gel method [3] modified with nonionic surfactant and controlled parameters, such as: pH and temperature. This material was characterized through the following techniques: TGA, dTGA, DSC, FT-IR, NMR, XRD, TEM and EDS-AR. The temperature of calcination for the formation of clinker from macroscopic material is around 1450 °C; the results showed that temperature decreased by approximately 100 °C, possibly due to greater exposed surface area of nanomaterials in comparison with microparticles of the ordinary cement. Moreover, qualitative tests were performed to evaluate the properties of the cementitious ternary system in the presence of water, and setting was observed for mixing ratios water / powder calcined from 0.5 to 0.85 (Figure 2). References: [1] Md. Amanullah and Ashraf M. Al-Tahini “Nano-Technology: Its Signifacance in Smart Fluid Development for Oil and Gas Field Applications”, SPE 126102 (2009) [2] M. Economides, L. Watters, S. Dunn–Norman, “Petroleum Well Construction”, JHON WILEY & SONS, Chichester, England. , 1988, pp 215250. [3] C. J. Brinker, G. W. Scherer, “Sol-Gel Science, The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing”, London, U.K (1990) Figure 1. Micrographs of samples calcined at 1350 ° C obtained by the technique of TEM-AR: (a) Aggregates of particles, (b) Detail of (a), (c) nanostructured particles, (d) Detail of (c) Figure 2. Set molds formed by different water / powder calcined ratios. Value 0.50 (left) and 0.85 (right)