An Investigation into the Effects of Oil-Well Cement Expansion Agent on the Integrity of Cement Sheath

Generally,the so-called expansion agent is very effective in eliminating all the micro-annuli that exist between the casing and the cement sheath or between the cement sheath and the formation.However,this approach can detrimentally affect the sealing ability of cement sheath if the expansion agent is used in an unreasonable way.For these reasons,in the present work,numerical simulations have been conducted to analyze the effect of elasticity modulus of cement sheath,the elasticity modulus of formation,the expansion rate of cement,the geo-stress on the micro-annulus caused by cement expansion,and the cement sheath expansion on the integrity of cement sheath and formation.The micro-annulus between the casing and the cement sheath has been found to decrease according to the ratio between the elasticity modulus of formation and the elasticity modulus of cement sheath.A positive correlation has been observed between the micro-annulus and the cement expansion ratio.The microannulus decreases as the geo-stress increases,but the effect of the geo-stress on the micro-annulus is much smaller.In conclusion,the expansion agent is suitable for the formation in which the elasticity modulus is higher than the cement sheath.

Properties and Application of Oil-well Cement Enhanced with a Novel Composite Toughening Agent

Brittle fracture of cement sheath, induced by perforation and stimulation treatments, can cause cross flow of formation fluid and increase casing damage. A novel agent XL was developed for solving the problem. Experimental results showed that the toughness of the set cement containing XL was improved remarkably. The engineering properties of the slurry containing XL, drag reducer USZ （0.2% BWOC）, filtrate loss additive F 17B （1.2% BWOC） and crystalloid expanding agent F17A （3% BWOC） could meet technical requirements of cementing operation. After perforation, good quality cement sheath enhanced with XL was observed by CBL/VDL logs in a deep well.

Assessment of the Performances of Carboxylic Acid Monomers as Fluid Loss Additives for Oil-Well Cement

The application of polycarboxylic acid as a fluid loss additive for cement(i.e.,a substance specifically designed to lower the volume of filtrate that passes through the cement)can prolong the thickening time of cement slurries.Given the lack of data about the effects of carboxylic acid monomers as possible components for the additives traditionally used for oil-well cement,in this study different cases are experimentally investigated considering different types of these substances,concentrations,temperatures,and magnesium ion contamination.The results demonstrate that itaconic acid has a strong retarding side effect,while maleic and acrylic acids have similar influences on the thickening time of the cement slurry.The rheological properties of the cement slurry tend to deteriorate when the carboxylic acid monomer content in the fluid loss additive is increased to 40%.If the temperature exceeds 80°C,there is a significant decrease in the related impact on the thickening duration.With an increase in the intrusion of magnesium ions to>0.5%,both the rheological properties of the cement slurry and the thickening time are affected in a negative way.

Estimating shear strength of high-level pillars supported with cemented backfilling using the HoekeBrown strength criterion

Deep metal mines are often mined using the high-level pillars with subsequent cementation backfilling(HLSCB)mining method.At the design stage,it is therefore important to have a reasonable method for determining the shear strength of the high-level pillars(i.e.cohesion and internal friction angle)when they are supported by cemented backfilling.In this study,a formula was derived for the upper limit of the confining pressure σ3max on a high-level pillar supported by cemented backfilling in a deep metal mine.A new method of estimating the shear strength of such pillars was then proposed based on the Hoek eBrown failure criterion.Our analysis indicates that the horizontal stress σhh acting on the cemented backfill pillar can be simplified by expressing it as a constant value.A reasonable and effective value for σ3max can then be determined.The value of s3max predicted using the proposed method is generally less than 3 MPa.Within this range,the shear strength of the high-level pillar is accurately calculated using the equivalent MohreCoulomb theory.The proposed method can effectively avoid the calculation of inaccurate shear strength values for the high-level pillars when the original HoekeBrown criterion is used in the presence of large confining pressures,i.e.the situation in which the cohesion value is too large and the friction angle is too small can effectively be avoided.The proposed method is applied to a deep metal mine in China that is being excavated using the HLSCB method.The shear strength parameters of the high-level pillars obtained using the proposed method were input in the numerical simulations.The numerical results show that the recommended level heights and sizes of the high-level pillars and rooms in the mine are rational.

Using cemented paste backfill to tackle the phosphogypsum stockpile in China:A down-to-earth technology with new vitalities in pollutant retention and CO_(2) abatement

Phosphogypsum(PG),a hard-to-dissipate by-product of the phosphorus fertilizer production industry,places strain on the biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions of storage sites.This pervasive problem is already widespread worldwide and requires careful stewardship.In this study,we review the presence of potentially toxic elements(PTEs)in PG and describe their associations with soil properties,anthropogenic activities,and surrounding organisms.Then,we review different ex-/in-situ solutions for promoting the sustainable management of PG,with an emphasis on in-situ cemented paste backfill,which offers a cost-effective and highly scalable opportunity to advance the value-added recovery of PG.However,concerns related to the PTEs'retention capacity and long-term effectiveness limit the implementation of this strategy.Furthermore,given that the large-scale demand for ordinary Portland cement from this conventional option has resulted in significant CO_(2) emissions,the technology has recently undergone additional scrutiny to meet the climate mitigation ambition of the Paris Agreement and China's Carbon Neutrality Economy.Therefore,we discuss the ways by which we can integrate innovative strategies,including supplementary cementitious materials,alternative binder solutions,CO_(2) mineralization,CO_(2) curing,and optimization of the supply chain for the profitability and sustainability of PG remediation.However,to maximize the co-benefits in environmental,social,and economic,future research must bridge the gap between the feasibility of expanding these advanced pathways and the multidisciplinary needs.

Development and application of novel high‐efficiency composite ultrafine cement grouts for roadway in fractured surrounding rocks

The fractured surrounding rocks of roadways pose major challenges to safe mining.Grouting has often been used to reinforce the surrounding rocks to mitigate the safety risks associated with fractured rocks.The aim of this study is to develop highly efficient composite ultrafine cement(CUC)grouts to reinforce the roadway in fractured surrounding rocks.The materials used are ultrafine cement(UC),ultrafine fly ash(UF),ultrafine slag(US),and additives(superplasticizer[SUP],aluminate ultrafine expansion agent[AUA],gypsum,and retarder).The fluidity,bleeding,shrinkage,setting time,chemical composition,microstructure,degree of hydration,and mechanical property of grouting materials were evaluated in this study.Also,a suitable and effective CUC grout mixture was used to reinforce the roadway in the fractured surrounding rock.The results have shown that the addition of UF and US reduces the plastic viscosity of CUC,and the best fluidity can be obtained by adding 40%UF and 10%US.Since UC and UF particles are small,the pozzolanic effect of UF promotes the hydration reaction,which is conductive to the stability of CUC grouts.In addition,fine particles of UC,UF,and US can effectively fill the pores,while the volumetric expansion of AUA and gypsum decreases the pores and thus affects the microstructure of the solidified grout.The compressive test results have shown that the addition of specific amounts of UF and US can ameliorate the mechanical properties of CUC grouts.Finally,the CUC22‐8 grout was used to reinforce the No.20322 belt roadway.The results of numerical simulation and field monitoring have indicated that grouting can efficaciously reinforce the surrounding rock of the roadway.In this research,high‐performance CUC grouts were developed for surrounding rock reinforcement of underground engineering by utilizing UC and some additives.

Research on casing deformation prevention technology based on cementing slurry system optimization

The casing deformation prevention technology based on the optimization of cement slurry is proposed to reduce the casing deformation of shale oil and gas wells during hydraulic fracturing. In this paper, the fracture mechanism of hollow particles in cement sheath was firstly analyzed by discrete element method, and the effect of hollow particles in cement on casing deformation was investigated by laboratory experiment method. Finally, field test was carried out to verify the improvement effect of the casing deformation based on cement slurry modification. The results show that the formation displacement can be absorbed effectively by hollow particles inside the cement transferring the excessive deformation away from casing. The particles in the uncemented state provide deformation space during formation slipping. The casing with diameter of 139.7 mm could be passed through by bridge plug with the diameter of 99 mm when the mass ratio of particle/cement reaches 1:4. According to the field test feedback, the method based on optimization of cement slurry can effectively reduce the risk of casing deformation, and the recommended range of hollow microbeads content in the cement slurry is between 15% and 25%.

Particle aggregation and breakage kinetics in cemented paste backfill

The macroscopic flow behavior and rheological properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB)are highly impacted by the inherent structure of the paste matrix.In this study,the effects of shear-induced forces and proportioning parameters on the microstructure of fresh CPB were studied.The size evolution and distribution of floc/agglomerate/particles of paste were monitored by focused beam reflection measuring(FBRM)technique,and the influencing factors of aggregation and breakage kinetics of CPB were discussed.The results indicate that influenced by both internal and external factors,the paste kinetics evolution covers the dynamic phase and the stable phase.Increasing the mass content or the cement-tailings ratio can accelerate aggregation kinetics,which is advantageous for the rise of average floc size.Besides,the admixture and high shear can improve breaking kinetics,which is beneficial to reduce the average floc size.The chord length resembles a normal distribution somewhat,with a peak value of approximate 20μm.The particle disaggregation con-stant(k_(2))is positively correlated with the agitation rate,and k_(2) is five orders of magnitude greater than the particle aggregation constant(k1).The kinetics model depicts the evolution law of particles over time quantitatively and provides a theoretical foundation for the micromechanics of complicated rheological behavior of paste.

Gadolinium-doped injectable magnesium-calcium phosphate bone cements for noninvasive visualization

Injectable bone cements are used in minimally invasive surgical techniques including vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.This work is devoted to the development of magnesium-calcium phosphate cements(MCPCs)doped with gadolinium ions(Gd^(3+))for bone defect repair.Interaction between cement powders and a cement liquid resulted in the formation of newberyite and brushite phases,which gave mechanical strength up to 17 MPa without a thermal effect.The introduction of Gd3+into the lattice was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy;the doping increased injectivity while giving rise to antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli.Assays of the cement samples soaking in Kokubo’s simulated body fluid revealed the formation of calcium phosphate coatings on the cements’surface.The cements manifested biocompatibility with the MG-63 cell line and significantly enhanced contrast when Gd-MCPC was placed into a bone defect and examined by X-ray micro-computed tomography.For the first time,visualization of a Gd-doped cement material was achieved in a model of a bone defect analyzed by MRI.

Preparation and Properties of Magnesium Oxysulfide Cement Based Foam Board Absorbing Material

In order to better solve the problem of electromagnetic pollution in the civil building cement,to improve the absorption capacity of magnesium oxysulfide cement based materials,and to better use sulfur oxide magnesium cement foamed sheet for improvement of electromagnetic industry,this paper uses the excellent microwave absorbing properties of ferrite and the modified sulfur oxide magnesium cement foam board,and discusses the microwave absorbing performance,aiming at improving the electromagnetic pollution in daily life.The effects of ferrite and silicon carbide doping on microwave absorption properties of modified magnesium oxysulfate cement were studied.At the same time,the wave absorbing properties of the corresponding samples were detected by bow method,and the causes of the corresponding phenomena were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The results show that the lowest reflectance of the material is-17.9 dB at 34.1 GHz and the average reflectance of the whole band is-15.9 dB under the target frequency band of 26.5-40 GHz.Under the action of external magnetic field,the absorbing particles are affected by magnetization force,magnetic dipole and resistance coupling,and play the absorbing effect in the cement base solidified completely in the electromagnetic field environment.The lowest reflectance is-17.3dB at 36.4GHz and the average reflectance is-14.3dB for the whole band.

Effect of Sodium Tripolyphosphate and Silica Fume on Hydration of High Alumina Cement

It was found that silica fume can reduce the maximum hydration heat release rate of cement by microcalorimetry,inhibit CAH_(10),promote the generation of C_(3)AH_(6)and strätlingite C_(2)ASH_(8),or promote the conversion of CAH_(10)to C_(3)AH_(6).Sodium tripolyphosphate can retard the early hydration of cement,have a slight effect on 1 d hydration products of cement and inhibit the generation hydration products.Sodium tripolyphosphate and silica fume can promote the early hydration of cement,advance the formation of C_(2)ASH_(8)or the conversion from CAH_(10)to C_(3)AH_(6)at 1 d.

Carbonation of Pure Minerals in Portland Cement:Evolution in Products as a Function of Water-to-solid Ratio

Minerals in Portland cement including tricalcium silicate(C_(3)S),β-dicalcium silicate(β-C_(2)S),tricalcium aluminate(C_(3)A),and tetracalcium ferroaluminate(C_(4)AF),show a significantly different activity and product evolution for CO_(2)curing at various water-to-solid ratios.These pure minerals were synthesized and subject to CO_(2)curing in this study to make an in-depth understanding for the carbonation properties of cement-based materials.Results showed that the optimum water-to-solid ratios of C_(3)S,β-C_(2)S,C_(3)A and C_(4)AF were 0.25,0.15,0.30 and 0.40 for carbonation,corresponding to 2 h carbonation degree of 38.5%,38.5%,24.2%,and 21.9%,respectively.The produced calcite duringβ-C_(2)S carbonation decreased as the water-to-solid ratio increased,with an increase in content of metastable CaCO_(3)of vaterite and aragonite.The thermodynamic stability of CaCO_(3)produced during carbonation was C_(3)A>C_(4)AF>β-C_(2)S>C_(3)S.The carbonation degree of Portland cement was predicted based on the results of pure minerals and the composition of cement,and the error of predicted production of CaCO_(3)was only 1.1%,which provides a potential method to predict carbonation properties of systems with a complex mineral composition.

Microstructural evolution and strengthening mechanism of aligned steel fiber cement-based tail backfills exposed to electromagnetic induction

Cemented tailings backfill(CTB)not only boosts mining safety and cuts surface environmental pollution but also recovers ores previously retained as pillars,thereby improving resource utilization.The use of alternative reinforcing products,such as steel fiber(SF),has continuously strengthened CTB into SFCTB.This approach prevents strength decreases over time and reinforces its long-term durability,especially when mining ore in adjacent underground stopes.In this study,various microstructure and strength tests were performed on SFCTB,considering steel fiber ratio and electromagnetic induction strength effects.Lab findings show that combining steel fibers and their distribution dominantly influences the improvement of the fill’s strength.Fill’s strength rises by fiber insertion and has an evident correlation with fiber insertion and magnetic induction strength.When magnetic induction strength is 3×10^(-4) T,peak uniaxial compressive stress reaches 5.73 MPa for a fiber ratio of 2.0vol%.The cracks’expansion mainly started from the specimen’s upper part,which steadily expanded downward by increasing the load until damage occurred.The doping of steel fiber and its directional distribution delayed crack development.When the doping of steel fiber was 2.0vol%,SFCTBs showed excellent ductility characteristics.The energy required for fills to reach destruction increases when steel-fiber insertion and magnetic induction strength increase.This study provides notional references for steel fibers as underground filling additives to enhance the fill’s durability in the course of mining operations.

Recycling arsenic-containing bio-leaching residue after thermal treatment in cemented paste backfill:Structure modification,binder properties and environmental assessment

The substantial arsenic(As)content present in arsenic-containing bio-leaching residue(ABR)presents noteworthy environ-mental challenges attributable to its inherent instability and susceptibility to leaching.Given its elevated calcium sulfate content,ABR exhibits considerable promise for industrial applications.This study delved into the feasibility of utilizing ABR as a source of sulfates for producing super sulfated cement(SSC),offering an innovative binder for cemented paste backfill(CPB).Thermal treatment at varying temperatures of 150,350,600,and 800℃ was employed to modify ABR’s performance.The investigation encompassed the examination of phase transformations and alterations in the chemical composition of As within ABR.Subsequently,the hydration characteristics of SSC utilizing ABR,with or without thermal treatment,were studied,encompassing reaction kinetics,setting time,strength development,and microstructure.The findings revealed that thermal treatment changed the calcium sulfate structure in ABR,consequently impacting the resultant sample performance.Notably,calcination at 600℃ demonstrated optimal modification effects on both early and long-term strength attributes.This enhanced performance can be attributed to the augmented formation of reaction products and a densified micro-structure.Furthermore,the thermal treatment elicited modifications in the chemical As fractions within ABR,with limited impact on the As immobilization capacity of the prepared binders.

Preparation and Reinforcement Adaptability of Jute Fiber Reinforced Magnesium Phosphate Cement Based Composite Materials

To improve the brittleness characteristics of magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(MPC)and to promote its promotion and application in the field of structural reinforcement and repair,this study aimed to increase the toughness of MPC by adding jute fiber,explore the effects of different amounts of jute fiber on the working and mechanical properties of MPC,and prepare jute fiber reinforced magnesium phosphate cement-based materials(JFRMPC)to reinforce damaged beams.The improvement effect of beam performance before and after reinforcement was compared,and the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of jute fiber on MPC were explored through microscopic analysis.The experimental results show that,as the content of jute fiber(JF)increases,the fluidity and setting time of MPC decrease continuously;When the content of jute fiber is 0.8%,the compressive strength,flexural strength,and bonding strength of MPC at 28 days reach their maximum values,which are increased by 18.0%,20.5%,and 22.6%compared to those of M0,respectively.The beam strengthened with JFRMPC can withstand greater deformation,with a deflection of 2.3 times that of the unreinforced beam at failure.The strain of the steel bar is greatly reduced,and the initial crack and failure loads of the reinforced beam are increased by 192.1%and 16.1%,respectively,compared to those of the unreinforced beam.The JF added to the MPC matrix dissipates energy through tensile fracture and debonding pull-out,slowing down stress concentration and inhibiting the free development of cracks in the matrix,enabling JFRMPC to exhibit higher strength and better toughness.The JF does not cause the hydration of MPC to generate new compounds but reduces the amount of hydration products generated.

An Investigation into the Performances of Cement Mortar Incorporating Superabsorbent Polymer Synthesized with Kaolin

Cement-based materials are fundamental in the construction industry,and enhancing their properties is an ongoing challenge.The use of superabsorbent polymers(SAP)has gained significant attention as a possible way to improve the performance of cement-based materials due to their unique water-absorption and retention properties.This study investigates the multifaceted impact of kaolin intercalation-modified superabsorbent polymers(K-SAP)on the properties of cement mortar.The results show that K-SAP significantly affects the cement mortar’s rheological behavior,with distinct phases of water absorption and release,leading to changes in workability over time.Furthermore,K-SAP alters the hydration kinetics,delaying the exothermic peak of hydration and subsequently modifying the heat release kinetics.Notably,K-SAP effectively maintains a higher internal relative humidity within the mortar,reducing the autogenous shrinkage behavior.Moreover,K-SAP can have a beneficial effect on pore structure and this can be ascribed to the internal curing effect of released water from K-SAP.

Effect of Sintering Temperature on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nanocrystalline Cemented Carbide

WC-Co nanocrystalline nitrogen-containing cemented carbides were prepared by vacuum sintering and low pressure sintering.The sintering processes of Cr_(2)(C,N)doped nano WC-Co powders were studied by using thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline cemented carbide was studied by scanning electron microscope(SEM),high resolution transmission electron microscope(HRTEM)and mechanical property test.The results showed that the nano WC grains began to grow in the solid phase sintering stage.A high-performance nano-nitrogen-containing cemented carbide with uniform microstructure and good interfacial bonding can be obtained by increasing the sintering temperature to 1380℃.It has a transverse rupture strength(TRS)of 5057 MPa and a hardness of 1956 HV30.

Properties and Characterization of Two Clays Raw Material from Mountain District (West of Côte d’Ivoire) for Use in Low-Carbon Cements

This work was devoted to the study of the physico-chemical properties of two clay minerals from the Mountain District (West Côte d'Ivoire) referenced ME1 and ME2. These samples were characterized by the experimental techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), Differential Thermal Analysis and Thermogravimetry (DTA-TG), Brunauer, Emett and Teller method (BET), laser particle size analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The main results of these analyses reveal that the two clay samples mainly contain quartz (52.91% for ME1 and 51.72% for ME2), kaolinite (36.60% for ME1 and 41.6% for ME2) and associated phases, namely goethite and hematite (13.47% for ME1 and 11.00% for ME2). The specific surface values obtained for samples ME1 and ME2 are 34.78 m2/g and 29.18 m2/g respectively. The results obtained show that the samples studied belong to the kaolinite family. After calcination, they could have good pozzolanic activity and therefore be used in the manufacture of low-carbon cements.

Influence of Recycled Concrete Fine Powder on Durability of Cement Mortar

In this paper,the durability of cement mortar prepared with a recycled-concrete fine powder(RFP)was examined;including the analysis of a variety of aspects,such as the carbonization,sulfate attack and chloride ion erosion resistance.The results indicate that the influence of RFP on these three aspects is different.The carbonization depth after 30 days and the chloride diffusion coefficient of mortar containing 10%RFP decreased by 13.3%and 28.19%.With a further increase in the RFP content,interconnected pores formed between the RFP particles,leading to an acceleration of the penetration rate of CO_(2)and Cl^(−).When the RFP content was less than 50%,the corrosion resistance coefficient of the compressive strength of the mortar was 0.84-1.05 after 90 days of sulfate attack.But the expansion and cracking of the mortar was effectively alleviated due to decrease of the gypsum production.Scanning electron microscope(SEM)analysis has confirmed that 10%RFP contributes to the formation of a dense microstructure in the cement mortar.