Critical evaluation of effects of polymer concentrations on the set time and compressive strength of cement slurries

Thickening time and compressive strength of cement slurry are very critical parameters in well cementing. Thickening or pump time and compressive strength of cement slurries are greatly affected by the slurry weight and temperature. Conventional Lead slurries usually require extenders such as bentonite and some polymers to stabilize the slurry and minimize excessive free fluid. The low slurry weight of lead slurries usually give rise to long pumping or set time and low compressive strength. Some of the polymers also retard the setting of the cement slurry. Therefore, this study focuses on the investigation of the performance of sodium silicate in comparison with gypsum and polyanionic cellulose (PAC-R) as extenders for cement slurries. The concentration of the light weight additives tested were 0%, 1.5% and 3.0% by weight of cement (bwoc) for 12.5ppg slurry using sea water. The slurry stability, compressive strength and quick set time were determined at room temperature. The higher the concentration of the lightweight additives, the more stable is the slurry, best stability was observed for recipe with sodium silicate while the slurry with PAC-R could not mix at 3% bwoc. At the lower concentrations, for sodium silicate, compressive increases and decreases for gypsum. The mixture with PAC-R had zero compressive strength. The gypsum has retarding effect on the slurry while the sodium silicate has accelerating effect. Conclusively, sodium silicate and gypsum powder performed very well as cement extender at optimum concentration, with the former showing the best performance and impacting accelerating properties that will be useful fort low temperature cementing.