Evaluation of shear resistance of dendritic hydrophobic association polymers

Enhancing the shear resistance of polymer systems is crucial for advancing oil recovery in the realm of chemical flooding technology. This article presents a comparative analysis of the rheological curves, hydrodynamic dimensions, dynamic adsorption, and permeation characteristics of two independently synthesized dendritic hydrophobic association polymers (DHAP) and linear polyacrylamide (HPAM), both before and after exposure to shear in porous media. The research findings indicate that linear polymer solutions exhibit inadequate shear resistance. Through the synergistic effects of association and branching structures, dendritic hydrophobic polymer solutions can partially recover their spatial configuration, thereby mitigating the impact of shear on their solution properties, including viscoelasticity, hydrodynamic size, and adsorption capacity. These polymers can achieve high dynamic retention in porous media and establish flow control capabilities through the residual resistance coefficient. Consequently, further optimization of the molecular structure and the application of non-covalent bonding forces to enhance shear resistance and adsorption retention capacity represent key directions for the future development of polymer systems.