The chemistry of Portland cement paired with polymer-based admixtures is one of the most active areas in scientific research and development. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is ubiquitous worldwide in infrastructure construction and requires the design of cement slurries using combinations of chemical admixtures to control cement properties. The intermolecular interactions between chemical admixtures and cement directly affect the hydration rate of cement and slurry performance. For this reason, a single cement slurry may consist of up to twelve different admixtures. To promote students’ exposure to chemical admixture application in cementing, this hands-on learning project is designed for upper-level students.<br/><br/>The effect on rheological properties by adding a polymer-based dispersant in a cement slurry design of different densities, is used to illustrate to advanced graduate students the impact polymer design has on macro-rheological properties of fluids. Dispersants, like sulfonated acetone-formaldehyde condensate (SAFC), are polymers that control the complicated rheological behavior of cement. Students developed the laboratory skills needed to design and optimize cement systems with good rheological properties using a viscometer to measure cement fluidity and workability. After cement sets, students use the compressive strength of cement and gradient densities to professionally analyze data and conclusions on cement design and performance.

Chemical admixture application on cement slurry design

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.