Polyacrylates are frequently added to drilling fluids in order to increase viscosity and limit formation damage. In this \vork we studied the influence of pH and salinity on the bulk flow belulviour and on tl~e permeability reduction caased by polyac~late retention in :1 porous medium, Tw)o different retention mechanisms were obsened: (non-stationary) core plugging and adsorption. TIIe plugging mecl~anism could be avoided by adding phosphate to the solution causing a destabilization of polyac~late aggregates. The permeability reduction in bot11cases was (strongly) dependent on pH and saliniu on tile injected $vater. In the alkaline regime, important for tl]e application in drilli~lg fluids. botb tile viscosity and tl]e magnitude of the permeability rcductioii were relatively Iligh.
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