Interactions of Polyelectrolyte Crystal-Growth Inhibitors with BaSO4 Surfaces

Interactions between polyelectrolyte crystal growth inhibitors and BaSO4 crystal surfaces have been studied in an attempt to better understand the factors that control the inhibition of BaSO4 scale growth and deposition in oilfield environments. Modern analytical techniques allow experimental investigation of these systems under more realistic conditions than were previously available. In this investigation, adsorption onto BaSO4, influence on BaSO4 zeta potential, and effectiveness of BaSO4 growth inhibition for poly(acrylic acid) and poly(vinylsulfonic acid) were studied in high ionic strength brines at low pH. These data demonstrate the importance of polyelectrolyte charge density for effective BaSO4 scale growth inhibition under these conditions