Development and characterization of thermo-sensitive biomass-based smart foam drainage gas recovery treatment agent

Wellbore fluid accumulation is a common issue associated with gas wells, yet traditional foam drainage gas production technology is hindered by high costs, large amounts of defoamer, and insufficient environmental performance. A biomass polymer with temperature-sensitive response characteristics was developed to improve the efficiency of foam drainage gas recovery technology. Additionally, an intelligent foam solution was prepared that was combined with cationic surfactants. The results of thermo-sensitive performance tests indicate that raising temperature increases the particle size of the copolymer, decreases the surface tension of the solution, increases turbidity, and decreases viscosity. The comprehensive performance test results demonstrate that when the ambient temperature falls below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), the foam height of the smart foaming solution is substantially higher than that of surfactant solution for 3 min, up to 57 mm. Smart foaming solution has thermo-sensitive defoaming performance, when the ambient temperature is greater than the LCST, it can quickly defoam within 3 min. After 5 thermal cycles, the foaming height is still as high as 65.6 mm. Its corrosion inhibition rate reaches an optimal value of 45.32% at 50 degrees C. With its superior temperature resistance, the scale inhibition rate of this smart foam solution remains greater than 40% at 90 degrees C. Our work provides a basis for the research and development of functional agents and improves the efficiency of foam drainage gas production.