Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Hydrophobically Associating Relative Permeability Modifier

A novel hydrophobically associating copolymer P (MPEGA-DMAEMA) has been synthesized by inverse emulsion polymerization, using N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methoxy polyethylene glycol acrylate (MPEGA) as comonomers. The synthesized copolymer has been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TA) and intrinsic viscosity measurement. The results reveal that P (MPEGA-DMAEMA) copolymer has been synthesized successfully. The copolymer has a smooth surface with many irregular caves, and has thermal stability above 170 degrees C in an atmosphere of air. Reactivity ratios of DMAEMA and MPEGA are determined by Fineman-Ross method and are shown to be equal to r(DMAEMA) = 0.29 and r(MPEGA) = 2.66. Intrinsic viscosity of the hydrophobically associating copolymer reaches 282.84mL/g at 30 degrees C. In temperature, salt and shear resistant experiments, the copolymer aqueous solution exhibits efficient anti-heat and salt resistance characteristics, and has unique rheological behavior. Coreflood experiment results show that the copolymer reduces permeability to water above 90%, while to oil under 40%, which indicates that the copolymer has obvious selectivity to water and oil.