Design of a lightweight cementing material on basis of geopolymer and gas-forming agent

Abstract

According to most researchers, the most promising alternative plugging materials are geopolymers - inorganic cementitious materials formed as a result of reaction of aluminosilicates with alkaline activator. Lightweight geopolymer mortars are of particular interest, allowing to considerably expand the conditions of application of such systems in cementing operations. To create lightweight geopolymer solutions, in the presented study the following agents were used as gas-forming agents: ferrosilicium slag and aluminum powder (AP). Ferrosilicium slag (FSS) is an industrial byproduct that is based on the oxidation process of free silicon in a chemical reaction. The application of FSS and AP leads to a 27% and 23% decrease in specific gravity of the specimens examined, an improvement in their mechanical properties, in particular increasing compressive strength by 3.9%, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity by 2.8% and 3.7% respectively, splitting tensile strength by 5.9%, compared to the use of AP as an extender additive. Keywords: geopolymer; gas-forming agent; well cementing; lightweight cement; zonal isolation.