Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Schlumberger is the world's largest provider of technology, services, software, and project management to thex000D
petroleum industry. Schlumberger would like to use cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in a variety of fluids relatedx000D
to oil & gas extraction in an effort to improve their rheological performance, colloidal stability, mechanicalx000D
strength, and increase their renewable/biodegradable content. However, CNCs are thermally unstable abovex000D
150 degrees C, which makes them unsuitable for such applications.x000D
This project is a continuation on an Engage Grant and aims to produce CNCs that are more thermally andx000D
colloidally stable and that do not lose their favourable properties at high temperatures. In our preliminary study,x000D
we produced CNCs with new acids and new acid combinations that allowed us to tailor particle size,x000D
thermal/colloidal stability; however, the stability was still not sufficient for oil & gas applications (e.g., 250x000D
degrees C, 20,000 psi and brine-level salt conditions). This current project will elucidate the dominant factorsx000D
responsible for CNC thermal stability in both dry and wet conditions and will examine CNC performance inx000D
brine and cement foams. We will also investigate a new surface modification route for CNCs, which will bex000D
done during the CNC production, as a method to impart steric stabilization. We will compare the thermal,x000D
chemical, rheological and physical properties of the improved-stability CNCs to more conventional CNCs.x000D
CNCs are a Canadian innovation produced from wood pulp with potential application in paints, packaging,x000D
food, and composites, however oil & gas fluids would represent the first high volume application. Through thisx000D
work, Schlumberger will be able to assess CNCs in various applications which will give them a significantx000D
market advantage. The IP developed will be exploited by Schlumberger and their customers in Canada. We arex000D
committed to helping the forestry and cleantech sectors by developing products with a greener footprint. Thex000D
impact of this work will be economically significant for Canada, will lead to job creation in Canada and willx000D
ensure that we remain at the forefront of CNC discoveries.