Characteristic study of graphene oxide with binder coated proppant

Hydraulic fracturing is an effective technique to enhance production in a low permeability reservoir. It generates flow to the stuck production forecasts. A substance known as a proppant is essential in hydraulic fracturing to ensure the efficiency of the operation. In this study, the sand from desired area Terengganu and Perak is used as an alternative. Due to the limitation as uncoated, the coating of Graphene Oxide (GO) and binder on the sand is done to improve the characteristic. GO is synthesized from graphite powder through modified Hummer’s Method which then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopy (FTIR) by comparing with graphite. The diffraction pattern from both equipment confirmed that the graphite has been converted to GO through Hummer’s Method. The type of binder used is a chitosan. Once coating, the resulting samples are characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR and tested to evaluate their performance by its particle size or sieve analysis, acid solubility, roundness and sphericity, turbidity and crush resistance. The result of the coating should meet the specifications set by American Petroleum Institute (API19C) or International Standard Organization (ISO 13503-2). The results obtained from the analysis found that the sands show promising results even though do not completely surpass at certain characteristics for roundness and sphericity and acid solubility. The aim is to qualify the coating to become a potential treatment in hydraulic fracturing.