The exploration of making acidproof fracturing proppants using red mud

In this study, the exploration of making acidproof fracturing proppants using red mud was carried out. The main raw materials are red mud and the refractory waste. During the exploration, three methods were explored to enhance the acid resistance of the samples of the fracturing proppants. Eventually, fracturing proppants with good acid resistance were produced using red mud, the refractory waste, barium carbonate and plasticizer. The acid solubility of the samples of the acidproof fracturing proppants was less than 4.5% which reached the demands of The Petroleum and Gas Industrial Standards of China (SY/T5108-2006). The results show that adding barium carbonate to the raw materials can decrease the acid solubility of the samples effectively. The main reason is the monoclinic celsian-BaAl2Si2O8 formed in sintering process which can protect the other compositions of the acidproof fracturing proppants to prevent them from erosion by acid. The exploration shows that it is probable to produce fracturing proppants with good acid resistance using red mud.