Natural rheology modifiers for cement-sand-water slurry in pipeline systems: Role of crude saponins

This research investigates the rheological properties of cement-sand-water slurry utilizing the crude saponin extract derived from Acacia concinna Willd. DC. fruit. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of several rheological factors on the flow behavior of cement-sand-water slurry, including shear rate, yield stress, shear stress, and the correlation between them. Multiple analyses were conducted using a rotational viscometer to determine the effect of crude saponin extract at concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 0.034 g/mL on the viscosity of cement-sand-water slurry with total solid concentrations between 50% to 70% by weight. The flowability of the slurry was also improved by optimizing the cement-to-sand ratio by varying the cement concentration between 10% to 100% in the slurry. The observed rheological results were compared with a commercial surfactant, sodium lignosulfonate. An appropriate mechanistic model was employed to elucidate the interaction between the crude saponin extract, cement, sand, and water. The economic impact of the dispersant has been analyzed by calculating slurry head loss, solids conveying rate, hydraulic power requirements, and specific power consumption, applying the Darby–Melson combined equation at a slurry velocity of 2 m/s with two fixed pipes of diameters 200 mm and 250 mm, nominal bore.