Fractal characteristics of granularity distributions of aqueous bentonite and bentonite–polymer muds

In order to explore the possibility of characterizing quantitatively the granularity distributions of dispersed clay particles in aqueous drilling fluids, the fractal approach was used to analyze the granularity distribution data for various bentonite and bentonite–polymer muds. It is found that these granularity distributions are characteristic of fractal nature and their inhomogeneity can be measured by the fractal dimensions. Depending on the composition of the muds and treatment conditions, various fractal dimensions were obtained and discussed.