The effects of polymer and surfactant on polymer enhanced foam stability

Polymer addition to foam has been proposed to enhance foam stability. Polymers can be used as a viscosifying agent of the aqueous surfactant solution of the external phase of foam, increasing apparent foam viscosity and thus reducing foam drainage rate. In this study a high and low molecular weight of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide polymer were used as the viscosification agent. Two ionic surfactants including Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were also used as the foaming agent. All solutions were also prepared in fresh water and 2-wt% NaCl to emphasize the effects of salt presence on foam stability. Experimental results showed that both SDS and SDBS surfactants were compatible with polyacrylamide polymer addition and promising results were achieved. Higher molecular weight polymer was more effective than lower molecular weight and produced foams were more stable when high molecular weight polymer was used. Foam stability was in a direct relationship with polymer addition and increasing polymer concentration enhanced foam stability in all solutions.