The rheological behaviour of drilling mud formulated with sodium hydroxide extracts of Bitter-leaf (BL), Pawpaw (PL), Almond (AL) and Moringa (ML) leaves applied as surfactant (emulsifiers) was studied. The rheological properties (plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP), and gel strength) of the mud were measured using standard procedures. The mud specific gravity for BLEM and PLEM was observed to give same value (1.08) as that of the C1 mud. pH of the formulated mud were all alkaline and in the order BLEM (8.6) > PLEM (8.3) > ALEM (8.3) > C1(8.3) > MLEM (8.2) > C2 (8.2). The highest PV (19cP) was recorded by PLEM at 30ºC, while the least value (6cP) was by C2 at 60ºC temperatures. Highest YP (70 1b/100ft2) was recorded by C2 while the lowest YP value (22 1b/100ft2) by C1 both at 30ºC. Gel strength at 10 seconds showed reduction in value as the temperature increased for MLEM, ALEM, C2 and C1 formulated mud and recorded maximum of 45 1b/100 ft2 at 30ºC for C2 while the lowest gel strength was reported by C1 at 60ºC. The results obtained from the study showed that the various alkaline plant extracts used as emulsifying agent have no negative effect on the rheological properties of the formulated mud, rather it enhances the rheological properties even after aging of the mud at 65oC. These results therefore, show the need to use the various plant extracts as alternative additive (emulsifying agent) in the formulation of water based drilling mud.

One of the naturally abundant minerals with diverse industrial applications is the clay mineral. The choice of application depends on the characteristics of the clay. In this study, internal composition of the large and untapped Ogwuta clay deposit located in Afikpo, South Eastern Nigeria was further investigated as a guide to its applications. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric (TG), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were employed to access its composition. The scanning electron micrograph revealed that the clumping of the clay particles was due to edge-to-edge, edge-to-face or face-to-face flocculation. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that at temperature range of 153-325°C, the observed weight percent loss (13.67%), consistent with kaolinitic clays, was due to the removal of water of crystallization of the interlayer cations. X-ray diffraction result further revealed kaolinite as the predominant mineral with the presence of quartz and polygorskite. This study has revealed the applicability of Ogwuta source clay in both industrial and manufacturing activities.

Aims: Ogwuta clay from Unwana in the South Eastern part of Nigeria was modified by ion exchange reaction using hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (HDTMAC). Study Design: This study was analyzed experimentally and instrumentally. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The sample collection, literature search, experiment, results and analysis lasted for one and half years. Methodology: Physicochemical and thermal properties of the clay were determined after modification using classical and spectroscopic techniques. A combination of the wet and dry method (X-ray Fluorescence) was used to determine the metal oxide composition. Other techniques included; Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetry (TG). The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) was determined using the methylene blue method with a value of 16.4 meq/100g after modification. Results: The product was slightly acidic with pH 4.3. Silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3), Na+, and K+ were found to be 47.58 %, 18.99%, 2.27, and 0.23% respectively. The clay was limited in mineral impurities with 0.0% T4+, 0.41% Mg2+, and 0.11% Ca2+ but high in carbonaceous matter with loss on ignition (LOI) of 13.17%. A C-H asymmetric stretching was visible around the 2931.9 cm-1 region as revealed by the Fourier Transform Infra-Red analysis. The X-Ray Diffraction analysis of the modified clay showed a basal spacing of 8.121 Å. Also, the X-Ray Diffractogram revealed kaolinite as the major clay mineral with the presence of quartz and polygorskite. Conclusion: This study posits that the modified clay can be potentially suitable for the adsorptive removal of organic contaminants in aqueous and real life media.

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