Mathematical Modeling of the Differential Sticking Coefficient of Clay Drilling Fluids

The main objective of this work is to propose a mathematical model for the differential sticking coefficient of clayey drilling fluids with a lubricant as an additive and evaluate the influence of differential pressure and lubricant content on filter cake thickness and permeability. Tests were carried out on fluids composed of water and 4.86% of active bentonite clay prepared in Hamilton Beach agitators at a high rotation speed (17000 rpm) for 20 minutes. After a 24-hour time-out in a closed container, lubricants were added to the fluids at different levels. To obtain the differential sticking coefficient (DSC), and the filter cake, a differential sticking tester by Fann with a spherical torque plate was used, and the filter cake thickness was determined in an extensometer. The setting time, differential pressure, and lubricant content were defined as the input variables (independent variables) to the DSC mathematical model. The differential pressure and lubricant rate were the independent variables to the mathematical model of filter cake thickness (FCT) and permeability (K), which varied according to a factorial planning, was known as a second order model. The experimental data regression was performed utilizing Statistic software, version 7.0. The results clearly showed that it was possible to obtain a statistically meaningful and predictive mathematical model for DSC. It was also observed that the increase in the lubricant content was responsible for a DSC value reduction due to the fact that the lubricant was a dispersing agent reducing the filtrate volume and the filter cake thickness, and thereby decreasing the sticking risk due to differential pressure. Finally, from the analysis of point values and response surfaces for FCT and K, it was possible to observe tendencies that made clear that the differential pressure and lubricant content influenced filter cake properties

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora