MATERIAL CERÂMICO DE BAIXA DENSIDADE PARA ESCORAMENTO DE FRATURAS, E MÉTODO DE PRODUÇÃO DE MATERAIL DE ESCORAMENTO DE FRATURAS

摘要

A low-density ceramic proppant is formed from a light aggregate of a natural mineral and a ceramic binding material in the form of a proppant granule. The light aggregate expands in volume when burnt so that the density of the aggregate is changed. A method of preparing a proppant material is carried out by pre-crushing and pre-mixing of raw components. This is followed by their granulation into proppant granules, drying and screening of the granules to a selected size. The raw components include at least a ceramic binding material and a light aggregate of a natural mineral that, when burnt, expands in volume so that the specific volume of the aggregate is changed. The burning of the light aggregate may be accomplished before or after the aggregate is mixed with the binding material.