Recently, conventional viscosifiers exhibit limited effectiveness under deep formations due to their poor salt tolerance and low thermal resistance. To address the limitations, a thermo-responsive macromonomer (DAM) consisting of N,N-diethylacrylamide and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide was copolymerized with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate and chemically modified nano-silica (N-np) to obtain an effective thermo-thickening/Nano-SiO2 polymer composite (N-DPAM) via in-situ polymerization under optimal conditions. The molecular structure of N-DPAM was analyzed by FTIR and H-1 NMR, while rheological and rheometric responses under high temperature, salt dosages, and shear resistance were investigated. The rheometric results demonstrated that DPAM exhibits a viscosity increase of 235% from 65 to 160 degrees C, but rapidly decreased at 180 degrees C, whereas N-DPAM displayed stabilized thickening responses of 218% above 160 degrees C due to intercalation and self-assembly of N-np within the polymer matrix as temperature increases. The viscosity retention rate (VRR) at a high shear rate of 1021 s(-1) and 200 degrees C indicated that the solution viscosity of N-DPAM was observed at 55 mPa s, which is 13 times higher compared to DPAM solution at 4 mPa s. From the rheological results, the VRR of N-DPAM fluid observed at 68% was slightly lower than that of HE300 at 73%, a commercially available viscosity additive in a salt-free environment at 200 degrees C, but three times higher (63%) than HE300 (25%) in the salt-saturated environment (20% NaCl). Additionally, a study of N-DPAM fluid contaminated by shaly soil from Dagang Oilfield demonstrated excellent compatibility with a filtration control agent to control the viscosity and filtration volumes (< 10 mL) at 200 degrees C.

Improper disposal of substantial scrap tires can result in significant environmental issues, such as air pollution, water resources, and soil contamination. The scrap tires can be turned into valuable materials by preparing tire rubber powder into Crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA). This method can effectively reduce environmental pollution and achieve the concept of energy conservation, environmental protection, and low-carbon. However, during the production process of CRMA mixtures, the elevated construction temperature may induce more severe short-term aging of the mixtures. The standard laboratory short-term aging scheme of asphalt binders, the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT), cannot simulate the short-term aging of CRMA due to the increase in construction temperature. Besides, the determination methods and indices of RTFOT aging temperature are still unclear and inconsistent. In this study, three CRMA binders were treated by RTFOT with five temperatures, and the short-term oven aging (STOA) protocol was conducted on CRMA mixtures with three types of gradations. Firstly, the chemical and rheological performance of CRMA binders and mixtures were investigated by conducting Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic shear rheology (DSR) tests, and Bending beam rheometer (BBR) test. Then, the equivalent aging temperatures were determined to optimize RTFOT temperatures by comparing the chemical indicators of binders and mixtures. Finally, the correlations of chemical and rheological indices were established, and the rheological properties of aged asphalt in mixtures were predicted. The analysis results indicate that suitable RTFOT temperature is not only related to the technical routes and viscosity of CRMA binders, but also relevant to the mixture gradations. Binders with higher viscosity need elevated RTFOT temperatures from 173 degrees C to 193 degrees C, especially simulating short-term aging of mixtures with higher air voids. The swelling and degradation of crumb rubber contribute to the enhancement of the anti-aging performance. The aging index (AI) can reflect the anti-aging performance of CRMA binders, and the variation of AI can validate the rationality of the optimized RTFOT temperatures.