Guar gum improved electrolyte compatibility. These changes in properties result in increased use in different fields, like textile printing, explosives, and oil-water fracturing applications. Guar molecules have a tendency to aggregate during the hydraulic fracturing process, mainly due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding. These aggregates are detrimental to oil recovery because they clog the fractures, restricting the flow of oil. Cross-linking guar polymer chains prevents aggregation by forming metal – hydroxyl complexes. The first crosslinked guar gels were developed in the late ‘60’s. Several metal additives have been used for crosslinking, among them are chromium, aluminum, antimony, zirconium, and the more commonly used,
Guar Guar The Guar or cluster bean, with the botanical name Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is an annual legume and the source of guar gum. It is also known as Gavar, Guwar, or Guvar bean. The origin of "Cyamopsis tetragonoloba" is unknown, since it has never been found in the wild. It is assumed to have developed from the African species "Cyamopsis senegalensis". It was further domesticated in India and Pakistan, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. Guar grows well in semiarid areas, but frequent rainfall is necessary. This legume is a very valuable plant within a crop rotation cycle, as