Deflocculation
Deflocculation is the process of breaking up the flocculent state. Defolocculants are thinning agents, which reduce the viscosity to disperse the particles flocking together in the mud system. It should be noted that deflocculated mud is not the same as dispersed mud. Traditionally, tannins, lignosulfonates, and lignites are used as deflocculants but many high-performance WBMs use short-chained polymers or surfactants instead.
A deflocculated mud usually shows much improved filter-cake qualities, lower yield point, and gel strengths. Filter-cake quality is improved because the platelets become detached from each other and can lie flat to form a thin, low-permeability filter cake. Lowering yield point and gel strength beyond a point may not be desirable and should be adjusted through appropriate chemical treatment. If yield points and gels are lowered too far, the suspension and cutting capacity of the mud could reduce.