Acrylamido Polymer Aqueous Formulation for Fracturing Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyacrylamide-based polymers used in hydraulic fracturing often gel when exposed to water, making them difficult to handle and store, especially at elevated temperatures, and require additional equipment or surfactants that can damage formations.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous formulation comprising acrylamido polymers and a quaternary ammonium compound, which prevents hydration and maintains a flowable state, even at elevated temperatures, and can be stabilized with an additional salt for extended storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyacrylamide-based polymers are mixed with water for hydraulic fracturing, then the polymer hydrates and dissolves to provide friction reduction, but the formulation becomes viscous and gels, making it difficult to handle and store
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses invert emulsion technology where polymer particles are suspended in a water-in-oil emulsion matrix. The emulsion acts as an intermediary carrier that prevents direct contact between polymer and bulk water during storage, avoiding gelation while enabling rapid hydration upon injection into the fracturing fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the polymer formulation by converting from conventional aqueous solutions to invert emulsions with specific oil-to-water ratios and surfactant concentrations, transforming the system from a gel-prone state to a stable, flowable state during storage.
2Reliability
If polymer is delivered as powder, then high polymer activity is achieved, but specialized equipment is required to hydrate the polymer prior to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary hydration action during the emulsion preparation stage, where polymer particles are pre-dispersed and stabilized within the invert emulsion matrix. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate hydration equipment at the application site, as the polymer is already in a pre-hydrated, stable form.
3Ease of operation
If slurry polymer is used, then handling is simplified, but polymer activity decreases and expensive inert fluid is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining polymer particles, water, and oil in an invert emulsion structure. This composite formulation maintains high polymer activity while providing slurry-like handling properties, eliminating the need for large amounts of inert fluid used in conventional slurry preparations.
4Ease of operation
If invert emulsion polymer is used, then polymer delivery is achieved, but surfactants and inert fluid may damage formation and delay polymer hydration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the emulsion parameters including reducing surfactant concentration to minimal effective levels, adjusting oil-to-water ratios, and controlling particle size distribution. These parameter changes reduce the amount of potentially harmful surfactants and inert fluids while maintaining stable delivery and rapid hydration characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The formulation allows for rapid hydration and maintains stability, reducing friction in fracturing fluids and extending shelf life, enabling efficient use in hydraulic fracturing and other applications without the need for specialized equipment or surfactants that might harm formations.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous formulations of polyacrylamido type polymers... hydrophilic groups in the polymers hydrate if they come into contact with enough water molecules
Implementation Method 2
polymer reduces turbulent flow of the fluid. This allows for a reduction in pumping pressure and a potential increase in pump rate
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous formulation for slick water fracturing includes (i) a polymer (AA) which includes acrylamido repeat units and may be a polyacrylamide; (ii) water; and (iii) a quaternary ammonium compound.