Aspartic Acid Polymer Inhibits Halite Scale in Oil Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
The formation of halite scale in hydrocarbon producing wells reduces production efficiency and requires extensive use of fresh water, leading to environmental concerns and high operational costs, as conventional scale inhibitors are often not environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
The use of an aspartic acid based polymer, such as polyaspartic acid, is introduced into the well bore with treatment water at specified concentrations to inhibit halite scale formation, reducing the need for fresh water and minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treatment water is used to control halite scale formation, then scale formation is inhibited, but treatment water consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces biodegradable polymers as intermediary substances that mediate between the halite scale and the treatment water. These polymers adsorb onto halite crystal surfaces, modifying their growth kinetics and preventing scale formation without requiring large volumes of treatment water. The polymer acts as a bridge that interferes with the direct interaction between water and scale-forming minerals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the system by introducing biodegradable polymers with specific molecular weights and functional groups. This alters the interfacial properties between water and halite crystals, changing the scale formation mechanism from direct precipitation to polymer-mediated inhibition, thereby reducing treatment water requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional scale inhibitors are used to control halite scale formation, then scale formation is inhibited, but environmental contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable polymers that are designed to break down naturally in the environment after performing their scale inhibition function. These polymers are consumed and degraded over time, converting into harmless byproducts, thus eliminating the persistent environmental contamination associated with conventional non-biodegradable scale inhibitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of chemical contamination into a benefit by selecting polymers that degrade into environmentally friendly substances. The degradation process transforms what could be a harmful persistent chemical into beneficial or neutral organic matter that can be assimilated by natural ecosystems.
3Reliability
If treatment water is used to dissolve halite deposits, then existing scale is removed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies biodegradable polymers in advance to prevent scale formation before it occurs. By maintaining a protective polymer layer on surfaces, the need for subsequent scale removal operations using large volumes of treatment water is eliminated, thereby avoiding the high operational costs associated with scale remediation.
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 aspartic acid based polymer significantly reduces halite scale formation, allowing for a substantial decrease in treatment water usage by up to 95% while maintaining well productivity and adhering to environmental standards, thus reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
providing an environmentally friendly polymer, such as a biodegradable polymer (e.g., an aspartic acid based polymer), to the subterranean well
Data Source
AI summary
An amount of treatment water injected into a subterranean well may be reduced by providing an environmentally friendly polymer, such as a biodegradable polymer (e.g., an aspartic acid based polymer), to the subterranean well. In some cases, the aspartic acid based polymer may include one or more of a copolymer of the aspartic acid based polymer, a terpolymer of the aspartic acid based polymer, an aspartic acid based polymer derivative, an aspartic acid based polymer having an end cap, and a soluble salt of the aspartic acid based polymer. In some cases, the treatment water use may be reduced within the range of about five percent to about ninety five percent.