Peroxide-Free Binder Stabilizing Gelation Time in Catalytic Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stability of binder gelation time in consolidating geological formations is challenging due to the unpredictable influence of catalytically active substances, metal ions, and environmental conditions, leading to premature solidification and clogging issues in oil and gas production.
Innovation Solution
A binder system using a heterocondensate of hydrolyzable silicon compounds and metal compounds, combined with an azo compound as a thermal polymerization initiator without peroxide functionality, which stabilizes the gelation time and is less affected by catalytically active substances and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peroxides are used as thermal polymerization initiators to control polymerization temperature, then polymerization can be initiated within relatively different temperature ranges (20-120°C), but catalytically active substances (metal ions, iron oxides) significantly alter the decomposition temperature and cause unpredictable gel formation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the initiator from peroxide to azo compound. Azo compounds decompose through a different mechanism (N-N bond cleavage) that is not catalytically affected by metal ions or iron oxides, thereby maintaining reliable and predictable gel formation time despite the presence of catalytically active substances in the formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, readily available azo compound initiator that is not sensitive to environmental catalysts. This initiator provides consistent performance without requiring complex stabilization systems, making it suitable for unpredictable downhole environments where catalytically active substances are present.
2Ease of manufacture
If peroxides are used as initiators, then polymerization can be controlled through oxygen-oxygen bond breakdown, but metal ions and iron oxide-containing components uncontrollably influence radical formation and shorten gel formation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the decomposition mechanism parameter from peroxide (O-O bond) to azo compound (N-N bond). The azo compound decomposes through nitrogen-nitrogen bond cleavage to form nitrogen gas and carbon-centered radicals, a process that is not catalytically influenced by metal ions or iron oxides, ensuring predictable gelation behavior.
3Reliability
If the binder is solidified through temperature-induced decomposition of initiators, then polymerization occurs on-site, but catalytically active substances cause premature decomposition and clogging of pipes, pumps, and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical stability parameter of the initiator by selecting an azo compound with a decomposition temperature that is not catalytically lowered by metal ions or iron oxides. This ensures the initiator remains stable during pumping and injection, preventing premature polymerization and clogging, while still decomposing reliably at the target formation temperature to enable on-site solidification.
4Productivity
If peroxide initiators are used to achieve rapid gelation, then polymerization speed is increased, but the gel formation time becomes highly sensitive to catalytically active substances and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the initiator chemistry from peroxide to azo compound, which maintains adequate polymerization rate while eliminating sensitivity to catalytically active substances. The azo compound decomposition produces radicals at a controlled rate that is not accelerated by metal ions or iron oxides, ensuring consistent gel formation time across varying environmental conditions.
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 binder system achieves consistent gelation times, reducing the risk of premature solidification and maintaining porosity, facilitating the stabilization of geological formations for oil and gas production by ensuring controlled polymerization and permeability.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal polymerization initiator without peroxide functionality, wherein the polymerization initiator is an azo compound
Implementation Method 2
combined with an azo compound as a thermal polymerization initiator without peroxide functionality, which stabilizes the gelation time
Implementation Method 3
A binder system using a heterocondensate of hydrolyzable silicon compounds and metal compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for stabilizing the binder-gel formation time during the consolidation of a geological formation in the presence of one or more catalytically active substances, in which a binder is infiltrated into the formation, optionally a part of the infiltrated binder is again expelled by rinsing with a gas or a liquid and the binder remaining in the formation is cured, wherein the binder comprises a mixture of A) a heterocondensate that can be obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of at least one hydrolyzable silicon compound and at least a metal, phosphorus or boron compound, the metal being selected from Al, Ge, Sn, Pb, Ti, Mg, Li, V, Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf, B) at least one organic polymerizable monomer or oligomer, which has one C-C double bond, and C) at least one thermal polymerization initiator without peroxide function. The gel formation time of the binder can be stabilized by using a peroxide-free initiator so that the setting behavior of the binder is relatively independent of changes in the type and concentration of additives in the binder, pH changes and catalytically active substances in the respective geological formations or in the production equipment.