Biocidal Additive Blend for Microbial Control in Oil and Gas Water Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biocides used in industrial water systems are ineffective for long-term microbial control due to rapid degradation and require high quantities, leading to environmental concerns and increased costs, while also causing issues like slime formation and corrosion in oil and gas field water systems.

Innovation Solution

A biocidal additive blend of a biguanide compound and a polymeric ammonium compound is used to achieve a minimum inhibitory concentration, providing both immediate and persistent control of bacterial growth in water systems, including those in oil and gas applications, by synergistically controlling anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known biocides are used to control microbial growth, then microbial populations are inhibited, but the biocidal effect is of limited duration and requires continuous replenishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial control effectivenessVSAvoidbiocidal effect duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the biocidal composition by combining multiple biocidal agents with different mechanisms of action and stability characteristics. This creates a formulation where at least one agent maintains effectiveness after others degrade, extending the overall duration of microbial control without requiring continuous replenishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If large quantities of biocides are used to achieve desired biocidal effect, then microbial growth is controlled, but environmental harm increases and discharge is limited by regulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite biocidal formulation containing multiple biocidal agents with different modes of action and environmental profiles. This composite approach achieves effective microbial control through synergistic or additive effects, allowing lower total biocide application rates while maintaining reliability, thereby reducing environmental harm and regulatory compliance issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If known biocides are applied frequently at multiple sites, then microbial growth is controlled, but labor costs and material costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial control effectivenessVSAvoidtotal biocide consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates a biocidal composition with extended-duration agents that provide prolonged microbial control after initial application. This preliminary action with long-lasting protection reduces the frequency and quantity of subsequent biocide applications needed, thereby lowering both labor costs and total material consumption while maintaining effective microbial control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If micro-organisms are present in water systems, then slime formation occurs, but slime restricts water flow, reduces heat transfer efficiency, and causes corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operational reliabilityVSAvoidslime formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses biocidal agents as intermediaries to prevent microbial growth that would otherwise lead to slime formation. These agents act as mediators between the water system and micro-organisms, eliminating the biological precursor to slime without directly affecting the physical water flow or heat transfer properties, thereby maintaining system operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 biocidal additive effectively reduces bacterial concentrations in both surface and downhole environments, offering quick initial control and long-lasting protection against slime formation and corrosion, while reducing the need for frequent replenishment and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

adding a biocidal additive to the well treatment fluid to achieve a minimum inhibitory concentration or greater in the well treatment fluid. The biocidal additive is a blend of a biguanide compound and a polymeric ammonium compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocidal action:

Data Source

PatentUS10640699B2Treatment of circulating water systems including well treatment fluids for oil and gas applications

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 ITALMATCH CHEM GB LTD

AI summary

A biocidal additive includes a blend of a biguanide compound and a polymeric ammonium compound. A method of treating a water system includes adding a biocidal additive to the water system to achieve a minimum inhibitory concentration or greater in the water system. In exemplary embodiments, the water system is a well treatment fluid for oil and gas applications, the blend is a synergistic blend, the biguanide compound is polyhexamethylene biguanide, and the polymeric ammonium compound is poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene dichloride].