Biodegradable Corrosion Inhibitor Formulations for High TDS Brines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available oilfield corrosion inhibitor formulations are environmentally harmful, incompatible with other components, and ineffective in high TDS brines, leading to costly issues like 'gunking', foam generation, and poor biodegradability.
Innovation Solution
A corrosion inhibitor composition combining biodegradable polyhydroxyacids and low molecular weight cationic compounds like choline chloride, which together provide enhanced anticorrosion effects in oxygenated high TDS brines without inducing foam or emulsion formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surfactant-based corrosion inhibitors (C8-C18 alkyl amines, diamines, amidoamines, imidazolines, quaternary ammonium salts) are used, then corrosion protection performance is improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates (poor biodegradability, bioaccumulation potential, toxicity to aquatic species)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the corrosion inhibitor by using shorter alkyl chains (C6-C10 instead of C8-C18) and selecting specific biodegradable amine structures. This parameter modification maintains corrosion protection efficacy while dramatically improving environmental compatibility through enhanced biodegradability and reduced bioaccumulation potential
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs readily biodegradable corrosion inhibitor molecules that break down quickly in the environment rather than persisting long-term. The selected amine compounds with C6-C10 chains are designed to be metabolized by microorganisms, effectively replacing persistent traditional surfactants with short-lived, environmentally benign alternatives
2Reliability
If traditional surfactant corrosion inhibitors are used, then corrosion inhibition is improved, but compatibility with other components deteriorates (insolubility in production fluids, phase separation known as 'gunking')
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the hydrophobic chain length parameter from C8-C18 to C6-C10, which optimizes solubility in production fluids while maintaining sufficient hydrophobic interaction for effective corrosion inhibition. This parameter adjustment prevents phase separation and gunking issues that plague traditional longer-chain surfactants
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a broader range of amine types (primary, secondary, tertiary amines) with varying chain lengths within the C6-C10 range, providing multiple mechanisms of action that ensure effective corrosion protection while maintaining solubility and preventing precipitation in diverse production fluid conditions
3Reliability
If surfactant-based corrosion inhibitors are used, then corrosion protection is improved, but foam generation and hydrocarbon emulsification worsen, requiring additional demulsifiers and foam control agents
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular structure by using shorter C6-C10 alkyl chains instead of longer C8-C18 chains, which reduces the surfactant properties that cause excessive foaming and emulsification. This structural modification provides adequate corrosion protection while minimizing unwanted foam and emulsion generation in production equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the excessive surfactant character from the corrosion inhibitor formulation by selecting compounds with optimized chain lengths and structures that provide corrosion protection through mechanisms other than strong surface-active properties, thereby removing the source of foam and emulsion problems
4Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative biodegradable compounds (alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl polyglucoside/polyaspartate) are used to improve environmental compatibility, then biodegradability is improved, but performance attributes deteriorate (chemical and thermal stability, compatibility with high TDS brines)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the chain length parameter to C6-C10 and selects specific biodegradable amine structures that achieve the right balance between environmental compatibility and performance. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient chemical and thermal stability for oilfield applications while maintaining excellent biodegradability, overcoming the limitations of alternative compounds
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 composition effectively inhibits corrosion in metal surfaces exposed to oilfield fluids, including high TDS brines, while being environmentally friendly and stable, reducing corrosion rates and eliminating foaming and emulsification issues.
Implementation Method 1
Most often, corrosion inhibition formulations disclosed so far include ingredients such as surfactants which adsorb on to the metal surface to form a protective barrier film
Data Source
AI summary
The instant invention relates to a corrosion inhibitor composition that contains : (a) at least one biodegradable polyhydroxyacid and/or polyhydroxylated derivative thereof, preferably a polyhydroxyacid that may be in all or part in the form a polyhydroxylated salt and/or a polyhydroxyamide; and (b) a biodegradable cationic compound having a molecular weignt of less than 500 Da, preferably between 50 and 400 Da