Biodegradable Oil Thinning Composition for Viscosity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil fields become viscous due to paraffin and asphaltene deposits, leading to reduced oil production, flow line fouling, corrosion, and increased pumping costs, necessitating a biodegradable and recyclable solution to reduce crude oil viscosity for efficient extraction.
Innovation Solution
A composition of terpenoid compounds, such as d-limonene, soy methyl esters, and non-toxic glycol ether esters, reacted in a specific sequence with inorganic catalysts to create a mixture that reduces crude oil viscosity, allowing for enhanced oil recovery and recirculation of oil wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If heat and water are used to reduce oil viscosity, then oil flow improves, but environmental impact increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the oil by introducing a biodegradable thinning composition with specific components (terpenoid compounds, esters, alcohols) in controlled proportions. This chemical parameter change reduces viscosity without requiring thermal or hydraulic interventions, thereby improving oil flow while avoiding environmental harm associated with heat and water usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a biodegradable composition that naturally decomposes after serving its viscosity-reduction function. This disposable approach eliminates the need for continuous intervention or complex recovery systems, reducing operational costs and environmental impact while maintaining effective oil flow improvement.
2Temperature
If conventional thinning agents are used, then crude oil viscosity reduces, but toxicity increases and environmental damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite thinning composition combining multiple biodegradable components (terpenoid compounds, esters, alcohols) that work synergistically to reduce viscosity. This composite approach achieves effective viscosity reduction while maintaining non-toxicity and biodegradability, unlike conventional single-agent thinners that often require toxic chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameter profile of thinning agents by selecting only biodegradable, non-toxic substances with specific molecular characteristics. This parameter change enables viscosity reduction without introducing harmful toxins into the environment, directly resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and toxicity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If paraffin and asphaltene deposits are allowed to accumulate, then natural oil viscosity remains stable, but flow line fouling and corrosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biodegradable thinning composition acts as an intermediary substance that interacts with paraffin and asphaltene deposits, preventing them from adhering to flow lines and equipment surfaces. This intermediary layer maintains the natural composition stability of the oil while blocking the harmful fouling and corrosion effects of deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the naturally occurring paraffin and asphaltene components, which would otherwise cause fouling and corrosion, into beneficial elements by using the thinning composition to keep them suspended and mobile. This transforms potential harmful deposits into manageable components that can be safely transported through the system.
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 solution effectively reduces oil viscosity, enabling up to 100% recovery of oil, eliminating the need for heat and water, and maintaining non-toxicity, thus reducing environmental impact and operational costs while increasing well head yield and pipeline efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a mixture the effectively reduces the viscosity of crude oil and oil sands
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions of plant oil-based biodegradable crude oil thinning fluids having a performance especially suitable to reducing crude oil viscosity in extraction and retrieval operations.