Bio-Sludge Slurry Pretreatment to Prevent Formation Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The injection of slurry waste containing fibrous materials into subterranean formations is hindered by the tendency of fibers to plug perforations, fractures, and pore spaces, making efficient sequestration of organic waste challenging.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step process involving chemical dissolution, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, enzymatic treatment, and/or chemical transformation is employed to break down fibrous materials into non-fibrous forms suitable for inclusion in an injectable slurry, which is then injected into subterranean zones under fracturing pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fibrous materials are injected directly into subterranean formations, then organic waste sequestration can proceed, but fiber-induced plugging of perforations, fractures, and pore spaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the fibrous organic waste materials with chemical dissolving agents, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, or enzymatic treatment before injection. These pre-treatment steps break down the fibrous structure into non-fibrous forms, preventing plugging issues during subsequent injection operations while enabling efficient waste sequestration
2Reliability
If fibrous organic waste is processed through multiple treatment steps, then fiber breakdown is achieved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple alternative treatment methods (chemical dissolution, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, enzymatic treatment) that can serve as universal solutions for different types of fibrous organic waste. Each method can handle various fibrous materials, allowing flexible selection based on waste composition and operational requirements, thereby managing complexity through standardized approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying treatment conditions such as chemical concentration, temperature, pressure, and treatment time to optimize fiber breakdown effectiveness. These parameter adjustments enable control over the degree of fibrous material degradation, allowing tailoring of the process to specific waste types and injection requirements
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 process effectively prevents fiber-induced plugging, enabling efficient injection and long-term sequestration of carbon-bearing organic waste, reducing environmental carbon discharge.
Implementation Method 1
chemical dissolution, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, enzymatic treatment, and/or chemical transformation is employed to break down fibrous materials
Implementation Method 2
chemical dissolution, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, enzymatic treatment, and/or chemical transformation is employed to break down fibrous materials
Implementation Method 3
chemical dissolution, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, enzymatic treatment, and/or chemical transformation is employed to break down fibrous materials
Implementation Method 4
chemical dissolution, combustion, mechanical breakdown, biological degradation, enzymatic treatment, and/or chemical transformation is employed to break down fibrous materials
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-bearing or fibrous material is prepared for use in or as an injectable slurry for injection into a subterranean formation by breaking down the fibrous material into a non-fibrous material. The resultant non-fibrous material is used in an injectate slurry.