Brine Viscosifier Removal Using Non-Oxidizing Acid Coagulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing viscosifier polymers from brines are inefficient, time-consuming, and often introduce undesirable chemicals, limiting the reuse of brines due to residual polymers and chloride contamination.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of non-oxidizing inorganic acids, particularly hydrobromic acid, to coagulate viscosifier polymers in brines, allowing for rapid removal and recovery of the brines without introducing new components, followed by neutralization and potential distillation for further purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hypochlorite treatment is used to remove viscosifier polymers, then the viscosifier is degraded, but the treatment takes considerable time (14 days or longer) and introduces undesirable chloride
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from oxidizing (hypochlorite) to non-oxidizing acid treatment, which fundamentally alters the degradation mechanism and dramatically reduces treatment time from 14+ days to a much shorter period while avoiding chloride introduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the viscosifier polymer from the brine through acid treatment and filtration, separating the polymer from the brine solution to enable brine reuse
2Reliability
If hypochlorite treatment is used to remove viscosifier polymers, then the viscosifier is degraded, but chloride is introduced to the brine making reuse limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical treatment parameter from oxidizing agents to non-oxidizing acids, which achieve viscosifier degradation without introducing chloride contamination, thus eliminating the harmful effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful chloride introduction into a benefit by using non-oxidizing acid treatment that degrades viscosifiers without adding contaminants, actually improving brine quality for reuse
3Reliability
If traditional viscosifier polymers are added to increase viscosity, then the brine can remove contaminants effectively, but the altered viscosity makes recovery and reuse challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameter by removing viscosifiers through acid treatment, allowing the brine viscosity to be adjusted or reset for different applications and geological formations, thus improving reuse flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the viscosifier polymer through degradation and filtration while recovering and reusing the brine solution, separating the temporary viscosity-enhancing component from the valuable base fluid
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
Enables efficient and rapid removal of viscosifier polymers, preserving the brines for reuse and avoiding chloride contamination, thus enhancing the sustainability of brine recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
coagulating the viscosifier polymer
Implementation Method 2
treating the waste completion fluid with a non-oxidizing inorganic acid to form a metal bromide brine
Data Source
AI summary
A process includes supplying a waste completion fluid including a viscosifier polymer; and treating the waste completion fluid with a non-oxidizing inorganic acid to form a metal bromide brine. The process also includes coagulating the viscosifier polymer and collecting the viscosifier polymer.