Carbohydrate-Based Fracturing Fluid for Proppant Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracturing materials used in hydraulic fracturing have negative environmental impacts and lack sufficient stability, making them inefficient economically and environmentally.
Innovation Solution
A bioenhanced energy recovery medium comprising a carbohydrate-based thickener, salt, and proppant particles is used, where the salt increases the density of the base liquid, preventing proppant sedimentation and enhancing the medium's stability, allowing it to maintain fractures open for efficient fluid flow without harming the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fracturing material is used, then fractures can be held open, but the material has negative environmental impact and insufficient stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fracturing fluid by using biodegradable polymers instead of conventional synthetic materials, and by carefully controlling salt concentration and pH levels to achieve both environmental compatibility and long-term stability. The fluid composition is optimized to maintain proppant suspension without harmful chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite fracturing fluid system combining biodegradable polymers, salt, and proppant particles in a carrier fluid. This composite approach integrates multiple functional components: the polymer provides viscosity and stability, the salt adjusts density for proppant suspension, and the biodegradable nature ensures environmental safety while maintaining performance.
2Productivity
If proppant particles are added to hold fractures open, then fracture conductivity is improved, but proppant settles to the bottom causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the density parameter of the carrier fluid by dissolving salt, which increases the fluid density to match or exceed the proppant particle density. This density adjustment prevents gravitational settling of proppant particles, maintaining uniform distribution throughout the fracturing fluid and ensuring consistent fracture conductivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biocompatible materials are used for environmental safety, then environmental impact is reduced, but stability and economic efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention develops a composite biocompatible system integrating biodegradable polymers, salt, and proppant particles. This composite structure achieves long-term stability through the synergistic interaction of components: the polymer matrix provides structural integrity, salt adjustment optimizes density for particle suspension, and the overall composition maintains environmental compatibility while meeting performance requirements for economic viability.
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 bioenhanced energy recovery medium provides long-term stability, suppresses proppant sedimentation, and maintains fractures open, enhancing fluid permeability and recovery efficiency while being completely biocompatible and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a salt dissolved in the base liquid and configured for increasing a density of the base liquid
Implementation Method 2
proppant particles floating (rather than settling to the bottom of the energy recovery medium)
Implementation Method 3
a carbohydrate-based thickener (in particular an organic thickener) mixed in the base liquid
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Energy recovery medium (150) for insertion into a ground hole (200) in a ground (202) comprising a recoverable energy carrying medium (270), wherein the energy recovery medium (150) comprises a base liquid (100),a carbohydrate-based thickener (102) mixed in the base liquid (100), a salt (104) dissolved in the base liquid (100) and configured for increasing a density of the base liquid (100), and proppant particles (106) dispersed within the mixture of the base liquid (100), the thickener (102) and the salt (104).