Coated Proppant Radium Capture via Embedded Crystals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for heavy metal recovery in well fracturing fluids, such as the use of chemical chelating agents and barium sulfate, are ineffective in selectively capturing radioactive elements like radium due to interference from other ions and can cause scaling issues that hinder oil or gas recovery.
Innovation Solution
Development of coated proppants with heavy metal recovery crystals embedded in a polymer resin matrix, which selectively precipitate and retain radioactive elements like radium, minimizing scaling and maintaining performance under high temperatures and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If chemical chelating agents or barium sulfate are used for heavy metal recovery, then heavy metal capture is attempted, but selectivity for radioactive elements like radium is poor due to interference from other ions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a coating with non-uniform composition on the proppant surface. The coating contains heavy metal recovery crystals (like barium sulfate) embedded in a polymer resin matrix, where the crystals are concentrated at or near the surface to provide localized radium capture functionality. This localized concentration of functional material enhances selectivity for radium while the polymer matrix provides structural support and resistance to downhole conditions.
2Measurement precision
If barium sulfate is used for radium recovery, then radium precipitation is achieved, but scaling issues occur that hinder oil or gas recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful scaling effect by separating the radium capture function from bulk barium sulfate addition. Instead of adding large amounts of barium sulfate to the fracturing fluid which causes scaling, the patent embeds small quantities of barium sulfate crystals in a polymer coating on proppants. This extracts the beneficial radium precipitation function while removing the harmful bulk-scale scaling problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer resin matrix acts as an intermediary between the barium sulfate crystals and the fracturing fluid. The coating structure mediates the interaction by providing a controlled interface where radium can be captured through the coating while preventing bulk precipitation that would cause scaling in the wellbore.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proppants are coated to enable heavy metal recovery, then radium capture capability is added, but coating complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining heavy metal recovery crystals (such as barium sulfate) with a polymer resin matrix to form a coated proppant. This composite structure integrates the radium capture functionality of the crystals with the mechanical strength and environmental resistance of the polymer, creating a multi-functional material that addresses both recovery capability and downhole condition resistance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If proppants are coated with polymer resin and heavy metal recovery crystals, then heavy metal recovery is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by ensuring the coating is applied uniformly across all proppant particles in the batch. The coating process creates consistent coverage and crystal distribution on each proppant surface, ensuring that all coated proppants have equivalent radium capture capability. This uniformity simplifies quality control and ensures predictable performance in the fracturing operation.
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 coated proppants effectively absorb and retain radioactive elements, reducing their concentration in fracturing fluids and preventing scaling issues, thereby enhancing oil or gas recovery while maintaining the integrity of the fracturing process.
Implementation Method 1
heavy metal recovery crystals embedded within a polymer resin matrix... selectively precipitate and retain radioactive elements like radium
Implementation Method 2
The coated proppants effectively absorb and retain radioactive elements, reducing their concentration in fracturing fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A coated proppant includes a solid core proppant particle and a heavy metal recovery coating, including heavy metal recovery crystals embedded within a polymer resin matrix. A process for the manufacture of a coated proppant includes providing a solid core proppant particle, and forming on the solid core proppant particle, a heavy metal recovery coating including heavy metal recovery crystals embedded within a polymer resin matrix.