Core-Shell Particles for Controlled Tool Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dissolvable compositions for tools in oil and gas applications either degrade too quickly or too slowly, lacking sufficient material strength, and often rely on galvanic reactions that are ineffective in low-electrolyte freshwater conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of core-shell particles and bulk compositions with a non-reactive core and a reactive shell, or a multiphase morphology with reactive and non-reactive components, allowing controlled degradation in response to water, acid, or base, and incorporating sustainable galvanic reactions where necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If materials composed entirely of dissolvable compositions are used, then tools can be removed without retrieval operations, but the tools degrade too quickly to last for sufficient time to perform desired tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of a non-reactive core component and a reactive shell component. The non-reactive core provides structural strength and durability during the tool's service life, while the reactive shell enables controlled dissolution after use. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with opposing properties to achieve both long service life and easy removal.
2Productivity
If materials composed entirely of dissolvable compositions are used, then tools can dissolve within a desired timeframe, but they lack sufficient material strength for practical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with non-reactive core and reactive shell resolves this contradiction by assigning different functional roles to each component. The non-reactive core provides the necessary material strength for withstanding operational stresses, while the reactive shell controls the dissolution rate to achieve productive tool degradation within the desired timeframe.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is segmented into functionally distinct components: a structural core for strength and a reactive shell for dissolution control. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, enabling both high strength and controlled dissolution speed.
3Reliability
If galvanic reactions are used to provide dissolvability, then tools can degrade in controlled manner, but the reactions are ineffective in low-electrolyte freshwater conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by designing the reactive shell to respond to multiple environmental parameters including pH, temperature, and chemical composition. This multi-parameter responsiveness allows the tool to achieve reliable dissolution control across diverse environments, including low-electrolyte freshwater conditions where traditional galvanic reactions fail.
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 tools with controlled degradation rates and enhanced material strength, suitable for various environmental conditions, including low-electrolyte freshwater, facilitating efficient and cost-effective operations by ensuring tools dissolve within a desired timeframe.
Implementation Method 1
The reactive component is chemically reactive with water, acid, or base
Implementation Method 2
the non-reactive component is unreactive with water, acid, or base
Data Source
AI summary
A core-shell particle is provided, including a core particle composed of a non-reactive component, and a coating layer disposed about the core particle, the coating layer composed of reactive component. The reactive component is chemically reactive with water, acid, or base, and the non-reactive component is non-reactive with water, acid, or base. Also provided are a bulk composition composed of the core-shell particle, an article composed of the bulk composition, as well as method and system of making and using the particles, composition, and articles.