Crosslinker Composition with Synthetic Layered Silicate for Hydraulic Fracturing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aqueous borate crosslinker compositions for hydraulic fracturing fluids face issues with settling of sparingly soluble borate particulates, leading to heterogeneity and imbalanced stoichiometry in crosslinking reactions, which affects the stability and viscosity of the fracturing fluid.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinker composition comprising 5 wt % to 65 wt % of a borate species, 0.05 wt % to 10 wt % of a synthetic layered silicate, and a water source, which maintains the borate in a suspended state due to its rheological properties, preventing settling and ensuring shelf stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If concentrated suspensions of sparingly soluble borate crosslinking agents are used, then crosslinking efficiency is improved, but settling of borate particulates occurs leading to heterogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic colloid (such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, or starch derivative) is introduced as an intermediary substance to stabilize the borate particulates in suspension. The colloid adsorbs onto the borate particle surfaces, providing steric stabilization that prevents settling and maintains homogeneous distribution throughout the aqueous medium, thereby resolving the contradiction between concentrated suspension stability and crosslinking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosslinking agent composition is formulated as a composite system combining sparingly soluble borate crosslinking agents with hydrophilic colloids. This composite structure allows the borate particles to remain suspended stably while maintaining their crosslinking functionality, achieving both homogeneity and crosslinking efficiency simultaneously.
2Productivity
If high concentration of borate is used, then crosslinking speed is improved, but settling increases causing imbalanced stoichiometry
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic colloid acts as a mediating agent that enables high borate concentrations to be maintained in stable suspension without settling. By preventing particle aggregation and sedimentation, the colloid ensures uniform distribution of borate throughout the fracturing fluid, maintaining accurate stoichiometry even at high crosslinking agent concentrations that provide fast crosslinking speed.
3Reliability
If aqueous based fracturing fluids with high viscosity are used, then propping agent suspension is improved, but fluid removal from formation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pH-responsive borate crosslinking agents that change their crosslinking activity based on pH conditions. The crosslinking reaction is controlled to occur at specific pH levels in the formation, allowing the fluid to maintain high viscosity for propping agent suspension during injection, then undergoes viscosity reduction when pH changes during production, facilitating easier fluid removal.
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 composition remains stable for extended periods with minimal sedimentation, maintaining a homogeneous distribution of borate, thereby ensuring consistent viscosity and gel strength, facilitating efficient hydraulic fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
which maintains the borate in a suspended state due to its rheological properties, preventing settling and ensuring shelf stability
Implementation Method 2
Conventional aqueous borate crosslinker compositions for hydraulic fracturing fluids face issues with settling of sparingly soluble borate particulates, leading to heterogeneity and imbalanced stoichiometry in crosslinking reactions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are crosslinker compositions for aqueous hydroxyl functional polymers. The compositions include at least one borate species, about 0.05 wt % to 10 wt % of a synthetic layered silicate, and a water source. The compositions are characterized by shelf stability, wherein the sparingly soluble borate does not undergo sedimentation. The crosslinker compositions are usefully added to aqueous polymer solutions of hydroxyl functional polymers to form injectable compositions for hydraulic fracturing.