Cyclic Thioether Vegetable Oil Lubricant for High-Temperature Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vegetable oil-based drilling fluid lubricants face challenges with poor lubrication performance due to decomposition at high temperatures and insufficient sulfurization, leading to odor and insufficient lubricity, especially in complex well drilling conditions.
Innovation Solution
A novel active sulfurization system using a cyclic thioether compound formed through a sulfurization reaction of unsaturated fatty acids with sulfur, benzothiazole-based accelerators, and inorganic zinc compounds at lower temperatures and shorter times, introducing a cyclic thioether structure into vegetable oils to enhance lubrication and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vegetable oil is sulfurized at high temperature for long period, then sulfurization is sufficient and lubrication performance is improved, but the sulfurized vegetable oil becomes black and thick with pungent odor and poor flowability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the sulfurization reaction conditions, specifically controlling the reaction temperature (100-150°C) and time (2-6 hours) to achieve sufficient sulfurization while preventing excessive crosslinking. This resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal parameter range that balances lubrication performance improvement with maintaining acceptable odor and flowability characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite sulfurization system combining multiple components: sulfur (0.5-5 wt%), benzothiazole-based accelerator (0.1-3 wt%), and inorganic zinc compound (0.1-2 wt%). This composite approach enhances sulfurization efficiency and lubrication performance while controlling the formation of unwanted byproducts, thereby reducing odor and maintaining flowability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vegetable oil is sulfurized at low temperature for short period, then odor and flowability are maintained, but sulfurization is insufficient and lubrication effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces benzothiazole-based accelerators and inorganic zinc compounds as intermediaries that catalyze and enhance the sulfurization reaction. These intermediaries enable sufficient sulfurization to occur at lower temperatures and shorter times, achieving good lubrication performance without the need for harsh conditions that would cause excessive crosslinking and poor flowability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by using lower temperatures (100-150°C) and shorter times (2-6 hours) compared to conventional methods, while compensating for the milder conditions by using enhanced sulfurization systems with accelerators and catalysts. This resolves the contradiction between maintaining good sensory properties and achieving sufficient sulfurization.
3Ease of manufacture
If vegetable oil is used as base oil without modification, then source availability and environmental friendliness are maintained, but thermal stability and extreme pressure anti-wear performance are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of vegetable oil by introducing sulfur-containing cyclic thioether groups through controlled sulfurization. This structural modification significantly improves thermal stability and extreme pressure anti-wear performance while maintaining the base material's environmental friendliness and availability from renewable sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite molecular structure where sulfur-containing cyclic thioether groups are incorporated into the vegetable oil matrix. This composite approach combines the renewable nature of vegetable oil with the thermal stability and lubrication properties of sulfur-containing compounds, achieving both ease of manufacture and improved reliability.
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 system reduces odor and improves lubrication performance by preventing crosslinking and forming a firm hydrophobic lubricating film, enhancing the flowability and lubricating capability of vegetable oils under extreme pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the crosslinking of sulfurized vegetable oil at a high temperature can be prevented by sulfurizing at a low temperature for a short time
Implementation Method 2
sulfurizing a double bond of a vegetable oil with sulfur to form sulfurized vegetable oils, which approach can introduce a thioether group with an extreme pressure lubrication function into the structure of the vegetable oil
Implementation Method 3
the friction in the drilling process can be effectively reduced, and the lubrication performance of the drilling fluid can be improved
Implementation Method 4
forming a firm hydrophobic lubricating film
Data Source
AI summary
A cyclic thioether compound has a structure represented by the following formula (I). A vegetable oil composition contains the cyclic thioether compound. When the cyclic thioether compound is used as a drilling fluid lubricant in a drilling fluid. The lubrication performance of the drilling fluid can be significantly improved.