Doped Biodegradable Elastomer for Downhole Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biodegradable materials used in downhole applications, such as polyglycolides and polylactides, are not efficiently remediated by biological means and lack true elastomeric properties, leading to inadequate degradation rates and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
Development of biodegradable elastomers, like poly(glycerol sebacate), doped with chemical and biological agents that enhance microbial degradation, allowing for controlled degradation through both physical hydrolysis and enzymatic processes, tailored to specific service environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable materials like polyglycolides and polylactides are used in downhole applications, then environmental remediation is improved, but degradation rate is insufficient and materials accumulate in the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the elastomer by incorporating specific ester linkages and dopants that are more susceptible to microbial attack, thereby accelerating the degradation rate while maintaining biodegradability. This changes the material's chemical structure to be more reactive with environmental microorganisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining biodegradable elastomer base polymers with specific dopants and additives that enhance microbial degradation. This composite approach integrates multiple functional components to achieve both elastomeric properties and accelerated biodegradation.
2Strength
If conventional elastomers are used to ensure engineering properties, then material strength and elasticity are maintained, but environmental persistence and pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by incorporating hydrolytically labile ester linkages and controlling molecular weight and crosslinking density, enabling the elastomer to maintain mechanical properties during service while becoming susceptible to microbial degradation after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the elastomer as a disposable material with built-in degradation capabilities, allowing it to perform its sealing function during the well completion process and then naturally degrade in the environment, eliminating the need for retrieval and preventing long-term accumulation.
3Productivity
If biodegradable elastomers are developed with accelerated degradation, then degradation rate is improved, but control over degradation timing and rate becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dopants and chemical modifiers into the elastomer formulation during manufacturing, pre-configuring the material with specific degradation pathways and rates. This preliminary action ensures that degradation occurs at a predictable rate once exposure to environmental conditions begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates regions within the elastomer with different degradation susceptibilities by incorporating dopants and modifiers at specific concentrations and distributions, allowing different parts of the material to degrade at different rates based on local chemical environment and microbial activity.
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 doped elastomers exhibit accelerated degradation and remediation, ensuring timely removal of materials from service environments without compromising engineering properties, thereby addressing the limitations of existing biodegradable materials.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of the dopant increases a rate of microbial degradation of the elastomer by a microbe
Implementation Method 2
metabolic processing by indigenous microflora found in wellbore and other downhole applications
Implementation Method 3
controlled degradation through a combination of physical hydrolysis and metabolic processing
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods are beneficial for use in downhole applications, especially oil and gas well bores. A composition includes an elastomer doped with a dopant. The presence of the dopant increases a rate of microbial degradation of the elastomer by a microbe. A method includes forming an article including a doped polymer. The doped polymer includes an elastomer doped with a dopant. The method also includes placing the article in a service environment. The presence of the dopant in the doped polymer increases a rate of microbial degradation of the elastomer by a microbe in the service environment.