Electrochemical Sensor Using Immobilized Diol for Downhole Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrochemical sensors for analyzing downhole fluids in hydrocarbon reservoirs face challenges in detecting trace metal ions and other species, particularly due to complex chemistry and potential environmental hazards, and existing technologies require elaborate synthesis and are not suitable for all fluid conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical sensor featuring an organic diol or polyol compound immobilized on a conductive substrate, which displays modified electrochemical behavior upon binding with analyte species, utilizing sugars for binding affinity and a separate redox system for electrochemical detection, allowing for qualitative and quantitative analysis of analytes in fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If macrocyclic ligands such as crown ethers are used for ion detection, then binding affinity for scaling ions is improved, but synthesis complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to multi-step synthesis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential binding function from complex macrocyclic ligands and implements it using simpler organic diol or polyol compounds. These simplified ligands retain the ability to bind scaling ions (Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+) while eliminating the need for elaborate multi-step synthesis procedures required for crown ethers and other macrocyclic compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available organic diol and polyol compounds that can be obtained through simple, cost-effective synthesis routes. These compounds serve as practical alternatives to expensive, difficult-to-synthesize macrocyclic ligands, making the sensor more economically viable for downhole applications.
2Measurement precision
If metallocene-ligand compounds are used in solution for electrochemical detection, then detection capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to requirements for solution handling and membrane confinement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ligand binding function and the electrochemical detection function into a single integrated system. The organic diol/polyol ligand is directly associated with the electrode surface, eliminating the need for separate solution phases and membrane confinement systems required in traditional metallocene-based sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of solution handling, membrane confinement, and flow systems with a solid-state electrochemical system. The detection occurs directly at the electrode surface through immobilized or adsorbed ligand molecules, eliminating the need for complex fluid management infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If existing electrochemical sensors are deployed for downhole fluid analysis, then trace metal ion detection is enabled, but adaptability to diverse fluid conditions and chemical environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal sensing platform based on organic diol and polyol compounds that can detect multiple types of scaling ions (Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+) and potentially other metal ions. The same basic ligand structure and electrochemical system can be adapted to different fluid conditions without requiring fundamentally different sensor designs, enhancing versatility for various downhole environments.
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 sensor effectively detects and quantifies analyte species in fluids, providing real-time assessment for mineral scale prediction, corrosion assessment, and environmental monitoring, with improved selectivity and operational simplicity, suitable for both downhole and surface applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compound which (i) is an organic diol or polyol with binding affinity for an analyte species and (ii) displays electrochemical behaviour which is modified upon binding of the analyte species
Implementation Method 2
displays electrochemical behaviour which is modified upon binding of the analyte species
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrochemical sensor having a solid electrically conductive substrate and a compound immobilized thereon which has binding affinity for an analyte species to be detected and also displays electrochemical behavior which is modified upon binding of that analyte species, so that binding of an analyte species can be detected by measuring electrochemical properties, such as by voltammetry. Desirably the immobilized compound contains both a first moiety with binding affinity for the analyte and a separate second moiety which is a redox system whose electrochemical oxidation/reduction properties become modified when the first moiety binds the analyte. The analyte binding moiety may be a diol or polyol and preferably is a sugar. The electrochemical sensor finds use in methods of analyzing reservoir and process fluids, particularly at a subterranean location. The electrochemical sensor may be a component of a downhole tool, adapted for deployment downhole.