Electrolyzed Water-Amine Fluid for Sour Gas Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen sulphide, a toxic and hazardous gas, is challenging to control in upstream oil and gas operations, natural gas, and waste management, due to its production by sulphate-reducing bacteria and its presence in sour gas and crude oil, posing health risks and odor issues.
Innovation Solution
A treatment fluid comprising electrolyzed water and an amine, typically in a 50% each by volume mixture, is used to decrease the concentration of hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds in gases and liquids, prepared by mixing electrolyzed water and an amine, allowing it to cool, and optionally including alcohol or salt, which is applied directly to contaminated fluids or injected into wells to contact the contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional amine processes are used to remove hydrogen sulphide, then carbon dioxide and sulphur compounds can be separated, but the process requires large volumes of water and amine solutions and does not effectively control sulphate-reducing bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment fluid by using electrolyzed water with high oxidizing power (containing hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite ions, and free chlorine) combined with amine at high pH (above 12.0), creating a composition that is both effective against bacteria and efficient at removing acid gases with reduced fluid volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines electrolyzed water and amine into a composite treatment fluid that integrates the acid gas removal capability of amine with the antimicrobial and oxidizing properties of electrolyzed water, achieving dual functionality in a single composition
2Reliability
If electrolyzed water is used alone to treat contaminated fluids, then it has germicidal effects, but it lacks sufficient capacity for neutralizing acid gases and sulphur compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrolyzed water and amine into a unified treatment composition where the amine component provides acid gas neutralization capacity while the electrolyzed water maintains germicidal effectiveness, creating synergistic functionality
3Productivity
If high concentrations of amine are used to remove hydrogen sulphide, then acid gas removal efficiency improves, but the process becomes more complex and requires additional equipment for solution preparation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment fluid is designed to be self-preparing through simple mixing of electrolyzed water and amine without requiring complex solution preparation equipment, while maintaining high acid gas removal efficiency through the inherent reactivity of the composition
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 treatment fluid effectively reduces hydrogen sulphide concentrations in sour gas, crude oil, and water, eliminating odors and health risks, with demonstrated reductions within hours of application, and has a germicidal effect on bacteria producing hydrogen sulphide, providing a dual neutralization and microbial control mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
A treatment fluid comprising electrolyzed water and an amine... effectively reduces hydrogen sulphide concentrations... providing a dual neutralization and microbial control mechanism
Implementation Method 2
electrolyzed water... has a germicidal effect on bacteria producing hydrogen sulphide
Implementation Method 3
prepared by mixing electrolyzed water and an amine, allowing it to cool
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a germicidal treatment fluid comprising electrolyzed water and an amine, and methods for producing and using same to kill microorganisms which produce hydrogen sulphide or sulfate-reducing bacteria.