Direct Emulsion Demulsification for Wellbore Fluid Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal and treatment of used wellbore fluids, which contain hydrocarbons and solids, incur significant costs and operational time due to their classification as special waste, necessitating efficient recycling methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for recycling direct emulsion wellbore fluids by disrupting the emulsion to separate the aqueous and oleaginous phases using surfactant destabilization, pH modification, or chemical demulsifiers, allowing for further processing and reuse or disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If used wellbore fluids are disposed of as special waste, then regulatory compliance is ensured, but disposal costs and operational time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the wellbore fluid by adjusting pH and adding demulsifiers to disrupt the emulsion stability, enabling phase separation and recycling of the oleaginous phase, thereby reducing disposal time and costs while maintaining regulatory compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the oleaginous phase from the used wellbore fluid through demulsification and phase separation, allowing it to be reused or disposed of more efficiently, while the aqueous phase can be treated and reused, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with complete disposal
2Object-affected harmful factors
If used wellbore fluids are treated and disposed of, then environmental compliance is achieved, but additional costs and operational time are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the treatment process by focusing on parameter changes (pH adjustment, demulsifier addition) that trigger natural phase separation, avoiding complex treatment systems while achieving environmental compliance through efficient recycling and reduced disposal volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oleaginous phase from the emulsion through demulsification, separating it from the aqueous phase, which simplifies the overall treatment process by allowing each phase to be treated independently and reduces the complexity of handling the entire fluid mixture
3Loss of substance
If direct emulsion wellbore fluids are recycled, then disposal costs are reduced, but the emulsion must be disrupted and phases separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces disposal costs by implementing a relatively simple demulsification process that utilizes parameter changes (pH adjustment, temperature control, demulsifier addition) to disrupt the emulsion and enable phase separation, making the recycling process economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses demulsifiers as intermediary substances that facilitate the disruption of the emulsion and promote phase separation, simplifying the demulsification process and enabling effective recycling without requiring complex equipment or multi-step procedures
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
This method enables the recovery of 70-80% of the oleaginous phase with minimal aqueous impurities, facilitating efficient recycling and reducing disposal costs, with demulsification times of 3 days or less.
Implementation Method 1
a direct emulsion comprising an aqueous external phase and an oleaginous internal phase, wherein the direct emulsion is stabilized by a surfactant composition
Implementation Method 2
separating the aqueous phase and the oleaginous phase
Data Source
AI summary
A method of recycling a direct emulsion wellbore fluid may include disrupting a direct emulsion comprising an aqueous external phase and an oleaginous internal phase, wherein the direct emulsion is stabilized by a surfactant composition; and separating the aqueous phase and the oleaginous phase.