Encapsulated Polyhalogen Salts for In Situ Halogen Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unconventional source rock formations with kerogen require effective methods to generate halogens in situ to improve hydraulic conductivity and hydrocarbon recovery, while avoiding premature reaction with wellbore materials and ensuring safety.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts in polymers, which decompose or react with reducing agents in the subterranean formation to generate halogens like bromine or chlorine, thereby degrading kerogen and enhancing fracture conductivity without premature reaction with equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If halogens are delivered directly to the subterranean formation, then kerogen degradation and hydraulic conductivity improvement are achieved, but equipment damage and safety hazards occur due to premature reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The halogen precursors (polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts) are prepared and encapsulated in advance, but the actual halogen generation is delayed until the precursors reach the subterranean formation. This preliminary preparation without premature reaction allows the system to avoid equipment damage while maintaining kerogen degradation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Encapsulation materials or reducing agents act as intermediaries that control the release and generation of halogens. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between halogens and equipment during transport, eliminating safety hazards while ensuring halogen availability for kerogen degradation at the target location.
2Reliability
If polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts are encapsulated in polymers, then safety and equipment protection are improved, but the complexity of the delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the chemical state of halogen from its elemental form to encapsulated precursor salts, which are safer and more stable. This parameter change (from halogen to salt encapsulation) improves safety and equipment protection while the complexity increase is offset by the simplicity of the salt compounds themselves.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If halogens are generated in situ, then equipment damage is prevented, but the time required for halogen generation and kerogen degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The halogen generation occurs in a controlled periodic manner through the gradual decomposition or reaction of encapsulated precursors with reducing agents. This periodic action prevents equipment damage by controlling the timing and rate of halogen release, while the extended duration is acceptable given the safety benefits.
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 approach generates halogens in situ, reducing the risk of equipment damage and safety hazards, while effectively degrading kerogen to improve hydraulic conductivity and increase hydrocarbon recovery.
Implementation Method 1
Encapsulating polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts in polymers, which decompose or react with reducing agents in the subterranean formation to generate halogens
Implementation Method 2
react with reducing agents in the subterranean formation to generate halogens like bromine or chlorine
Implementation Method 3
degrading kerogen and enhancing fracture conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods for treating kerogen in a subterranean formation by generating bromine and other halogens in situ in a subterranean formation. In some implementations, the generation of the bromine or halogen is delayed. This can occur, for example, by the decomposition of precursors, a chemical reaction, the encapsulation of precursors or reactants, or a combination of these approaches.