Erythorbate-Alkylhydroxylamine Oxygen Scavenger for High-Temperature Brines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxygen scavengers for completion brines, such as sodium erythorbate, decompose at high temperatures, causing the brine to become dark and opaque, which can lead to corrosion and formation damage in high-temperature subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
A combination of erythorbate and alkylhydroxylamine is used as an oxygen scavenger, which remains effective and stabilizes the erythorbate at high temperatures, maintaining the brine's clarity and preventing decomposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sodium erythorbate is used as an oxygen scavenger in completion brines, then oxygen removal effectiveness is improved, but at high temperatures the erythorbate decomposes causing the brine to become dark and opaque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines erythorbate with a specific metal ion (such as zinc, manganese, or copper) to create a composite oxygen scavenging system. This composite approach allows the erythorbate to effectively scavenge oxygen while the metal ion stabilizes the system at high temperatures, preventing the decomposition and discoloration that would otherwise occur. The synergistic interaction between the erythorbate and metal ion resolves the contradiction by maintaining both oxygen removal effectiveness and brine stability under high-temperature conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If erythorbate is used as an oxygen scavenger, then oxygen concentration is reduced, but at temperatures of 275°F and higher the erythorbate decomposes transforming the brine from clear and colorless to dark and opaque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oxygen scavenging system by introducing metal ions that form stable complexes with erythorbate at high temperatures. This parameter change (adding metal ions) modifies the thermal stability characteristics of the system, allowing it to maintain clarity and color at temperatures of 275°F and higher while still effectively reducing oxygen concentration. The metal ion-erythorbate complex has different thermal properties than erythorbate alone.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If oxygen scavengers are added to completion brines, then corrosion rate is reduced, but the scavengers may cause precipitation and additional forms of corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses metal ions as intermediaries that mediate between the erythorbate oxygen scavenger and the brine system. The metal ion forms a complex with erythorbate that prevents the direct formation of precipitates while still enabling effective oxygen scavenging. This intermediary approach reduces corrosion by removing oxygen without generating the harmful precipitation effects that would otherwise occur with conventional oxygen scavengers.
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 erythorbate-alkylhydroxylamine combination effectively removes dissolved oxygen from completion fluids at high temperatures without causing discoloration or precipitation, ensuring a clear and stable brine that reduces corrosion and formation damage.
Implementation Method 1
oxygen scavengers used in completion brines are reducing agents that will react out most of the oxygen dissolved in the brine
Implementation Method 2
A combination of erythorbate and alkylhydroxylamine is used as an oxygen scavenger, which remains effective and stabilizes the erythorbate at high temperatures, maintaining the brine's clarity and preventing decomposition
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen scavenger for completion brines effective and stable in high temperature subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the scavenger contains erythorbate and alkylhydroxlyamine.