One-Component Fracturing Fluid Additive via Emulsion Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fracturing fluid additives, particularly dry powder thickeners, face issues such as high labor intensity, dust formation, uneven mixing, long dissolution times, and environmental pollution due to emulsion-type and oil dispersion-type fluids, which compromise performance and safety in oil and gas fields.
Innovation Solution
A one-component multi-functional fracturing fluid additive is prepared using a process involving ethylene glycol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, and 1-octanol as dispersants, combined with high molecular polymer thickeners and auxiliary agents like clay stabilizers and corrosion inhibitors, which are uniformly mixed and stabilized to create a temperature-resistant, shear-resistant, and environmentally friendly additive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dry powder thickeners are used in water-base fracturing fluids, then the thickeners can be stored and transported easily, but they cause high labor intensity, dust formation, uneven mixing, and long dissolution time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the thickener from solid powder to liquid emulsion form. This parameter change eliminates dust formation during handling, reduces labor intensity during mixing, and significantly shortens dissolution time while maintaining the thickening functionality in fracturing fluids
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an emulsion system as an intermediary form between the solid thickener and the final fracturing fluid. The emulsion contains pre-dispersed thickener particles in a liquid medium, serving as a mediator that facilitates easy mixing and rapid dissolution while eliminating dust issues associated with direct powder handling
2Ease of operation
If emulsion-type fracturing fluids are used to improve ease of mixing, then the dissolution time is reduced, but the viscosity retention rate is low and the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the emulsion formulation by adjusting parameters such as surfactant selection, oil phase composition, and water phase pH to achieve both easy mixing and high viscosity retention. The modified emulsion maintains stable thickening performance while reducing cost by selecting more economical surfactants and additives
3Speed
If oil dispersion-type fracturing fluids are used to improve flow properties, then the fluidity is enhanced, but they cause serious pollution to formations due to harmful organic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful organic solvents in traditional oil dispersion fluids into beneficial components by using biodegradable oils and environmentally friendly surfactants. The fluidity-enhancing properties are maintained through optimized emulsion formulation while eliminating formation pollution, making the fracturing fluid environmentally safe
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the dispersant phase from harmful organic solvents to environmentally benign alternatives. This parameter change maintains the fluidity and flow enhancement benefits while eliminating the harmful effects on formations and environment
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate additives are used to achieve multi-functional performance, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the preparation process becomes complex and dissolution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate additive functions into a single integrated emulsion formulation. The emulsion simultaneously provides thickening, clay stabilization, corrosion inhibition, and fluid loss control functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate additives and simplifying the preparation process to a single mixing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal emulsion additive that performs multiple functions simultaneously. This multi-functional additive can be used across different fracturing fluid systems and geological conditions, providing comprehensive performance enhancement while simplifying the additive system to a single versatile product
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 additive exhibits improved stability, flowback fluid handling, and reduced pollution, with enhanced performance characteristics like temperature resistance, shear resistance, and salt resistance, addressing the limitations of existing systems while ensuring environmental protection and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Mixing ethylene glycol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol and 1-octanol, and heating to uniformly disperse the mixture to obtain an aqueous dispersant
Implementation Method 2
Adding a high molecular polymer thickener and an auxiliary agent to the aqueous dispersant, and stirring the mixture at a high speed to obtain a suspension
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a one-component type multi-functional fracturing fluid additive and a process for preparing the same. The process the following steps: mixing ethylene glycol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 1-hexanol and 1-octanol, and heating to uniformly disperse the mixture to obtain an aqueous dispersant; adding a high molecular polymer thickener and an auxiliary agent to the aqueous dispersant, and stirring the mixture at a high speed to obtain a suspension, wherein the auxiliary agent is one or more selected from clay stabilizers, drainage aids, drag reducers, emulsion inhibitors, filtrate reducers, corrosion inhibitors and fungicides; and slowly stirring the suspension at a low speed, and cooling the suspension to room temperature to collect a sample of suspension. This auxiliary agent has good characteristics such as temperature resistance, shear resistance, salt resistance, and sand suspension.