Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Viscosity via Guanidine Salts
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved viscosifying systems for hydraulic fracturing fluids that incorporate a combination of synthetic and natural polymers, particularly to enhance viscosity beyond what is achievable with synthetic polymers alone, as existing systems either rely heavily on natural polymers or use high concentrations of viscosifying agents that are not optimal.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fracturing fluid composition that includes a major portion of synthetic hydratable polymers and a minor portion of natural hydratable polymers, along with an effective amount of a viscosifying system containing guanidine salts, which increases the viscosity of the synthetic polymer system by 20% or more compared to fluids using only synthetic polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If natural polymers are used as viscosifying agents in hydraulic fracturing fluids, then the viscosity of the fluid is improved, but the cost and availability are worsened due to dependence on natural resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing natural polymer viscosifiers with synthetic polymer systems (PHPA, HPAM, HEC) combined with crosslinking agents (borate, aluminate, ferric) to achieve comparable or superior viscosity characteristics while eliminating dependence on natural resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite viscosifying systems by combining synthetic polymers with crosslinking agents to form gel structures that provide the desired viscosity enhancement without using natural polymers, effectively substituting one material system for another with improved performance characteristics
2Strength
If high concentrations of viscosifying agents are used to increase viscosity, then the viscosity is improved, but the fluid loss and environmental impact are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of viscosifying agents by using moderate amounts of polymer combined with crosslinking agents to achieve high viscosity, thereby reducing the total volume of chemicals required and minimizing fluid loss to the formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces crosslinking agents as intermediary substances that amplify the viscosity-enhancing effect of the polymer by forming gel networks, allowing lower polymer concentrations to achieve the same viscosity level, thus reducing overall chemical usage and fluid loss
3Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic polymers are used to replace natural polymers, then the consistency and performance are improved, but the viscosity enhancement capability is worsened compared to natural polymer systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite systems by combining synthetic polymers with crosslinking agents to form gel structures that restore and enhance viscosity capability, compensating for the lower inherent viscosity of synthetic polymers compared to natural polymers while maintaining composition consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight and hydrolysis degree parameters of the synthetic polymers, and optimizes crosslinking agent concentrations, to achieve viscosity levels comparable to or exceeding natural polymer systems while maintaining the consistency advantages of synthetic polymers
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 combination significantly enhances the viscosity of the fracturing fluid, allowing for more effective fracturing operations by increasing the viscosity of the synthetic polymer system by 20% to 40% compared to fluids using only synthetic polymers, thereby improving the efficiency of the fracturing process.
Implementation Method 1
an effective amount of a viscosifying system including one guanidine salt or a plurality of guanidine salts, where the effective amount is sufficient to increase the viscosity of the synthetic polymer system by 20% or more
Data Source
AI summary
Novel fracturing fluid compositions including a polymers system including a major portion of one synthetic hydratable polymer or a plurality of synthetic hydratable polymers, and a minor portion of one natural hydratable polymer or a plurality natural hydratable polymers, and an effective amount of a viscosifying system including one guanidine salt or a plurality of guanidine salts, where the effective amount is sufficient to increase the viscosity of the synthetic polymer system by 20% or more compared to fracturing fluids including only the synthetic polymer system and methods for making and using the compositions.