Fracturing Fluid Nanoparticle Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydraulic fracturing fluids are unstable at high temperatures found in tight subterranean gas formations, leading to polymer residue that blocks gas flow, and require high concentrations of thermally stable polymers to maintain viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A fracturing fluid comprising an aqueous solution, carboxyl-containing synthetic polymers, metal oxide nanoparticles with a particle size of 0.1 to 500 nanometers, and a metal crosslinker such as zirconium, titanium, or aluminum to form a crosslinked gel, reducing the need for high polyacrylamide concentrations and minimizing polymer residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crosslinked polysaccharide gels are used to transport proppant, then proppant suspension is achieved, but the fluids become unstable at high temperatures (149 to 204 °C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional polysaccharide gels with thermally stable synthetic polymers (polyacrylamide) and incorporates metal oxide nanoparticles (1-500 nm) to modify the fluid's thermal stability characteristics, enabling operation at 149 to 204 °C
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite fracturing fluid system combining thermally stable synthetic polymers with metal oxide nanoparticles and proppant, forming a multi-component composition that achieves both thermal stability and proppant suspension capability at high temperatures
2Stability of the object's composition
If thermally stable synthetic polymers are used at high concentrations to maintain viscosity, then proppant suspension is maintained, but polymer residue blocks gas flow after degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Metal oxide nanoparticles serve as intermediary agents that enhance viscosity and stabilize the fracturing fluid at high temperatures, allowing reduced polymer concentrations (0.1 to 5 pounds per thousand gallons) while maintaining proppant suspension, thereby minimizing polymer residue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of synthetic polymers to optimized low levels (0.1 to 5 lbs/1000 gallons) and introduces metal oxide nanoparticle concentration (1 to 500 nm size range) as a controlling parameter to maintain viscosity without excessive polymer residue
3Stability of the object's composition
If high polymer concentrations are used to generate enough viscosity, then proppant suspension is maintained, but complete degradation becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Metal oxide nanoparticles act as intermediary thickening agents that enable viscosity control at low polymer concentrations, facilitating complete degradation after the fracturing operation while maintaining proppant suspension during treatment
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 solution maintains viscosity at high temperatures (149 to 204 °C) while reducing polymer residue, allowing for effective proppant suspension and gas extraction without damaging the formation.
Implementation Method 1
metal oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of 0.1 to 500 nanometers
Implementation Method 2
The metal oxide nanoparticles, which may include transition metal oxides or rare earth oxides, increase the viscosity of the fracturing fluid
Implementation Method 3
a metal crosslinker which crosslinks the carboxyl-containing synthetic polymers and the metal oxide nanoparticles to form a crosslinked gel
Implementation Method 4
maintains its requisite viscosity at high temperatures, for example, 149 to 204 °C (300 to 400 °F)
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments for a high temperature fracturing fluid comprise an aqueous fluid, carboxyl-containing synthetic polymer, metal oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of 0.1 to 500 nanometers, and a metal crosslinker which crosslinks the carboxyl-containing synthetic polymers to form a crosslinked gel, wherein the metal oxide nanoparticles are dispersed within the crosslinked gel.