Friction Reducer Fluid Using Non-Toxic Solvent Blend

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic fracturing processes contaminate water supplies due to the use of toxic and flammable chemicals, posing environmental and health risks, and existing disposal methods are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A safer, environmentally friendly friction reducer fluid is developed using a solvent blend comprising propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, surfactants, and dipropylene glycol ethers, which are non-toxic and non-flammable, replacing hazardous petroleum-based solvents like naphtha and dichloroethylene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If toxic and flammable chemicals (e.g., naphtha, dichloroethylene) are used as friction reducers in hydraulic fracturing, then the ability to dissolve high-molecular weight hydrocarbons and reduce friction is improved, but environmental contamination and health risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reduction effectivenessVSAvoidwater supply contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing toxic petroleum-based solvents with non-toxic, non-flammable alternatives such as propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, surfactants, and dipropylene glycol ethers. This substitution maintains the friction reduction functionality while eliminating the harmful effects on water supplies and human health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite solvent blend comprising multiple components (propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, surfactants, and dipropylene glycol ethers) that work synergistically to achieve effective friction reduction and hydrocarbon dissolution without the toxic effects of individual petroleum-based chemicals. This composite approach allows the formulation to meet performance requirements while being environmentally safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional petroleum-based solvents are used, then friction reduction and hydrocarbon dissolution are achieved, but flammability and environmental safety worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon flow enhancementVSAvoidchemical flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the flammability parameter by selecting solvent components with inherently non-flammable properties. Propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol ethers are chosen specifically because they do not pose fire hazards, thereby maintaining productivity in hydrocarbon flow enhancement while eliminating the harmful flammability characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If large amounts of water and chemicals are used in fracking, then gas release and flow are improved, but water supply contamination and disposal costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas flow rateVSAvoidchemical disposal cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical safety parameters of the fracking fluid by using biodegradable, non-toxic solvents. This allows the chemicals to be safely disposed of in the environment without requiring expensive hazardous waste disposal facilities, thereby reducing the loss of substance cost while maintaining effective gas flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs biodegradable components that naturally break down in the environment through microbial action. This self-degradation capability eliminates the need for expensive人工 disposal processes and hazardous waste facilities, allowing the system to service itself by converting waste into harmless byproducts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 new solvent blend effectively reduces friction in hydraulic fracturing, is biodegradable, and significantly reduces the environmental impact by minimizing contamination risks while maintaining the ability to dissolve high-molecular weight hydrocarbons, thus enhancing the safety and sustainability of the fracturing process.

Implementation Method 1

the disclosed composition has low-toxicity, low-flammability, and is safer to the environment than the friction-reduction component currently used in the industry... the disclosed composition may be used as replacement for the friction-reduction component... the disclosed composition effectively reduces friction in hydraulic fracturing, is biodegradable, and significantly reduces the environmental impact by minimizing contamination risks while maintaining the ability to dissolve high-molecular weight hydrocarbons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10954430B2Low-toxicity, low-flammability, environmentally-safe, friction reducer fluid for hydraulic fracturing

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 ROGERS COURTNEY GENE

AI summary

Improved hydraulic fracturing compositions are disclosed which help reduce potential negative environmental impact by hydraulic fracturing. The disclosed compositions have flammability and toxicity and are relatively safe for the environment. The compositions may also contain biodegradable components.