Functionalized Fluorescent Dyes for Oil-Phase Reservoir Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water-soluble fluorescent tracers used in oil fields have limited solubility in the oil phase due to high hydrophilicity, leading to adsorption on reservoir rock and poor partitioning, limiting their effectiveness as oil-soluble tracers.
Innovation Solution
Functionalized fluorescent dyes are synthesized by covalently bonding aromatic compounds with primary amines to isothiocyanate-containing dyes, enhancing hydrophobicity and solubility in the oil phase, allowing for barcoded tracers that can be identified by fluorescence and mass analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water-soluble fluorescent dyes are used as tracers, then fluorescence detection capability is maintained, but solubility in oil phases deteriorates due to high hydrophilicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydrophilicity parameter of the dye molecules by covalently bonding hydrophobic aromatic compounds (such as naphthyl, anthracene, pyrene, phenanthrene, fluorene, acridine, carbazole groups) to the water-soluble fluorescent dye. This chemical modification transforms the dye from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, enabling solubility in oil phases while preserving the fluorescent properties for detection.
2Ease of manufacture
If water-soluble fluorescent dyes are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but effectiveness as oil-soluble tracers deteriorates due to adsorption on reservoir rock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the dye by introducing hydrophobic aromatic functional groups, which changes the dye's affinity from water to oil. This transformation prevents adsorption on reservoir rock by making the tracer oil-soluble, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward chemical synthesis.
3Device complexity
If conventional fluorescent dyes are used, then simplicity of the tracer system is maintained, but versatility in tracer applications deteriorates due to limited solubility options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite fluorescent dye molecules by combining the fluorescent chromophore with hydrophobic aromatic functional groups. This composite structure enables the tracer to function in oil phases while maintaining fluorescence detection capability, thereby expanding versatility for partition tracer applications without significantly increasing system complexity.
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 modified dyes provide improved solubility and partitioning in oil phases, enabling effective tracing of fluid flow in subterranean formations, facilitating detailed analysis of hydrocarbon recovery and inter-well connectivity through fluorescence and chromatographic methods.
Implementation Method 1
Functionalized fluorescent dyes are synthesized by covalently bonding aromatic compounds with primary amines to isothiocyanate-containing dyes
Implementation Method 2
The aqueous dye solution and the organic functional group solution are mixed to form an emulsion. The emulsion is separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The functionalized fluorescent dye is extracted from the organic phase.
Implementation Method 3
Molecular tracers can include water-soluble or oil-soluble compounds... water-soluble tracers can provide a better understanding of the studied oil reservoir... oil-soluble tracers can provide information on petroleum products
Data Source
AI summary
A composition includes a functionalized fluorescent dye. The functionalized fluorescent dye includes an isothiocyanate-containing dye functionalized with a functional group. The functional group includes an aromatic compound with a primary amine. The functionalized fluorescent dye can be mixed with a fluid to form a tracer fluid for tracing fluid flow in a subterranean formation.