Glutaraldehyde and Phosphonium Salt Synergy in Water-Based Fluids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biocidal methods are not entirely effective in controlling all types of bacterial growth and are often incompatible with other water treatment additives, necessitating a more efficient biocidal treatment for microbial control in water-based systems, particularly in anaerobic environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and formulation using a specific ratio of glutaraldehyde and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate, ranging from 3.5:1 to 6:1, to effectively inhibit anaerobic microbes in water-based fluids, without the use of quaternary ammonium compounds or adducts, allowing for the use of anionic polymers and other additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional biocides are used to control microbial growth, then some bacterial growth is inhibited, but they are not entirely effective against all types of bacteria and are incompatible with other water treatment additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines glutaraldehyde and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate in a specific weight ratio (3:1 to 1:2) to create a synergistic biocidal mixture that overcomes the limitations of individual biocides. This combination provides broader-spectrum effectiveness against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria while maintaining compatibility with other water treatment additives like anionic polymers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite biocidal system by formulating glutaraldehyde and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate together in optimized ratios. This composite approach leverages the complementary mechanisms of action of both compounds to achieve enhanced reliability and versatility compared to single biocide systems
2Reliability
If higher concentrations of biocides are used to improve microbial control, then effectiveness increases, but cost and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining glutaraldehyde and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate in synergistic ratios, the system achieves enhanced microbial control at lower overall biocide concentrations than would be required for single biocides. The synergistic interaction allows each component to work more efficiently, reducing the total quantity needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratio parameters of the biocidal components to maximize effectiveness while minimizing total biocide loading. By adjusting the weight ratio within the specified range and optimizing absolute concentrations, the system achieves high reliability with reduced substance quantity
3Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used in biocidal formulations, then biocidal activity is enhanced, but compatibility with anionic polymers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes quaternary ammonium compounds from the biocidal formulation and replaces them with tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate combined with glutaraldehyde. This extraction of the incompatible component eliminates the compatibility issue with anionic polymers while maintaining or enhancing biocidal activity through the alternative chemical system
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
This approach maximizes synergy between glutaraldehyde and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate, providing efficient microbial control at low biocide loadings, reducing costs and environmental impact, while allowing for unhindered use of anionic polymers, and offering tailored solutions for different microbial environments.
Implementation Method 1
The inventors have determined that there remains a need for biocidal treatment methods and formulations having increased efficiency over current systems. In EP 0 385 801 A1 phosphonium salts such as THP and aldehydes such as formaldehyde are shown to exhibit synergistic biocidal activity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and formulations for reducing or inhibiting increase in the concentration of microbes in a water-based fluid. The methods and formulations of the present invention use glutaraldehyde and a hydroxymethyl- substituted phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phoshponium salts, C1-C3 alkyl- and alkenyltris(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts and tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, in a ratio of hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound to glutaraldehyde in the range of about 2:1 to about 7:1, or about 3.5:1 to about 7.5:1. The methods and formulations of the present invention can be useful in treating water contaminated with aerobic or anaerobic bacteria in oilfield, natural gas field and other industrial applications.