Guar Derivative Friction Reducer for High-Brine Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current friction reducers for hydraulic fracturing, such as polyacrylamides, are ineffective in high-brine solutions and face challenges with hydration, storage, and transport due to their large molecule size and sensitivity to salt, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process involving reacting guar splits with reagents at controlled temperatures to form guar derivatives, which are then co-ground with acids to produce a dry, powdered product with fast hydration characteristics, suitable for use as a friction-reducing and viscosity-building additive in high-brine frac fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyacrylamide friction reducers are used in high-brine frac fluids, then friction reduction is achieved in fresh water, but the additives become ineffective in high-brine solutions due to salt sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the friction reducer by using guar-based polymers with specific molecular weight ranges (10^6 to 10^8 Daltons) and controlled degrees of substitution (0.3 to 0.7 hydroxypropyl groups per anhydroglucose unit). These parameter adjustments enable the additive to maintain effectiveness in high-brine environments where conventional polyacrylamides fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite chemical structure by combining guar gum with hydroxypropyl groups through controlled substitution. This composite approach, with specific ratios of substituted and unsubstituted glucose units, provides both friction reduction capability and salt tolerance, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and adaptability.
2Reliability
If large molecule size friction reducers are used to reduce friction, then friction reduction is achieved, but hydration, storage, and transport become difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large polymer molecules into controlled size ranges (10^6 to 10^8 Daltons) and provides them in divided solid form (powder or granules) with specific particle size distributions. This segmentation enables easier handling, storage, and transport while maintaining the friction reduction effectiveness of larger molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction reducer is prepared in advance as a dry powder with controlled molecular weight and substitution degree, eliminating the need for on-site hydration of large molecules. This preliminary preparation in a stable solid form simplifies storage and transport, while the controlled molecular characteristics ensure rapid and complete hydration when mixed with frac fluid.
3Reliability
If conventional friction reducers are used, then friction reduction is achieved, but costs increase due to inefficiencies in handling and effectiveness limitations
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the molecular weight (10^6 to 10^8 Daltons) and substitution degree (0.3 to 0.7 HPDAGU) of the guar-based polymer, the patent achieves superior friction reduction performance that reduces pumping energy requirements. The specific parameter ranges maximize the additive's effectiveness, thereby reducing the energy loss associated with friction during frac fluid injection.
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 resulting product effectively reduces friction and enhances viscosity in frac fluids, allowing for efficient pumping and proppant delivery, while being cost-effective, scalable, and easily storable and transportable in powder form.
Implementation Method 1
reacting guar splits with reagents at controlled temperatures to form guar derivatives
Implementation Method 2
co-ground in a co-grinder to an average particle bulk diameter of at least 90% by weight of a given quantity thereof to be less than or equal to 74 microns
Implementation Method 3
Additives, including those of a polymeric nature, can be used to alter the rheological properties of the frac fluid so that friction is reduced
Implementation Method 4
produce a dry, powdered product with fast hydration characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A system for making and using a ground product that includes one or more of: a reactor operated to react a guar split with a reagent at a reaction temperature in a range of 120° F. to 180° F. to form a guar derivative, and a treatment and transfer section for optionally treating the guar derivative and transferring the guar derivative to a co-grinder. The co-grinder is operably associated with a heated vacuum system and is operated to co-grind an acid with the guar derivative to form a ground product.