Hydroxyiminodisuccinic Acid Chelating Agent for Scale Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chelating agents used in acidizing operations face limitations due to protonation at low pH values, limited environmental profile, and high alkali metal content, which restricts the working pH range and effectiveness in subterranean treatment operations, particularly in carbonate and siliceous formations, leading to scale precipitation issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid (HIDS) or its salt as a chelating agent, which is biodegradable, commercially available, and effective in complexing metal ions at a wide pH range, allowing for controlled acidizing operations and reducing scale formation by maintaining solubility and reducing corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chelating agents are used in acidizing operations, then metal ion complexation occurs, but the chelating agents become protonated at low pH values reducing their effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechelating agent effectivenessVSAvoidworking pH range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of chelating agents by introducing fluorinated carbon chains, which changes the acid-base properties and allows the chelating agents to remain effective at lower pH values. This structural parameter change enables the chelating agents to maintain metal ion complexation capability in highly acidic environments where conventional chelating agents become protonated and ineffective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If chelating agents with high alkali metal content are used, then metal ion complexation is enhanced, but environmental profile deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal ion complexation capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs chelating agents based on biodegradable polymers that can be environmentally degraded after use, eliminating the need for high alkali metal content. These chelating agents provide sufficient metal ion complexation capability while being environmentally friendly and can be disposed of or degraded naturally, avoiding the environmental harm associated with persistent alkali metal-containing chelating agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If acidizing operations proceed at high rates, then carbonate mineral dissolution increases, but scale precipitation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbonate dissolution rateVSAvoidscale precipitation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces chelating agents as intermediary substances that bind to metal ions released during carbonate mineral dissolution. These chelating agents act as mediators that prevent scale precipitation by maintaining metal ions in soluble complexed form, allowing high-rate acidizing operations to proceed without the harmful side effect of scale formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If hydrofluoric acid is used to treat siliceous formations, then mineral dissolution is effective, but scale formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesiliceous material dissolutionVSAvoidscale formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs chelating agents as intermediary substances that bind to metal ions released during siliceous formation treatment with hydrofluoric acid. These chelating agents prevent the formation of insoluble scale compounds, allowing effective dissolution of siliceous materials while suppressing the harmful scale formation that would otherwise occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

HIDS enables effective complexation of metal ions across a broader pH range, reducing scale formation and corrosion, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective, allowing for improved acidizing operations in both carbonate and siliceous formations.

Implementation Method 1

complexing a metal ion in the subterranean formation with the chelating agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplexation:

Implementation Method 2

decomposing the carbonate anion to carbon dioxide and leeching a metal ion into the treatment fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

an acid-soluble material in the subterranean formation can be dissolved by one or more acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10240442B2Methods and systems for stimulating a subterranean formation containing a carbonate mineral

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Chelating agents may be used to mitigate the presence of metal ions in a subterranean formation, thereby decreasing the likelihood of the metal ions forming damaging insoluble compounds within the subterranean formation. Methods for treating a subterranean formation can comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous carrier fluid and a chelating agent comprising hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid or any salt thereof; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation comprising a carbonate mineral; and complexing a metal ion in the subterranean formation with the chelating agent.