Low-Temperature Exothermic Catalyst for Wellbore Deposit Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore operations face challenges in removing damaging materials like paraffin deposits, scales, and asphaltenes at low temperatures, which restrict hydrocarbon flow due to existing techniques' inefficiencies and inability to initiate exothermic reactions below 70° F (21° C).
Innovation Solution
An exothermic reaction mixture comprising a low-temperature catalyst and activator, such as sodium nitrite and diethylene glycol diformate, is injected into the wellbore to generate heat and initiate a reaction at temperatures as low as 40° F (4° C), using a buffer and surfactant to control energy release and reaction rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing techniques are used to remove damaging materials, then the wellbore operations can proceed, but the techniques are inefficient and cannot initiate exothermic reactions below 70° F (21° C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter threshold for reaction initiation from above 70° F to below 70° F by introducing a low-temperature catalyst (sodium nitrite) and activator (diethylene glycol diformate) system. This parameter change enables the exothermic reaction to proceed in cold wellbore conditions where previous techniques failed, directly resolving the contradiction between removal efficiency and operational ease at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalyst-activator system as an intermediary mechanism that lowers the activation energy barrier for the exothermic reaction. The catalyst (sodium nitrite) and activator (diethylene glycol diformate) work together to initiate the reaction at temperatures below 70° F, serving as a mediator that enables the reaction to proceed under conditions where it would otherwise be impossible.
2Productivity
If high temperatures are used to remove damaging materials, then the removal effectiveness increases, but the operation time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition and exothermic heat release of the sodium nitrite and diethylene glycol diformate reaction system to rapidly raise the local temperature in the wellbore. This controlled phase transition provides immediate heat to melt and remove damaging materials without requiring prolonged exposure to high temperatures, thus improving removal effectiveness while reducing overall operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-temperature catalyst-activator system enables the exothermic reaction to skip the intermediate heating phase and proceed directly to rapid material removal. By initiating the reaction at low temperatures and using the catalyst-activator system to accelerate the exothermic process, the method rushes through the material removal process more quickly than conventional high-temperature methods.
3Ease of operation
If exothermic reaction is initiated at low temperatures, then the ease of operation improves, but the reaction rate and energy release may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite reaction system by combining the catalyst (sodium nitrite) and activator (diethylene glycol diformate) in a specific formulation. This composite material system synergistically enhances the reaction rate and energy release at low temperatures, with the activator accelerating the decomposition of the catalyst to produce the exothermic reaction, thereby achieving both low temperature operation and high power output.
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 solution effectively removes damaging materials by increasing temperatures and breaking down deposits, enhancing hydrocarbon flow without requiring high temperatures or extensive operation times, thus improving wellbore efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A catalyst and an activator for initiating an exothermic reaction in a fluid flow path at low temperatures to remove damaging material
Implementation Method 2
A catalyst and an activator for initiating an exothermic reaction
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a combination of a catalyst and an activator and method of use for causing an exothermic reaction in a low temperature environment. The mixture can include sodium nitrite, an ammonium-based compound, a catalyst that comprises an oxidizer, and an activator and can be injected into a fluid flow path. The fluid flow path can be a pipeline, a flowline, a wellbore, or a subterranean formation. The mixture can cause an exothermic reaction in the fluid flow path and remove, using the exothermic reaction, a damaging material from the fluid flow path.