Non-Ceramic Dry Carrier for Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carriers used in hydraulic fracturing and environmental remediation lack stability and chemical retention duration, leading to increased costs and health risks due to crystalline silicates, and current methods for preparing chemical-infused carriers result in inefficient loading and potential for additional infusion.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-loaded non-ceramic dry carrier product is developed by loading reagent liquids or solids onto perlite, pumice, scoria, or exfoliated vermiculite or activated charcoal particles, followed by multiple drying iterations to achieve a powdered, free-flowing material with improved carrier stability and chemical retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-loading method is used for preparing chemical-infused carriers, then preparation time is reduced, but loading efficiency is insufficient and additional infusion is required
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier particles are pre-treated with a coating agent before reagent loading to create optimal surface conditions for maximum reagent absorption in a single loading operation, eliminating the need for additional infusion steps
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of the carrier particles are modified through coating treatment to change their absorption parameters, enabling them to achieve optimal loading capacity in one step rather than requiring multiple loading cycles
2Strength
If crystalline silicate carriers are used, then carrier strength is maintained, but health risks increase due to potential inhalation hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces durable but hazardous crystalline silicate carriers with biodegradable organic polymer carriers that decompose after use, eliminating long-term environmental persistence and reducing health risks while maintaining adequate strength for the application duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite organic polymer materials that combine structural integrity with biodegradability, creating a carrier that provides necessary strength during use but safely decomposes afterward, unlike pure crystalline silicates that persist in the environment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-ceramic materials like perlite and pumice are used as carriers, then health safety is improved, but crush strength is reduced compared to ceramic carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite structures where non-ceramic carrier particles are coated with strengthening agents or embedded in reinforcing matrices, combining the health safety benefits of non-ceramic materials with enhanced mechanical strength through material composition
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 provides enhanced cost-effectiveness, stability, and extended chemical retention, allowing for reduced material usage and frequency of applications in hydraulic fracturing and environmental applications, while avoiding health risks associated with crystalline silicates.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier can absorb or adsorb reagents, usually liquids or solids dissolved or suspended in liquid
Implementation Method 2
Adsorption is adhesion to a surface of another substance
Implementation Method 3
followed by multiple drying iterations to achieve a powdered, free-flowing material
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple-loaded non-ceramic dry carrier product and method for the loading of reagent liquids, solids dissolved in liquids as solutions, suspensions, and solids heated to reduce viscosity, onto perlite, pumice, scoria, or exfoliated vermiculite or activated charcoal particles, which are used as carriers, and then dried in multiple iterations to achieve a powdered, free-flowing material for use in hydraulic fracturing processes and other uses such as environmental remediation and animal control, providing improvements in cost, carrier stability, and chemical retention properties.