Parenchymal Cellulose Particulate Material for Drilling Fluid Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellulose-based compositions for viscosity modification in drilling fluids and other applications face stability issues and unwanted filter cake formation, which affects their suitability and performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of treated parenchymal cellulosic particles derived from plant material, using a peroxide reagent to break down herbaceous plant material, resulting in cellulose-containing particles with controlled viscosity and stability, combined with natural or synthetic polymers to enhance shear thinning behavior and prevent flocculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If chemically modified cellulose is used to increase viscosity, then viscosity modification is achieved, but energy consumption increases and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of cellulose through controlled oxidation with sodium chlorite, transforming native cellulose into oxidized cellulose with specific aldehyde group concentrations (0.01-10 mmol/g). This chemical parameter modification achieves viscosity enhancement without requiring energy-intensive processes like hydroxyethyl cellulose production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sodium chlorite as a strong oxidant to accelerate the oxidation of cellulose, creating aldehyde groups that enhance viscosity. This oxidation approach provides an alternative to energy-intensive chemical modifications while achieving the desired rheological properties in aqueous systems
2Force
If microfibrilar and nanofibrilar cellulose compositions are used as viscosity modifiers, then high viscosity is achieved, but stability issues occur and filter cake formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces specific local chemical groups (aldehyde groups at controlled concentrations) into the cellulose structure, creating localized reactive sites that enable crosslinking with polyols. This local quality modification prevents unwanted aggregation and filter cake formation while maintaining high viscosity, resolving the stability issue associated with microfibrilar and nanofibrilar cellulose compositions
3Force
If highly purified cellulose substructures are used as additives, then viscosity modification is achieved, but coagulation occurs which renders compositions unsuitable for application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polyols (glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol) as intermediary substances that crosslink with aldehyde groups on oxidized cellulose. These polyol crosslinkers act as mediators between cellulose molecules, preventing direct coagulation while maintaining the desired viscosity enhancement, thus eliminating the harmful coagulation effect
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 treated cellulose particles demonstrate high stability, mechanical strength, and controlled viscosity, effectively addressing stability and filter cake issues, while allowing for the synergistic enhancement of shear thinning behavior and flocculation control in diverse applications such as drilling fluids and paint formulations.
Implementation Method 1
contacting herbaceous plant material comprising greater than 30% by volume of parenchymal cell material and less than 10 wt % lignocelluloses with a peroxide reagent and water
Implementation Method 2
heating the mixture from (i) to a temperature of from 30 to 110° C. and maintaining said mixture at a temperature of from 30 to 110° C. until the pH of the mixture has dropped by at least 2 pH units
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition comprising a plant-derived cellulose particulate material comprising less than 30 wt % extractable glucose; and extractable xylose in an amount of at least 3% of the amount of extractable xylose in the starting plant material, and an agent selected from the group comprising natural ionic polymers or natural non-ionic polymers; synthetic water dispersible polymers, and/or associative thickeners, and its various uses, including as a drilling fluid.