(Per)chlorate-Reducing Bacteria Sulfide Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inadequate in effectively controlling sulfide production in oil and gas reservoirs and pipelines, leading to corrosion issues and operational challenges due to the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria, as they do not completely inhibit sulfide generation even with the addition of nitrate or other electron acceptors.
Innovation Solution
Introducing (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria and chlorine oxyanions into the systems to stimulate (per)chlorate-reducing activity, which oxidizes sulfide-containing compounds to elemental sulfur, thereby reducing sulfide levels and inhibiting sulfidogenesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If nitrate is added to inhibit sulfate-reducing bacteria activity, then sulfide production is reduced, but sulfate-reduction is not completely inhibited and additional costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electron acceptor parameter from nitrate to (per)chlorate, which provides more complete inhibition of sulfate-reducing bacteria. (per)Chlorate serves as a more effective alternative electron acceptor that reliably stops sulfide production without the incomplete inhibition problems associated with nitrate addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria as a temporary biological agent that consumes (per)chlorate to outcompete sulfate-reducing bacteria for electron donors. This disposable biological approach provides reliable sulfide production control without requiring continuous expensive chemical additions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria and chlorine oxyanions are introduced, then sulfide concentrations are effectively decreased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria that self-organize to outcompete sulfate-reducing bacteria for electron donors. The system uses the indigenous or introduced bacteria's natural metabolic competition to control sulfide production, requiring minimal external intervention beyond (per)chlorate addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses (per)chlorate as an intermediary substance that mediates the competition between bacterial groups. (per)chlorate serves as an alternative electron acceptor that (per)chlorate-reducing bacteria utilize to outcompete sulfate-reducing bacteria, indirectly achieving sulfide production control.
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
This approach effectively decreases sulfide concentrations, mitigating corrosion and operational issues by converting hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur, which can be removed, thus addressing the limitations of existing methods in controlling sulfide production.
Implementation Method 1
microbial metabolism of chlorine oxyanions... (per)chlorate-reducing activity... oxidizes sulfide-containing compounds to elemental sulfur
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods of controlling the sulfide (S2−) content in systems, such as oil and gas reservoirs and pipelines, by the use of chlorine oxyanions and microorganisms with (per)chlorate-reducing activity.