Persulfate Breaker for Low-Temperature Polymer Viscosity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods face challenges in breaking the viscosity of fluids viscosified with synthetic polymers or multi-chain polysaccharides at low temperatures, particularly in surface or downhole applications, where temperatures are below 100°F, making it difficult to reuse or dispose of such fluids efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A persulfate compound activated by a strong base is used to effectively break the viscosity of fluids viscosified with synthetic polymers or multi-chain polysaccharides, particularly useful at low and very low temperatures, using a simple two-component system of sodium persulfate and sodium hydroxide, which can reduce the viscosity of fluids with xanthan from 60 lb/Mgal to 3 cP or less at 85°F within a short time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional breakers are used to break polymeric material at low temperatures (below 100°F), then the breaking efficiency is poor, but using higher temperatures would improve breaking efficiency while increasing energy consumption and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the breaker system by using persulfate compounds combined with specific catalysts (metal ions, enzymes, or nanomaterials) to enable effective polymer breaking at low temperatures without requiring thermal energy input, thus resolving the contradiction between breaking efficiency and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal mechanism (heating) with a chemical mechanism (persulfate-catalyst reaction system) to achieve polymer breaking, substituting a mechanical/thermal system with a chemical system that operates effectively at low temperatures
2Stability of the object's composition
If polyacrylamides are used as viscosity-increasing agents due to their good thermal stability, then the fluid maintains stability at high temperatures, but the polymer becomes difficult to break at low temperatures (especially below 90°F)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs persulfate compounds as strong oxidants that generate free radicals to rapidly break the stable polyacrylamide chains at low temperatures, overcoming the thermal stability that normally prevents breaking through conventional means
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces catalysts (metal ions, enzymes, or nanomaterials) as intermediaries that facilitate the reaction between persulfate and polyacrylamide at low temperatures, enabling the breaking process without requiring thermal energy
3Force
If multi-chain polymers and synthetic polymers are used to increase viscosity, then the fluid achieves desired viscosity, but these polymers are much more difficult to break compared to single-chain polysaccharides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical reactivity parameters by using persulfate compounds that can attack and break the complex multi-chain polymer structures through free radical mechanisms, making the breaking process effective despite the structural complexity
4Quantity of substance
If non-freshwater sources (flowback water, produced water, brine) are used to form new well fluids, then water availability increases, but the residual polymer in these waters causes undesirably high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the residual polymer viscosity from the non-freshwater sources by applying the persulfate-catalyst system that breaks down the polymeric material, enabling the water to be reused for new well fluid formulations
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 allows for controlled and efficient breaking of synthetic polymers and multi-chain polysaccharides at low temperatures, reducing the viscosity of fluids to near water-like consistency, making it practical for field applications without the need for heating, and is environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
A persulfate compound activated by a strong base can be used for low-temperature breaking of a fluid viscosified with a synthetic polymer, a multi-chain polysaccharide, or combination
Data Source
AI summary
A persulfate compound activated by a strong base is used for low-temperature breaking of fluids viscosified with one or more water-soluble synthetic polymers, wherein the water-soluble synthetic polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamides, copolymers of polyacrylamide, derivatives of polyacrylamide or of copolymers of polyacrylamide, and any combination thereof. The breaker system can be used in an oilfield or pipeline application where such a synthetic polymer, a multi-chain polysaccharide, or combination thereof may be present in a fluid. It is particularly useful at low temperatures of less than 100° F.