Polyacrylamide Concentrate Dilution for Mixing Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for making aqueous treatment fluids for oil recovery struggle with proper and quick mixing of aqueous polyacrylamide concentrates with other components, leading to inefficient hydration and dissolution of polymers.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the pre-dilution of an aqueous polymer concentrate with an aqueous base fluid to a concentration of 0.01 to 2 wt.% of water-soluble polymer, followed by mixing with additional aqueous base fluid to obtain the treatment fluid, using a device with specific components like pumps and a device for narrowing the cross-section to enhance dissolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate is mixed directly with aqueous treatment fluid, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mixing efficiency and dissolution speed of polymer are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the mixing process into two distinct stages: first, pre-dilution of the polyacrylamide concentrate to reduce its viscosity and improve溶解性; second, mixing of the diluted solution with the aqueous treatment fluid. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving better overall mixing efficiency without requiring overly complex equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-diluting the polyacrylamide concentrate before mixing it with the aqueous treatment fluid. This preliminary step reduces the polymer concentration from 3.5-10 wt.% to 0.01-2 wt.%, making the polymer more soluble and easier to mix quickly and uniformly with the treatment fluid, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If high concentration polyacrylamide concentrate is used, then the polymer content is improved, but the dissolution and hydration speed are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer contentVSAvoiddissolution speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary dilution of the polyacrylamide concentrate to reduce its concentration from 3.5-10 wt.% to 0.01-2 wt.%. This preliminary action decreases the polymer's viscosity and improves its solubility, enabling faster dissolution and hydration speeds while still maintaining adequate polymer content for effective treatment fluid formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the polyacrylamide solution by introducing an aqueous base fluid to dilute the concentrate. This parameter change from high concentration (3.5-10 wt.%) to low concentration (0.01-2 wt.%) fundamentally alters the physical properties of the polymer solution, improving its dissolution kinetics and hydration speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures quick hydration and better dissolution of polyacrylamide concentrates, improving the efficiency of aqueous treatment fluids used in oil recovery processes.

Implementation Method 1

diluting an aqueous polymer concentrate with an aqueous base fluid to a concentration of 0.01 to 2 wt. % of the water-soluble polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDilution:

Implementation Method 2

mixing the diluted aqueous polymer concentrate with additional aqueous base fluid, thereby obtaining the aqueous treatment fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 3

using a device with specific components like pumps and a device for narrowing the cross-section to enhance dissolution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS20250154838A1Improved process and device for making aqueous wellbore treating fluids

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 BASF SE

AI summary

A device and a process for making aqueous treatment fluids for recovering crude oil from subterranean, oil-bearing formations, comprising water-soluble polymers, preferably polyacrylamides, by firstly diluting an aqueous polymer concentrate comprising 3.5 to 10 wt. % of water-soluble polymer with an aqueous base fluid to a concentration of 0.01 to 2 wt. % of the water-soluble polymer. And secondly, dosing the diluted aqueous polymer concentrate into a blender or a polymer injection unit to obtain an aqueous treatment fluid. The aqueous treatment fluids obtained may be used as fracturing fluids or as enhance oil recovery fluids, among others. Furthermore, a new aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate—and its preparation process—, which may be used as starting material for making aqueous treatment fluids. The new aqueous polyacrylamide concentrate comprises at least water, polyacrylamide, a salt and a polyol or a surfactant.