Polydentate Ligand Composition for Radium Scale Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The petroleum industry faces challenges in effectively removing and managing Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM) deposits, particularly barium sulfate scales containing radium isotopes, which are difficult to dissolve and require costly and labor-intensive manual processes, often resulting in incomplete decontamination and economic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising polydentate ligands, chelating agents, and carboxylic acids is used to form a coordination complex that preferentially attracts and stabilizes radioactive elements like radium, allowing for their effective removal from equipment surfaces, utilizing a mixture of polyamino carboxylic acids, small molecular weight carboxylic acids, and metallic salts in a liquid form that acts synergistically to enhance complexation and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical removal or discarding methods are used for barium sulfate scale, then complete removal can be achieved, but the process becomes costly and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical removal methods (scaling, scraping, blasting) with a chemical solution system comprising polydentate ligands, chelating agents, and carboxylic acids that dissolve barium sulfate scale through coordination complexation, eliminating the need for labor-intensive mechanical intervention while achieving complete decontamination
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the removal process by using a multi-component chemical system that alters the solubility characteristics of barium sulfate through complexation, transforming an insoluble scale into soluble coordination complexes that can be easily removed with water
2Reliability
If conventional solvents are used to dissolve barium sulfate scale, then some removal is achieved, but the process takes a long time to reach equilibrium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a multi-component chemical system with polydentate ligands, chelating agents, and carboxylic acids that are specifically designed to rapidly complex with barium ions, creating an aggressive dissolving environment from the start that dramatically accelerates the removal process compared to conventional single-solvent approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite chemical system combining three types of compounds (polydentate ligands, chelating agents, and carboxylic acids) that work synergistically to dissolve barium sulfate scale much faster than any single solvent could achieve alone, reducing decontamination time from days to hours
3Productivity
If barium sulfate scale is left in place, then equipment remains operational, but heat transfer efficiency decreases and corrosive processes are facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scale removal methods with a chemical dissolution system that eliminates scale by converting it into soluble complexes, thereby preventing the harmful effects of scale accumulation (heat transfer interference and corrosion) while maintaining equipment operational status
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 composition successfully removes barium sulfate and radium sulfate deposits, providing a more efficient and cost-effective decontamination process compared to traditional methods, with the ability to create a stable coordination complex that captures radium and other alkaline earth cations, reducing radiation levels and equipment downtime.
Implementation Method 1
A composition is provided for the treatment of scaling and deposits due to naturally occurring radioactive material, said composition forming one or more attractants that preferentially attract radioactive elements over other alkaline earth cations. A composition is further provided wherein said attractants take the form of polydentate ligands with one or more central metal groups that act as carriers for radioactive elements.
Implementation Method 2
The provide composition comprises, one or more metallic salts, one or more chelating agents that act synergistically to aid in polydentate ligand formation and one or more carboxylic acids that enhance stabilization of coordination complexation in the formation of polydentate ligands
Data Source
AI summary
A composition is provided for the treatment of scaling and deposits due to naturally occurring radioactive material, said composition comprising one or more extractants that preferentially attract radioactive isotopes over other forms of alkaline earth cations A composition is further provided wherein said composition forms a polydentate ligand with one or more metals to act as carriers for radioactive elements. The composition comprises components that enhance stabilization of coordination complexation of the radioactive isotopes in the formation of polydentate ligands.