Polymer Dissolution Installation for Enhanced Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enhanced oil recovery using water-soluble polymers face challenges such as degradation and the need for large maturation/dissolution tanks, as well as costly filtration processes, especially when dealing with high molecular weight polymers like acrylamide and methacrylamide, which are sensitive to oxygen and result in inefficient polymer dispersion and viscosity reduction.
Innovation Solution
An installation comprising a storage hopper, grinding device with a wetting cone and rotor-stator assembly, and dissolution/maturation tank, which allows for high concentration polymer dispersion without external oxygen input and subsequent filtration, using pressurized secondary water to prevent clogging and maintain polymer molecular weight, followed by a maturation tank for complete dissolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high molecular weight polymer is used to increase viscosity, then the viscosifying properties are improved, but the polymer becomes more sensitive to degradation and requires larger dissolution tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by conducting the polymer dissolution process under nitrogen coverage, which excludes oxygen from the environment. This prevents oxidative degradation of the high molecular weight polymer chains, maintaining their viscosifying properties and molecular weight while allowing the use of larger polymers that would otherwise be unstable in air-exposed environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dissolving the polymer in a controlled environment with nitrogen coverage before injection into the well. This preliminary dissolution under protected conditions ensures the polymer maintains its integrity and desired properties, avoiding degradation that would occur if dissolved in air-exposed environments.
2Manufacturing precision
If polymer concentration in solution is increased to reduce aggregation, then the dispersion quality is improved, but the dissolution time increases and tank size must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the dissolution conditions - specifically using nitrogen atmosphere to prevent degradation, which allows higher polymer concentrations to be maintained without aggregation. This enables better dispersion quality at higher concentrations while the controlled environment accelerates the dissolution process.
3Loss of substance
If filtration is applied to remove fisheyes, then the solution purity is improved, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of polymer aggregation and fisheyes into a benefit by using nitrogen atmosphere to prevent their formation in the first place. By creating an inert environment during dissolution, the harmful aggregation that would require filtration is prevented from occurring, thereby eliminating the need for complex filtration systems while maintaining solution purity.
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 solution enables the efficient dispersion and dissolution of high molecular weight polymers in a shorter time, reducing the size of dissolution tanks and eliminating the need for filtration, while maintaining polymer stability and achieving the required viscosity for enhanced oil recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a grinding device for dispersing the polymer
Implementation Method 2
They are generally used in dilute aqueous solution for industrial applications
Implementation Method 3
improving enhanced oil recovery by injection in solution. This method consists in flooding/sweeping the oil field using a water injection more or less saline, also called 'brine', in which the polymer is dissolved to viscosity it
Data Source
AI summary
Installation for enhanced oil recovery comprising in succession: a polymer storage hopper, a grinding device, a dissolution/maturation tank for the dispersed polymer, and a pump for transferring pressurized polymer solution in the pipeline conveying the injection water for introducing the mixture of polymer and injection water into a well. The grinding device has a chamber for grinding and draining the dispersed polymer comprising a rotor and a stator, and on all or part of the periphery of the chamber, a ring fed by a secondary water circuit. The ring communicates with the chamber for spraying of pressurized water on the blades of the stator. A method implementing the installation is also provided.