Polymer Monodispersed Nano-Microspheres for Deep Profile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing polymer microspheres for deep profile control and flooding in oil reservoirs are costly, environmentally harsh, and require initiators, cross-linking agents, and emulsifiers, making them inefficient and unsustainable.
Innovation Solution
The development of polymer-monodispersed nano-microspheres formed through supramolecular hydrogen bonding between straight-chain water-soluble polymers with ethyl or propyl ether structures and polyhydroxyl or polyphenolic polymers, eliminating the need for initiators, cross-linking agents, and emulsifiers, and using oxygen scavengers to create a stable, controllable nano-microsphere dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional inverse emulsion polymerization is used to prepare polymer microspheres, then polymer microspheres can be obtained with functional groups for profile control, but the process requires initiators, cross-linking agents, and emulsifiers which increases cost and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful chemical components (initiators, cross-linking agents, and emulsifiers) from the polymer microsphere preparation process. By using a physical gelation method where gelatin and sodium alginate form microspheres through ionic crosslinking with calcium chloride, the process eliminates these harmful substances while maintaining the functional properties of the microspheres for profile control and flooding applications.
2Reliability
If conventional polymer microsphere preparation methods are used, then functional polymer microspheres can be synthesized, but the process is costly and environmentally harsh
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the preparation process from chemical polymerization to physical gelation. By controlling parameters such as the concentration of gelatin and sodium alginate, the pH value, and the calcium chloride concentration, the process achieves reliable functional microspheres with controlled size and morphology without using harmful chemicals, thus reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance.
3Productivity
If polymer microspheres are prepared using traditional methods, then the microspheres can be produced, but the process requires multiple chemical agents increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a simplified process. The gelatin-sodium alginate system performs both structural formation and functional properties in one step, eliminating the need for separate stages of polymerization, crosslinking, and emulsification. This consolidation reduces process complexity and improves production efficiency while maintaining microsphere quality.
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 method enables efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly production of nano-microspheres with improved seepage in porous media, enhancing oil recovery rates and offering broad industrial application prospects with reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous solutions of the macromolecules A and the macromolecules B generate a strong supramolecular hydrogen bonding effect instantaneously in the mixing process, and the macromolecules A and the macromolecules B are intermolecularly assembled under the drive of extremely strong hydrogen bonds
Data Source
AI summary
Polymer-monodispersed nano-microspheres for deep profile control and flooding. The polymer-monodispersed nano-microspheres comprise (% wt.): 0.05 to 2.5% of macromolecules A, 0.05 to 2.5% of macromolecules B, 0.002 to 0.05% of an oxygen scavenger, and mineralized water. Macromolecules A comprise a straight-chain water-soluble polymer with an ethyl ether or propyl ether structure. Macromolecules B comprise a water-soluble polymer with a hydroxyl or polyphenolic structure. Macromolecules A and macromolecules B are intermolecularly assembled under the drive of extremely strong hydrogen bonds in aqueous solutions to rapidly construct monodispersed nano-microsphere dispersion glue with a controllable size. The monodispersed nano-microspheres have a good seepage in a porous medium and excellent deep profile control and flooding capabilities.