Polymer Removal from Subterranean Treatment Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subterranean treatment fluids, such as drilling and drill-in fluids, contain stable polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone that are difficult to remove after use, leading to increased viscosity and turbidity, which hinders fluid recycling and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of a precipitant to the treatment fluid to form a precipitate with the polymers, followed by separation, which breaks the polymers into smaller units and allows for their removal, utilizing techniques like sonication, cavitation, or chemical breakers, and subsequent separation of the precipitate from the aqueous base fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stable polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone are added to treatment fluids to improve stability under extreme subterranean conditions, then the fluid stability and performance are improved, but the polymer becomes difficult to remove after use, leading to increased viscosity and turbidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding a precipitant to the treatment fluid before the polymer stability becomes problematic. The precipitant pre-treats the polymer by forming a precipitate with it, making the polymer removable afterward. This preliminary chemical intervention enables subsequent separation through filtration or decantation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining polymer stability and enabling easy removal.
2Productivity
If polymers are added to provide viscosity and suspension properties, then the ability to remove cuttings and suspend particles is improved, but the fluid viscosity increases making recycling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the chemical state of the polymer through precipitant addition. This causes the polymer to transition from a dissolved state (providing viscosity and suspension) to a precipitated state (easy to separate). By changing the physical-chemical parameters of the polymer, the system achieves both effective cuttings removal during operation and simplified recycling after use.
3Reliability
If polymers are used to improve fluid loss control and suspension, then the treatment fluid performance is enhanced, but the fluid becomes more turbulent and harder to separate after use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by using a precipitant to selectively bind with and extract the polymer from the treatment fluid. The precipitant pulls the polymer out of solution and forms a separate precipitate phase, which can then be removed through filtration or decantation. This extraction process eliminates the harmful effects of polymer turbidity while preserving the base fluid for recycling.
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 effectively reduces the viscosity and turbidity of the treatment fluids, enabling partial recycling and reuse of the fluids by breaking down polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone, allowing for more efficient subterranean treatment operations.
Implementation Method 1
adding a precipitant to the treatment fluid to form a precipitate with at least a portion of the polymer
Implementation Method 2
breaking the polymers into smaller units and allows for their removal, utilizing techniques like sonication, cavitation, or chemical breakers
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for removing polymers from treatment fluids for use in subterranean formations are provided. In one or more embodiments, the methods include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a polymer comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone or a derivative thereof; and adding a precipitant to the treatment fluid to form a precipitate with at least a portion of the polymer.