Polymer Viscosity Reducer for Water-Based Drilling Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing viscosity reducers for water-based drilling fluids face challenges such as limited temperature resistance, poor viscosity reduction efficiency, and environmental concerns due to the presence of sulfur elements and heavy metals.

Innovation Solution

A polymer viscosity reducer is developed using a formulation that includes water, acrylic acid, maleic anhydride, allyl polyethylene glycol, an initiator, a pH regulator, a diamine, and a saturated organic acid, which undergoes amidation, polymerization, and neutralization to create a polymer with enhanced viscosity reduction and temperature resistance properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional sulfonated tannins or sulfonated polymers containing sulfur element are used as viscosity reducers, then viscosity reduction effect is achieved, but environmental pollution and difficulty in waste discharge occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviscosity reduction effectVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by completely eliminating sulfur-containing compounds from the viscosity reducer formulation. Instead of using traditional sulfonated tannins or sulfonated polymers, the invention employs a polymer system based on polyacrylamide and its derivatives, which achieve the same viscosity reduction effect without introducing sulfur elements that cause environmental pollution and waste discharge difficulties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts biodegradable polymer materials that can be naturally decomposed, replacing persistent sulfur-containing compounds. The polyacrylamide-based viscosity reducers used in this invention break down more easily in the environment, reducing long-term pollution accumulation and making waste treatment more feasible compared to traditional sulfur-based additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If environmental-friendly treatment agents are used, then environmental protection is improved, but temperature resistance and viscosity reducing effect are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidtemperature resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite polymer systems combining polyacrylamide with other environmentally friendly polymer components to achieve both environmental protection and high temperature resistance. The synergistic effect of multiple polymer components allows the viscosity reducer to maintain its performance at high temperatures while remaining environmentally benign and free from sulfur-containing compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight, chain structure, and functional group composition of the polymer additives to enhance temperature resistance. By adjusting these parameters, the viscosity reducer maintains its effectiveness in high-temperature drilling environments while preserving environmental friendliness and avoiding sulfur-containing compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If polymer viscosity reducer is designed for high temperature resistance, then temperature stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops polymer viscosity reducers that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide viscosity reduction, maintain temperature stability, and ensure environmental compatibility. The polyacrylamide-based polymer system is designed to achieve these multiple objectives through its molecular structure and functional groups, eliminating the need for separate additives for each function and thereby simplifying the overall formulation despite the high performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 polymer viscosity reducer achieves a desirable viscosity-reducing effect, high temperature resistance, and a strong filter loss reduction effect, while being free from sulfur elements, making it safe and environmentally friendly for use in drilling fluids.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer could be adsorbed on a surface of each tiny particle and generate electrostatic repulsion to disperse the particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

The polymer could be adsorbed on a surface of each tiny particle and generate electrostatic repulsion to disperse the particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

improve the lubrication between the particles, weaken internal friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS12286583B1Polymer viscosity reducer for water-based drilling fluid and preparation method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.04.29 YANGTZE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Provided are a polymer viscosity reducer for a water-based drilling fluid and a preparation method thereof. The polymer viscosity reducer for the water-based drilling fluid is prepared from raw materials including, in parts by mass: 100 parts to 150 parts of water, 30 parts to 50 parts of acrylic acid, 10 parts to 20 parts of maleic anhydride, 40 parts to 60 parts of allyl polyethylene glycol, 3 parts to 6 parts of an initiator, 1 part to 3 parts of a pH regulator, 10 parts to 20 parts of a diamine, and 5 parts to 10 parts of a saturated organic acid.