Polymeric Systems for High-Temperature Particle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional additives used to maintain particle suspension in subterranean formations, such as crosslinked or non-crosslinked polymers, decompose at temperatures above 150°C and form insoluble residues, making them unsuitable for high-temperature applications and prone to improper removal in oil extraction processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of polymeric systems comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers, specifically n-hexyl (meth)acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, and acrylamide, which are formulated into a powder form with a particle size of 5µm to 400µm, allowing for extended particle suspension times and stability at elevated temperatures through micellar polymerization, enabling effective hydration and suspension in high brine conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional additives (crosslinked or non-crosslinked polymers, polysaccharides) are used to maintain particle suspension, then particle suspension capability is improved, but the additives decompose at temperatures above 150°C and form insoluble residues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite polymer systems combining hydrophilic polymers (for suspension capability) with hydrophobic associating groups (for thermal stability). The hydrophobic groups aggregate to form physical crosslinks that maintain structural integrity at high temperatures while the hydrophilic portions maintain particle suspension capability, resolving the contradiction between suspension performance and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by introducing hydrophobic monomers (such as alkyl acrylates or alkyl methacrylates) with specific chain lengths into the polymer structure. This parameter modification enables the polymer to maintain stability at temperatures above 150°C while retaining particle suspension capability, directly addressing the thermal decomposition issue of conventional additives.
2Reliability
If conventional additives are used in high brine conditions, then particle suspension is maintained, but the additives decompose and form residues that cannot be properly removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating hydrophobic associating groups that create physical crosslinking networks. These networks prevent polymer decomposition in high brine conditions, eliminating insoluble residue formation while maintaining particle suspension stability throughout the treatment process.
3Temperature
If polymeric systems with hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers are used, then particle suspension is maintained at elevated temperatures, but the polymer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates composite polymer structures by combining hydrophilic backbone chains with hydrophobic side groups or blocks. This composite architecture provides thermal stability through hydrophobic aggregation while maintaining relative simplicity in the overall polymer structure, balancing elevated temperature performance with structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides polymeric systems useful for maintaining particle dispersions for extended periods of time.