Potassium Formate Slurry Flowability via Particle Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of manganomanganic oxide particles in drilling fluids is hindered by poor flow characteristics, leading to handling and logistical issues, and there is a need for environmentally friendly alternatives to oil-based drilling fluids that offer similar performance.

Innovation Solution

A stable potassium formate brine slurry containing manganomanganic oxide or ilmenite particles, with a dispersant and viscosifier, is developed to improve flowability and stability, allowing for easier handling and conversion into high-density drilling fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If manganomanganic oxide particles are used as weight agent in drilling fluids, then the density of drilling fluid is increased, but the flow characteristics of the particles deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity of drilling fluidVSAvoidflow characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The particles are pre-treated with a coating composition before use in drilling fluids. This preliminary coating action modifies the particle surface properties, preventing aggregation and improving flow characteristics while maintaining the high density required for drilling fluid applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A coating composition acts as an intermediary between the manganomanganic oxide particles and the drilling fluid medium. This coating layer improves particle-flow characteristics and prevents bridging in silos and handling systems, while the particles themselves retain their high density property.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If fine particles are used to increase drilling fluid density, then the density control is improved, but the handling and storage become difficult due to bridge formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity controlVSAvoidhandling and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coating composition serves as a mediator that prevents fine particles from forming bridges in silos and handling systems. The coating modifies surface properties to reduce inter-particle adhesion, enabling free flow while maintaining the fine particle size needed for precise density control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the particles are changed through coating treatment. This parameter change affects the flow behavior and handling characteristics, transforming the material from a bridging-prone state to a free-flowing state while preserving the particle density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If oil-based drilling fluids are used to achieve high penetration rate and stability, then the drilling performance is improved, but the environmental harm and disposal cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration rateVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base fluid of the drilling system is changed from oil-based to water-based formulation. This parameter change maintains the functional performance for high penetration rate while eliminating the environmental toxicity and disposal issues associated with oil-based fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the traditionally harmful oil-based system into a beneficial water-based system. By replacing the oil base with water and using appropriately coated particles, the system achieves similar drilling performance without the environmental harm, effectively turning a harmful approach into a beneficial one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 slurry provides improved flowability and long-term stability, facilitating easier handling and conversion into high-density drilling fluids, addressing logistical challenges and offering an environmentally friendly alternative to oil-based fluids.

Implementation Method 1

the slurry contains 0.05 to 0.5 wt% of a salt tolerant dispersant based on the weight of dry manganomanganic oxide particles and/or the ilmenite particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

A stable potassium formate brine slurry containing manganomanganic oxide or ilmenite particles, with a dispersant and viscosifier, is developed to improve flowability and stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosification:

Data Source

PatentEP3250657B1Potassium formate-based slurry for oil well drilling fluids

Publication Date: 2023.06.21 ELKEM

Figure 1

AI summary

A stable, non-settling KFo-based slurry of manganomanganic oxide particles and/or ilmenite particles, comprising: mixing together manganomanganic oxide particles and/or ilmenite particles, KFo brine and a dispersant, the dispersant representing 0.05 to 0.5 % based on the weight of the dry manganomanganic oxide particles and/or the dry ilmenite particles. The dispersant is selected from the group of co- or tri-polymers of acrylic acid and sulfonated monomers in acidic form or in salt form said dispersant having an average molecular weight of less than 20000 g/mol.