Proppant Wettability Measurement Using 3D-Printed Vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for measuring the wettability of fracturing proppants are rudimentary and inaccurate, making it difficult to compare the wettability performance of proppant samples within a wettability category and affecting fluid recovery in hydraulic fracturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A wettability measurement system that includes a 3D-printed vessel with a specific design for leveling and positioning proppant samples, using a droplet of deionized water or hydrocarbon to assess contact angles and calculate wettability indices, providing precise and direct wettability assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional rudimentary methods (naked eye examination or capillary rise method) are used to measure wettability, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is poor and cannot accurately compare wettability performance within a category
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical observation methods (naked eye, capillary rise) with an automated image capture and analysis system. The system uses a camera to capture images of water droplets on proppant surfaces and automatically calculates contact angles through image processing, eliminating subjective visual assessment and achieving precise quantitative measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging system between the proppant sample and the measurement result. Instead of directly observing or measuring wettability properties, the system captures images of water droplets on the proppant surface and uses image analysis to derive contact angle data, providing an indirect but highly accurate measurement pathway.
2Area of stationary object
If a larger vessel is used to contain the proppant sample, then the proppant surface area is increased, but wall effects increase and interfere with accurate wettability measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a controlled local measurement environment within the vessel. The system focuses the water droplet application and image capture on a specific localized area of the proppant surface, ensuring that measurements are taken in regions远离 vessel walls to avoid wall effects while maintaining sufficient proppant surface area for representative sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement process from the bulk vessel environment by positioning the water droplet application and image capture system to focus on a specific localized region of the proppant surface. This separates the measurement zone from the vessel walls, eliminating wall effects while maintaining adequate proppant surface area for accurate measurement.
3Measurement precision
If the proppant surface is not leveled, then the measurement process is simpler, but the contact angle measurement accuracy decreases due to uneven surface geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a leveling step in the sample preparation process. Before conducting wettability measurements, the system levels the proppant surface using a flat pressing mechanism, ensuring that the surface is horizontally aligned. This preliminary preparation eliminates measurement errors due to surface tilt while maintaining overall operational simplicity.
4Measurement precision
If more time is allowed for wettability measurement, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual observation and analysis with automated image capture and computer-based image processing. The system quickly captures images of water droplets on proppant surfaces and automatically calculates contact angles through digital analysis, achieving high-precision measurements in seconds rather than minutes or hours, thereby significantly improving measurement throughput.
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
Enables accurate and efficient wettability measurements of fracturing proppants, improving fluid recovery by allowing for better classification and comparison of wettability performance, reducing measurement time, and minimizing wall effects.
Implementation Method 1
The dropping needle of the wettability measurement system applies a droplet of deionized water or a hydrocarbon onto the proppant surface. The wettability measurement system captures an image of the droplet contacting the proppant sample to provide a wettability assessment of the proppant sample.
Implementation Method 2
A flat surface of the wettability measurement system applies pressure on a proppant surface of the proppant sample, such that the proppant surface is level.
Implementation Method 3
The wettability measurement system determines a contact angle of the droplet and the proppant sample based on the image. The wettability assessment is based on the contact angle.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for analytical wettability assessment of fracturing proppants for improving fluid recovery are disclosed. Embodiments include determining, for a proppant sample, a first value related to an oil-wet index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, for the proppant sample, a second value related to a water-wet index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, for the proppant sample based on the first value and the second value, a third value related to a wettability index of the proppant sample. Embodiments further include determining, based on the third value, a wetting characteristic of the proppant sample. Other embodiments may be described.