Rare Earth Phosphor Tagging for Fracking Sand Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack an on-site solution for tracking the transport of materials introduced to or produced from subterranean formations during hydrocarbon recovery, particularly in hydraulic fracturing, which poses environmental and health risks due to the potential contamination of groundwater by fracking fluids containing hazardous chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a mixture of carboxylated acid-coated particles conjugated to rare earth particles, which form a covalent amide bond with an activated amine terminated polymer, allowing for the tagging and tracking of fracking sand and other materials within the subterranean formation, utilizing unique optical properties for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional fracking materials are used without tagging, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but tracking and monitoring of material transport is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating phosphors that emit visible light at specific wavelengths when excited by UV or blue light. Different phosphors produce different colors, enabling visual tracking and identification of tagged materials in the subterranean formation without complex electronic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses phosphors as intermediary substances that can be introduced into the fracking fluid or proppant. These phosphors act as mediators that carry tracking information through the subsurface environment and can be detected at the surface, bridging the gap between injection and monitoring points
2Reliability
If phosphors are introduced into the subterranean formation, then material tracking becomes possible, but the complexity of introducing and detecting phosphors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by using phosphors that can be incorporated into multiple types of fracking materials (fluids, proppant, chemicals) and detected using a single type of detector responsive to phosphor emission. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliable tracking across different materials and zones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by using phosphors that replicate the flow paths and distribution patterns of the fracking materials. The phosphors create a detectable copy or trace of the material transport, allowing indirect observation of material movement without directly monitoring the materials themselves
3Measurement precision
If multiple phosphors are used to track different materials, then tracking precision improves, but the complexity of phosphor selection and detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different phosphors with distinct emission characteristics to different materials, zones, or injection points. Each phosphor provides localized tracking information specific to its assignment, enabling precise identification of material sources and pathways without requiring complex differentiation at the detection stage
4Object-affected harmful factors
If phosphors are used to track fracking materials, then environmental monitoring capability is enhanced, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic tracking systems with a simpler optical system based on phosphor emission. Detectors responsive to phosphor wavelengths provide environmental monitoring capability through optical signals rather than complex mechanical sensors, reducing system complexity while enhancing monitoring effectiveness
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 rapid and large-scale tagging of proppant sand, allowing for real-time monitoring and tracing of materials downhole, enhancing environmental safety and operational efficiency by identifying the source of fluids and materials, thereby mitigating groundwater contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
A covalent amide bond is then formed by allowing the at least one activated amine terminated polymer to react to the carboxylic acid-coated rare earth particle
Implementation Method 2
utilizing unique optical properties for identification
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a process for on- and off-site tagging of fracking sand and a composition of matter capable of being utilized in that process. The composition of matter includes a linker polymer conjugated to a rare earth particle. The method involves forming two mixtures, a first involving mixing a linker polymer conjugated to a rare earth particle into an aqueous blend of fracking sand, and a second involving an activated amine terminated polymer in an aqueous solution. The second mixture is then added to the first mixture, and covalent amide bonds are formed.