Sacrificial Material for Oxidizing Agent Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of excess oxidizing agents, such as biocides, in water used in oilfield operations leads to corrosion of equipment, particularly in fracturing operations, where large containment ponds are required to handle the high volume of water, resulting in increased corrosion risks and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving a tank system where the aqueous fluid containing oxidizing agents is exposed to a sacrificial corrodible material (SMC) that oxidizes in the presence of these agents, reducing their concentration through an oxidation-reduction reaction, with pH adjustment and agitation to enhance the reaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxidizing agents (biocides) are used to treat water and kill bacteria, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but equipment corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sacrificial material as an intermediary substance that preferentially reacts with the oxidizing agents. This mediator absorbs the harmful oxidation effect, protecting the actual equipment from corrosion while maintaining the biocidal effectiveness of the water treatment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial material is designed to be consumable and replaceable, acting as a disposable protective element. Once the sacrificial material is depleted, it is replaced with fresh material, providing continuous protection against corrosion while allowing the oxidizing agents to remain effective for bacterial control.
2Quantity of substance
If large containment ponds are used to handle high volume water in fracturing operations, then water volume is accommodated, but corrosion risks and equipment damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial material serves as a protective intermediary placed within the containment system, absorbing the corrosive action of oxidizing agents from the large volume of water, thereby protecting equipment while accommodating high water volumes in fracturing operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sacrificial material is used to reduce oxidizing agents, then equipment corrosion is minimized, but the sacrificial material is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial material is designed as a consumable component that is intentionally depleted to protect more valuable equipment. Once consumed, it is replaced with fresh material, accepting the loss as a necessary cost for equipment protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumption of the sacrificial material is framed as a beneficial trade-off, where the 'loss' of this inexpensive material converts the harmful effect of oxidizing agents into a protected state, preserving expensive equipment while managing the consumption of the protective sacrificial substance.
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 process effectively reduces the concentration of oxidizing agents in the aqueous fluid, minimizing equipment corrosion and extending the life of oilfield equipment by ensuring the oxidizing agents react with the SMC rather than the equipment, thereby protecting iron and other metal surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
contacting, within the chamber, the aqueous fluid with a sacrificial material which reduces the oxidizing agent
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment apparatus, system and method including introducing an aqueous fluid into a chamber, the aqueous fluid having a pH below 7 and having an oxidizing agent. Contacting, within the chamber, the aqueous fluid with a corrodible sacrificial material which oxidizes in the presence of the oxidizing agent also reducing the oxidizing agent. Thereafter, adjusting, subsequent contacting the corroding particulate, the pH of the aqueous fluid to above 7.