Sliding-Ring Polymer Cement Additives for Microcrack Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polymeric additives for cement in wellbore cementing fail to effectively distribute stress and resist microcrack propagation under downhole conditions, leading to mechanical property deterioration and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

The use of sliding-ring polymers incorporating polyrotaxanes as cement additives, which provide movable cross-links that facilitate stress dispersion and restrict microcrack propagation, improving the mechanical properties of set cement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional polymeric additives are used in cement, then the cement can be formulated with standard materials, but the stress distribution and microcrack resistance are insufficient leading to mechanical property deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertyVSAvoidstress distribution capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sliding-ring polymers as a composite material additive in cement formulations. These polymers contain movable cross-links that can slide along polymer chains, creating a composite structure that combines the rigidity of cement with the flexibility and stress-distributing capability of the sliding-ring polymer network, thereby improving both strength and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic movable cross-links in the form of sliding-ring polymers that can move and slide along the polymer chains under stress. This dynamic structure allows the material to adapt to applied stresses by redistributing forces through the sliding mechanism, preventing stress concentration and microcrack formation, thus improving mechanical property reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional polymeric additives are used in cement, then the formulation process is simple, but microcrack propagation resistance is insufficient under downhole conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidmicrocrack propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding-ring polymer additive creates a composite material system where the unique sliding-ring structure provides microcrack resistance while maintaining ease of formulation. The polymer chains with movable cross-links act as a network that can absorb and dissipate crack propagation energy, preventing microcrack growth under downhole conditions without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If sliding-ring polymers are used to improve stress distribution, then mechanical property reliability improves, but the polymer structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress distribution capabilityVSAvoidpolymer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding-ring polymer structure, while more complex than conventional polymers, introduces dynamic functionality through movable cross-links that can slide along the chains. This dynamic structure enables superior stress distribution and reliability improvement, with the added complexity justified by the significant enhancement in mechanical property performance under stress conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11230497B2Cement additives

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A cement composition and set cement including cement and a sliding-ring polymer. A system and method of applying the cement composition.