Solid AMPS Salt in Polyacrylamide Emulsions for Low Water Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyacrylamide-based emulsions used in the oil and gas industry underperform in high brine content fracking fluids due to high water concentrations, which limit the active components and reduce their effectiveness when using traditional AMPS monomers.
Innovation Solution
The use of solid AMPS salt in the polymer backbone of emulsion systems, dissolved in a 50% acrylamide solution, reduces the total water content and increases the polymer concentration, enhancing the brine tolerance and performance of the emulsions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional AMPS monomers are used in emulsion polymerization, then the emulsion can be formed with standard water content, but the water concentration remains high (above 31%) which reduces polymer concentration and limits active components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of AMPS from liquid/aqueous solution to solid salt form. This parameter change allows the AMPS to be incorporated into the polymer backbone without introducing additional water, thereby reducing water concentration below 31% while maintaining polymer concentration above 35%, which directly improves emulsion performance in high brine environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite emulsion system combining polyacrylamide polymer with solid AMPS salt incorporated into the polymer backbone. This composite structure allows the emulsion to achieve both high polymer concentration and low water concentration simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between water content reduction and performance reliability
2Quantity of substance
If water content is reduced to improve polymer concentration, then active components increase, but the emulsion formulation becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-dissolving solid AMPS salt in a minimal amount of water or organic solvent before incorporating it into the emulsion polymerization system. This preliminary step ensures uniform distribution and controlled incorporation of AMPS into the polymer backbone, making the formulation process more controllable even at reduced water concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (such as a small amount of organic solvent or pre-dissolved AMPS solution) to facilitate the incorporation of solid AMPS salt into the emulsion system. This intermediary allows for controlled mixing and uniform distribution without requiring high water content, thereby maintaining formulation ease while achieving high polymer concentration
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
This approach results in emulsions with polymer concentrations above 35% and water concentrations below 31%, significantly improving their performance and efficiency in high brine environments compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
dissolved in a 50% acrylamide solution, forming a monomer solution
Implementation Method 2
emulsification of the monomer solution including AMPS with the oil phase forms the emulsion system
Implementation Method 3
polymerization of said monomers
Data Source
AI summary
A polyacrylamide-based AMPS (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) copolymer or terpolymer emulsion system may comprise 5-50% solid AMPS salt by weight of a polymer backbone in an emulsion polymerization, wherein use of solid AMPS salt reduces a total amount of water in the emulsion system. The polymer concentration may be above 35% by weight and the water concentration is below 31% by weight. Solid AMPS salt may be dissolved in acrylamide 50% solution, either with or without monomers, to control the total amount of water in an emulsion that may be formed, particularly to lower the water concentration. Use of solid AMPS salt dissolved in acrylamide 50% solution may introduce the AMPS monomer into an emulsion system without requiring addition of extra water. This may improve performance on the polymer backbone as well as the finished emulsion system.