Solid Filtrate Control Agents for Oil Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filtrate control agents for petroleum extraction face challenges such as high water content, storage and transport difficulties, frost sensitivity, and increased manufacturing costs, as well as inefficient use of crosslinking agents.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the reaction of a polymer with crosslinking agents under specific temperature and pressure conditions to form covalent bonds within the polymer particles in a solid form, resulting in crosslinked PVA or similar molecules that can be easily stored, transported, and formulated into solid form for use in petroleum extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If crosslinked PVA is produced in diluted aqueous solution form, then the polymer can be easily synthesized and processed, but the product occupies large storage volume and is sensitive to frost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the final product from liquid/diluted solution to solid form. This is achieved by controlling the crosslinking process and subsequent drying to produce solid particles or granules, thereby reducing storage volume and eliminating frost sensitivity while maintaining ease of manufacture through the crosslinking process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition from liquid aqueous solution to solid form through controlled drying and crosslinking. The crosslinked PVA transitions from a hydrated liquid state to a solid particulate form, which resolves the storage volume issue and frost sensitivity while preserving the synthetic ease of the original aqueous process
2Volume of moving object
If solvent is eliminated to solve storage and transport problems, then storage and transport become easier, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the solvent (water) from the crosslinked PVA system during the drying process, but does so in a controlled manner that produces solid particles. This extraction eliminates storage volume issues and frost sensitivity without requiring expensive alternative solvents or complex processing, thereby avoiding significant cost increases
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses water as a temporary, inexpensive solvent during synthesis and crosslinking, then completely removes it through drying. The water serves its purpose during manufacturing and is then discarded as vapor, leaving a solid product that requires no long-term solvent management infrastructure
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional crosslinking methods are used in aqueous medium, then the process is simple, but crosslinking agent efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the crosslinking process from liquid aqueous medium to solid-gas interface. The polymer is in solid particulate form and crosslinking occurs at the particle surface or within the solid matrix, which dramatically improves crosslinking agent efficiency by reducing dilution effects while maintaining process simplicity through straightforward heating
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 allows for the production of solid filtrate control agents that are easier to handle and store, require less crosslinking agents, and provide effective filtrate control with reduced impact on rheology, making them suitable for petroleum applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one crosslinking agent carrying at least two -R groups capable of reacting with -OH groups, amine or amide of said polymer under the conditions of step (E1) to form a covalent bond between the polymer and the crosslinking agent
Implementation Method 2
said step (E1) being carried out under temperature and pressure conditions where said polymer remains in solid form and where said crosslinking agent is at least partly (for example totally) in vapor form
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for preparing control agents for applications in the petroleum field, where a polymer bearing -OH, amine and/or amide functions, which is in the form of a divided solid, is reacted with at least one crosslinking agent bearing at least two -R groups capable of reacting with the -OH, amine or amide groups, under conditions where said polymer remains in solid form and where said crosslinking agent is at least partly in vapour form. The invention also relates to the control agents obtained in solid form according to this process, and also to the mixtures of these solid agents with other additives, which can be used in particular for the preparation of cement grout for oil extraction.