Stable Biocide Composition for Oil Field Biofilm Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in the oil and gas industry, particularly biofilm growth on metal surfaces, are inefficient due to the dynamic nature of biofilms and the high concentrations of corrosive chemical biocides required, which increase costs and pose additional corrosion risks.

Innovation Solution

A composition combining a phosphonium sulphate salt biocide with a quaternary amine salt biocide, along with a stabilizing agent like an alkyl trimethyl ammonium compound, is used to create a single-phase solution that effectively prevents and inhibits biofilm growth in industrial systems, such as oil field applications, by enhancing compatibility and efficacy over a wider range of microorganisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high concentrations of chemical biocides are used to control biofilm growth, then biofilm removal effectiveness is improved, but corrosion risk and treatment cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofilm removal effectivenessVSAvoidcorrosion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple biocides with different mechanisms of action (oxidizing biocide, non-oxidizing biocide, and quaternary amine) into a single composition. This synergistic combination allows each biocide to target different aspects of biofilm control, achieving effective biofilm removal at lower overall concentrations, thereby reducing corrosion risk while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite biocide formulation containing multiple active ingredients (oxidizing biocide, non-oxidizing biocide, quaternary amine) working together. This composite approach leverages the strengths of each component to achieve superior biofilm control with reduced individual chemical concentrations, minimizing corrosive effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high concentrations of chemical biocides are used to control biofilm growth, then biofilm removal effectiveness is improved, but treatment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofilm removal effectivenessVSAvoidbiocide concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple biocides with different mechanisms of action (oxidizing biocide, non-oxidizing biocide, and quaternary amine) into a single composition. This synergistic combination allows each biocide to target different aspects of biofilm control, achieving effective biofilm removal at lower overall concentrations, thereby reducing corrosion risk while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing multiple biocide types with different mechanisms of action. This parameter change enables the system to achieve the same or better biofilm control effectiveness at lower total biocide concentrations, reducing both cost and corrosiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If quaternary amines are used alone at reasonable concentrations, then cost is reduced, but effectiveness against microorganisms attached to metal surfaces decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiocide concentrationVSAvoidbiofilm control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple biocides with different mechanisms of action (oxidizing biocide, non-oxidizing biocide, and quaternary amine) into a single composition. This synergistic combination allows each biocide to target different aspects of biofilm control, achieving effective biofilm removal at lower overall concentrations, thereby reducing corrosion risk while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9750258B2Stable composition for controlling biological growth and method for using same in oil field applications

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 ARXADA LLC

AI summary

A stabilized composition is disclosed which contains at least two biocides, particularly at least two non-oxidizing biocides. In one embodiment, the composition contains a phosphonium sulfate compound combined with a dialkyl dimethyl quaternary amine compound. In order to stabilize the composition, an alkyl trimethyl ammonium compound is added to the composition. In one embodiment, the stabilizing agent produces a single phase composition. With the aid of the stabilizing agent, the single phase concentrated compositions can be produced that can later be diluted for use. In one embodiment, the composition may be used to treat aqueous systems in industrial applications.