Thermoplastic Elastomer Profile Control Water Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil field chemical water shutoff and profile control agents face challenges such as complex preparation processes, use of toxic and flammable raw materials, high production costs, and limited environmental sustainability, which hinder efficient water management in oil wells with high water cut rates.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic elastomer is developed for profile control and water shutoff, prepared using a simplified method involving components like polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl methyl ether, and copolymers, with a hydrophobic modifier and strong acid, allowing for one-step modification-crosslinking-granulation, reducing production costs and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional thermoplastic elastomer materials are used in block form requiring granulation process, then the material can achieve desired mechanical properties, but the preparation process becomes complex with multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines modification, crosslinking, and granulation into a single integrated reaction process. The thermoplastic elastomer particles are formed directly during the modification-crosslinking reaction in one step, eliminating the need for separate granulation operations and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it modifies the polymer structure, creates crosslinks for desired properties, and forms granulated particles all in one process. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate sequential operations.
2Reliability
If complex preparation processes with multiple steps are used, then the thermoplastic elastomer can achieve required performance, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging modification, crosslinking, and granulation into one simultaneous process, the patent reduces the number of production steps, decreases processing time, and lowers overall production costs while maintaining the required elastomer performance characteristics.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional polymerization methods are used, then the polymer can be synthesized, but the process becomes violently exothermic and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by using a two-stage process: first performing modification at controlled conditions, then adding crosslinking agents under controlled conditions. This parameter control prevents violent exothermic reactions while achieving complete polymer synthesis and crosslinking.
4Ease of manufacture
If wide molecular weight distribution is produced, then the polymerization is easier to conduct, but the product quality and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controlled polymerization parameters including specific catalysts, temperature control, and staged addition of monomers to achieve narrow molecular weight distribution. This produces more uniform polymer chains with consistent properties while maintaining ease of manufacture through well-defined process parameters.
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 thermoplastic elastomer exhibits strong deformation ability, temperature resistance, salt tolerance, and long-term stability, simplifying the preparation process and reducing costs, while enhancing oil reservoir recovery and water flooding efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible polymer particle can effectively adapt to the pore change of an oil stratum under the conditions higher than the critical pressure difference, and deforms itself through the formation throat
Implementation Method 2
A thermoplastic elastomer is developed for profile control and water shutoff, prepared using a simplified method involving components like polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl methyl ether, and copolymers, with a hydrophobic modifier and strong acid
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoplastic elastomer for profile control and water shutoff is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 8-10 parts of a component A, 1-3 parts of a strong acid, 1-3 parts of a hydrophobic modifier and 100-105 parts of water. The component A is one of polyethylene glycol, polyvinylether, polyvinyl alcohol, copolymer of acrylamide and acrylonitrile. The strong acid is one of concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid. The hydrophobic modifier is any one of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, methyltriacetylsilane, methyltrimethylsilane, butyl acrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The thermoplastic elastomer for profile control and water shutoff provided by the disclosure has the advantages of one-step preparation and molding, strong deformation capability, temperature resistance, salt tolerance, strong stability and the like, and is suitable for large-scale production and application.