Ultrasonic Breaking of Polymer Fluids for Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The robust nature of polymers used in drilling and drill-in fluids makes it challenging to break them effectively using chemical breakers, especially at the surface without high temperatures and pressures, which hinders the recycling and reuse of these fluids.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sonicating polymer-containing treatment fluids using ultrasonic waves to reduce viscosity and suspension properties, allowing for the separation of base fluids from solids, and potentially combining this with chemical breakers and thermal or pressure treatments to enhance the breaking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If chemical breakers are used to break polymer-containing fluids, then the viscosity reduction is achieved, but the effectiveness is insufficient especially at surface conditions without high temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic vibration (mechanical vibration) to break polymer chains in treatment fluids. The ultrasonic device generates high-frequency vibrations that physically disrupt polymer structures, reducing viscosity and enabling effective breaking of robust polymers at surface conditions without requiring high temperatures or pressures, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of breaking and effectiveness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If robust polymers are used to provide stability under extreme conditions, then the fluid stability is improved, but the difficulty of breaking the polymers increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic vibration provides a straightforward mechanical method to break robust polymers that have been designed for stability under extreme conditions. The high-frequency mechanical energy directly disrupts polymer chains, reducing the complexity of the breaking process while maintaining the ability to handle stable, robust polymer formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex chemical breaking systems with a simpler mechanical ultrasonic vibration system. Instead of relying on complex chemical reactions that require specific conditions (temperature, pressure), the mechanical ultrasonic energy directly breaks polymer bonds, simplifying the overall breaking process while effectively handling stable polymers.
3Ease of operation
If chemical breakers are used without high temperatures and pressures, then the surface operation is simplified, but the breaking effectiveness of robust polymers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Ultrasonic vibration enables effective polymer breaking at surface conditions without requiring high temperatures or pressures. The mechanical energy from ultrasonic waves directly disrupts polymer chains, maintaining breaking effectiveness while simplifying surface operations and eliminating the need for complex thermal or pressure management systems.
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 effectively reduces the viscosity and suspension properties of polymer-containing fluids, enabling the efficient separation and recycling of base fluids, which can be reused in subterranean formations, improving fluid management and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
sonicating at least a portion of the treatment fluid with an ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 2
sonicating at least a portion of the treatment fluid with an ultrasonic wave to at least partially reduce the viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for breaking polymer-containing treatment fluids for use in subterranean formations are provided. In one or more embodiments, the methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a polymer, wherein the treatment fluid was used to treat at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and sonicating at least a portion of the treatment fluid to at least partially reduce the viscosity of the treatment fluid.