Water-Based Anionic Friction Reducer for Stable Slurry Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction reducing fluids, particularly oil-based ones, have disadvantages such as environmental impact, equipment requirements, and performance fluctuations, necessitating a more advantageous and environmentally friendly alternative.
Innovation Solution
A water-based anionic polyacrylamide friction reducer slurry is developed, utilizing a water-based suspension package that eliminates the need for mineral oil and surfactants, ensuring long-term stability and superior proppant suspension performance, while reducing capital equipment needs and eliminating downtime due to powder handling issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil-based friction reducing fluids are used, then friction reduction performance is achieved, but environmental impact worsens and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the base fluid parameter from oil-based to water-based formulation, transforming the friction reducing fluid into an environmentally friendly alternative while maintaining performance through adjusted chemical composition including anionic polymers and corrosion inhibitors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful oil-based formulation into a beneficial water-based system, where water serves as the base fluid and harmful components like mineral oils and surfactants are eliminated, turning an environmental liability into an eco-friendly solution
2Reliability
If dry powder friction reducers are used, then friction reduction is achieved, but equipment complexity and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers the friction reducing polymer in water-based liquid or slurry form that can be pumped through standard hydraulic systems, eliminating the need for complex pneumatic powder delivery equipment and allowing direct injection into flow lines
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of delivering dry powder that requires special handling equipment and conversion to slurry, the patent inverts the approach by delivering the final water-based polymer solution ready for direct use, eliminating intermediate handling steps and equipment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based friction reducers are used, then environmental friendliness improves, but stability and performance consistency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite water-based formulation combining anionic polymers, corrosion inhibitors, and friction reducing agents in a stable emulsion or slurry that maintains composition consistency and performance over extended storage periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary stabilization by formulating the water-based polymer solution with appropriate pH control, dispersants, and stabilizers during manufacturing, ensuring long-term stability and performance consistency before field deployment
4Ease of operation
If mineral oil and surfactants are used in friction reducers, then fluid delivery is achieved, but cost consistency and performance reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates mineral oil and surfactants from the friction reducing fluid formulation, replacing them with water-based polymers that provide equivalent or superior performance without the variability and environmental issues associated with traditional additives
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 water-based FRL achieves superior friction reduction performance compared to oil-based counterparts, offers consistent pricing, and reduces environmental impact, with applications in drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and water treatment, while minimizing capital costs and equipment footprint.
Implementation Method 1
A friction reducing liquid (FRL) has many different uses. It can be used in drilling, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, workover and production operations.
Implementation Method 2
The water-based FRL has superior proppant suspension performance
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for manufacturing and using a water-based friction reducer. The anionic water-based friction reducer is environmentally friendly. It results in long term stability with no separation or solid sediments. It is also less expensive than oil-based friction reducing liquids. The water-based friction reducing liquid has water, a suspension polymer, an inorganic salt, an amide, and a dispersant. The water-based friction reducing liquid can replace oil-based friction reducing liquids.