# US 10,308,864 B2 · Core-shell triggered release systems

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- Number: US 10,308,864 B2
- Document ID: US10308864B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/975,205
- Filed: 2018-05-09
- Published: 2018-09-13
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-13
- Assignees: Research Triangle Institute
- Applicants: Research Triangle Institute
- Inventors: Ginger D. Rothrock; Leah Marie Johnson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308864B2

## CPC

- C09K 8/588: characterised by the use of specific polymers {(polymeric surfactants C09K8/584)}
- B01J 13/14: Polymerisation; cross-linking
- C09K 8/03: Specific additives for general use in well-drilling compositions
- C09K 8/516: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. encapsulated material
- C09K 8/536: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. encapsulated material
- C09K 8/58: Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K 8/584: characterised by the use of specific surfactants
- C09K 8/70: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. foams
- C09K 8/92: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. encapsulated material (C09K8/70 takes precedence)
- E21B 43/16: Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- B82Y 40/00: Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
- C09K 2208/10: Nanoparticle-containing well treatment fluids
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to delivery and release systems, such as core-shell particles. An exemplary composition according to the disclosure can include a carrier element forming an outer shell that defines an inner core. The core can include a reactive agent that is adapted to react with the shell, particularly at an inner interface of the shell with the core materials. The reaction can provide an inside-out degradation of the shell and release of one or more materials therein. The reactive agent may be separated from the shell, such as using a phase change material (PCM). Upon reaching specific environmental conditions, the PCM can change so as the release the reactive agent for reaction with the shell. The systems can be used in various methods to deliver a material to various environments, including underground reservoirs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A delivery and release system comprising a particle comprising:
a carrier element forming an outer shell;
a releasable material positioned within and surrounded by the outer shell; and
a reactive agent positioned within and surrounded by the outer shell,
wherein the reactive agent is configured to react with the carrier element when the external environment exhibits specified conditions to thereby change at least a portion of the outer shell so as to cause at least a portion of the releasable material to be released from the carrier element and be in fluid communication with the external environment; and
wherein the reactive agent is configured to react with the carrier element and degrade at least a portion of the outer shell via inside-out degradation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The delivery and release system according to claim 1, wherein the reactive agent is configured to react one or both of physically and chemically with the carrier element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The delivery and release system according to claim 1, wherein the particle comprises a phase change material (“PCM”).

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The delivery and release system according to claim 3, wherein the PCM is configured to be a solid up to a temperature of about 40° C. and is configured to be a liquid at temperatures greater than about 40° C.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The delivery and release system according to claim 3, wherein the specified conditions of the external environment are conditions in a subterranean reservoir, and wherein the PCM is adapted to transition between solid and liquid states or between liquid and vapor states in response to one or more of the specified conditions in the subterranean reservoir.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The delivery and release system according to claim 5, wherein the PCM is configured to substantially isolate the reactive agent from reacting with the carrier element until the particle is subjected to the one or more of the specified conditions in the subterranean reservoir.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The delivery and release system according to claim 1, wherein the particle comprises a releasable material positioned within the inner core and selected from the group consisting of sensors, probes, markers, materials reactive with one or more components of the reservoir, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The delivery and release system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the delivery and release system is in a form of nanoparticles.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The delivery and release system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the delivery and release system is in a form of solid lipid nanoparticles.

### Claim 10

A delivery and release system comprising a particle comprising:
a carrier element forming an outer shell, the carrier element comprising a polymeric material that includes crosslinks configured for degradation upon reaction with the reactive agent;
a releasable material positioned within and surrounded by the outer shell; and
a reactive agent positioned within and surrounded by the outer shell,
wherein the reactive agent is configured to react with the carrier element when the external environment exhibits specified conditions to thereby change at least a portion of the outer shell so as to cause at least a portion of the releasable material to be released from the carrier element and be in fluid communication with the external environment.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The delivery and release system according to claim 10, wherein the carrier element comprises a material adapted for reversible change of the degradation of the crosslinks.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The delivery and release system according to claim 1, wherein the particle comprises a phase change material (“PCM”).

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The delivery and release system according to claim 12, wherein the PCM is configured to be a solid up to a temperature of about 40° C. and is configured to be a liquid at temperatures greater than about 40° C.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The delivery and release system according to claim 12, wherein the specified conditions of the external environment are conditions in a subterranean reservoir, and wherein the PCM is adapted to transition between solid and liquid states or between liquid and vapor states in response to one or more of the specified conditions in the subterranean reservoir.

### Claim 15 (depends on 5)

The delivery and release system according to claim 5, wherein the PCM is configured to substantially isolate the reactive agent from reacting with the carrier element until the particle is subjected to the one or more of the specified conditions in the subterranean reservoir.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The delivery and release system according to claim 10, wherein the particle comprises a releasable material positioned within the inner core and selected from the group consisting of sensors, probes, markers, materials reactive with one or more components of the reservoir, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The delivery and release system according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the delivery and release system is in a form of nanoparticles.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The delivery and release system according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the delivery and release system is in a form of solid lipid nanoparticles.