# US 11,896,938 B2 · Nanobubble dispersions generated in electrochemically activated solutions

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- Number: US 11,896,938 B2
- Document ID: US11896938B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/058,080
- Filed: 2022-11-22
- Published: 2023-04-13
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2021-10-13
- Assignees: Disruptive Oil and Gas Technologies Corp
- Applicants: Disruptive Oil and Gas Technologies Corp
- Inventors: Gary James Grieco; David Lee Holcomb; Jeffery Kearns Hardin; Leonard Mark Bland
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896938B2

## CPC

- B01F 23/23: by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
- C09K 8/594: Compositions used in combination with injected gas {, e.g. CO2 orcarbonated gas}(C09K8/592 takes precedence)
- C09K 8/58: Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C25B 1/16: Hydroxides (by simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine C25B1/34)
- E21B 43/168: {Injecting a gaseous medium}
- B01F 23/2373: for obtaining fine bubbles, i.e. bubbles with a size below 100 µm
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B)
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

Methods and systems for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. A method includes providing a nanogas dispersion comprising a plurality of stable gas-filled cavities dispersed within an electrochemically activated (“ECA”) aqueous solution, the ECA aqueous solution comprising an electrolyte and water; and introducing an effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, wherein the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities of the nanogas dispersion enter into an interstitial space defined as between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation thereby reducing interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A system includes a pump configured to introduce the effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and a recovery device configured to collect the hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation using an enhanced system comprising a pump, the method comprising:
providing a nanogas dispersion comprising a plurality of stable gas-filled cavities dispersed within an electrochemically activated (“ECA”) aqueous solution, the ECA aqueous solution comprising an electrolyte and water; and
introducing, via the pump of the enhanced system, an effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, wherein the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities of the nanogas dispersion enter into an interstitial space defined as between a hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation thereby reducing interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising separating the hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation and extracting, via a recovery device of the enhanced system, the hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities using a pressurized system including: (i) a microporous membrane, (ii) a cavitation system, (iii) a sonication system, or (iv) a pressurized system including a liquid-gas saturation device having a flow path.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities comprises at least one of carbon dioxide gas-filled cavities, nitrogen gas-filled cavities, oxygen gas-filled cavities, ozone gas-filled cavities, air-filled cavities, field gas-filled cavities, and methane gas-filled cavities or combinations thereof.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities have an average diameter of less than 500 nm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities is defined by a tensile strength of at least 1.3 N−1 for cavities as small or smaller than 150 nm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is at least one of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and potassium carbonate, and when electrochemically activated, the electrolyte becomes at least one of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and hypochlorous acid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ECA aqueous solution is a catholyte or an anolyte.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the nanogas dispersion forming a wedge of stable gas-filled cavities that creates a disjoining pressure that displaces the hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising fragmenting the hydrocarbon into a plurality of smaller hydrocarbon droplets to reduce a viscosity of the hydrocarbon enabling the hydrocarbon to flow from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.