Controlling microbial activity and growth in a mixed phase system
OwnerDennis R. Enning, Jennifer A. Hornemanninventors
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Abstract
A system and methods for controlling microbial activity and growth in a mixed phase system. The method includes providing a rare-earth compound. The method also includes injecting the rare-earth compound into a mixed phase system, wherein the rare earth compound binds with a phosphate in an aqueous phase to adsorb the phosphate. The method also includes separating the rare-earth compound from the mixed phase system.
Claims34
A method for controlling microbial activity and growth in a mixed phase system, comprising:
- providing a rare-earth compound;
- injecting the rare-earth compound into a mixed phase system, wherein the rare earth compound binds with a phosphate in an aqueous phase to adsorb the phosphate;
- and
- separating the rare-earth compound from the mixed phase system.
A method for controlling microbial activity and growth during hydrocarbon production, the method comprising:
- completing a well in a formation to access a reservoir, wherein the reservoir comprises a mixed phase material comprising a phosphate in an aqueous phase;
- injecting a rare-earth compound into the well, wherein the rare-earth compound flows into the mixed phase material and binds with the phosphate in the aqueous phase;
- removing the mixed phase material from the well;
- separating a hydrocarbon-containing material from the mixed phase material;
- and
- separating the rare-earth compound from the hydrocarbon-containing material.
A system for inhibiting bacteria growth, the system including:
- a mixed phase system comprising phosphate in an aqueous phase;
- a rare-earth compound in an aqueous mixture to form a rare-earth suspension;
- an injection system to inject the rare-earth suspension into the mixed phase system to adsorb the phosphate in the aqueous phase;
- and
- a separation system to separate the rare-earth suspension from the mixed phase system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.