Method and system for producing core-shell microcapsules for downhole applications using microfluidic-based solvent evaporation

Abstract

A system includes: a plurality of syringe pumps that provide an aqueous solution including a stabilizer, a non-aqueous solution including a polymer dissolved in an organic liquid, and a curing agent; a microchannel network; and an evaporation unit that provides an elevated temperature so that the organic liquid in the emulsion evaporates and microcapsules form. The microchannel network includes: a plurality of channels that separately receive the aqueous solution and the non-aqueous solution from the syringe pumps; and at least one channel junction where the aqueous solution and the non-aqueous solution mix to form an emulsion. Each of the microcapsules has a shell including the polymer and a core including the curing agent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.