Mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose and poly(maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether) as a hydrocolloid gelling agent
AssigneeCelanese Corporation
InventorRonald N. DeMartino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment this invention provides a fluid composition which comprises an aqueous medium which is thickened with a synergistic viscosity mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose and poly(maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether) as a novel hydrocolloid gelling agent. An aqueous medium thickened with a present invention gelling agent is applicable as a vehicle for explosive slurries, printing pastes, paint formulations, adhesives, and the like. A thixotropic aqueous medium of this invention is uniquely adapted for use as a hydraulic fluid in well-drilling operations and in secondary oil and gas recovery from subterranean formations.
Claims13
A hydraulic fluid composition which comprises an aqueous solution containing (1) between about 0.05 and 5 weight percent, based on the weight of water, of a mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose (average M.S. between about 2 and 5) and maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether copolymer as a gelling agent, wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl vinyl ether contains between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms, the gelling agent components are in a relative ratio between about 95:5 and 5:95 weight percent, and the specific viscosity of the copolymer component is between about 0.1 and 10;
- and (2) between about 0.01 and 25 weight percent, based on the weight of gelling agent, of a breaker additive for subsequent reduction of solution viscosity.
A hydraulic fracturing fluid composition comprising (1) an aqueous medium;
- (2) between about 0.05 and 5 weight percent, based on the weight of water, of a synergistic viscosity mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose (average M.S. between about 2 and 5) and maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether copolymer as a gelling agent, wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl vinyl ether contains between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms, the gelling agent components are in a relative ratio between about 95:5 and 5:95 weight percent, and the specific viscosity of the copolymer component is between about 0.1 and 10;
- (3) between about 0.01 and 25 weight percent, based on the weight of gelling agent, of a breaker additive for subsequent autonomous reduction of the gelling properties of the mixture of hydroxyproplycellulose and maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether copolymer;
- and (4) a propping agent.
A thickened aqueous composition having a pH in the range of between about 6 and 11, and containing between about 0.05 and 5 weight percent, based on the weight of water, of a synergistic hydrocolloid mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose (average M.S. between about 2 and 5) and maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether copolymer as a gelling agent, wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl vinyl ether contains between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms, the gelling agent components are in a relative ratio between about 95:5 and 5:95 weight percent, and the specific viscosity of the copolymer component is between about 0.1 and 10.
A process for increasing the viscosity of an aqueous medium which comprises incorporating therein between about 0.05 and 5 weight percent, based on the weight of water, of a synergistic viscosity mixture of hydroxypropylcellulose (average M.S. between about 2 and 5) and maleic anhydride/alkyl vinyl ether copolymer as a gelling agent;
- wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl vinyl ether contains between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms, the gelling agent components are in a relative ratio between about 95:5 and 5:95 weight percent, and the specific viscosity of the copolymer component is between about 0.1 and 10.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.