Combination catalyst/coupling agent for furan resin

Abstract

A polymerizable resin composition useful in downhole applications in a subterranean well is disclosed as including a furfuryl alcohol oligomer resin and a polymerization catalyst. The catalyst should be a C9 to C15 alkyl benzene sulfonic acid and preferably is a dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid. The polymerizable resin composition may also include an organic diluent selected from C3 to C8 alkyl esters, C1 to C6 alkyl alcohols; halogenated aromatics and mixtures thereof. Preferably the organic diluent is a C1 to C6 alkyl acetate and more preferably the organic diluent is butyl acetate. The polymerizable resin composition may include super-slurper polymers such as copolymers of starch and acrylamides or starch and acrylates. Solid particles may also be included in the polymerizable resin composition. In one embodiment in which the solid particles are sand a consolidated mass of sand particles forms, the consolidated mass having a compressive strength that is at least 50% greater than a similar consolidated mass made using p-toluene sulfonic acid as the polymerization catalyst. At least partial polymerization of the resin occurs at a temperature from about 15° C. (60 F.°) to about 260° C. (500 F.°).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.