Back to results
US 8,044,001 B2Granted
Solid zirconium-based cross-linking agent and use in oil field applications
AssigneeDorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLC
InventorDonald Edward Putzig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared comprising zirconium and hydroxyalkylated ethylene diamine ligand. Use of the cross-linking agent in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones is also disclosed.
Claims17
A process to prepare a solid zirconium cross-linking agent suitable for use as a cross-linking agent comprising:
- (a) contacting a zirconium complex with a hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine in an alcohol solvent to produce a mixture wherein the zirconium complex is a tetraalkyl zirconate and the mole ratio of hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine to zirconium is in the range of 0.5:1 to 1.5:1;
- (b) adding water to the mixture in an amount of 0.1 to 5.2 moles of water per mole of zirconium;
- (c) maintaining the product of step (b) for a sufficient period of time for the product to reach equilibrium;
- and (d) removing the alcohol from the product of step (c) to form a granular solid zirconium cross-linking agent.
1 more element
A cross-linking composition comprising (a) an aqueous liquid;
- (b) a buffer;
- (c) a cross-linkable organic polymer;
- and (d) a zirconium cross-linking agent, wherein the cross-linking agent is prepared by process comprising (a) contacting a zirconium complex with a hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine in an alcohol solvent to produce a mixture wherein the zirconium complex is a tetraalkyl zirconate and the mole ratio of hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine to zirconium is in the range of 0.5:1 to 1.5:1;
- (b) adding water to the mixture in an amount of 0.1 to 5.2 moles of water per mole of zirconium;
- (c) maintaining the product of step (b) for a sufficient period of time for the product to reach equilibrium;
- and (d) removing the alcohol from the product of step (c) to form a granular solid zirconium cross-linking agent.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.