Shape memory polymer proppants, methods of making shape memory polymer proppants for application in hydraulic fracturing treatments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017362500-A9
Application number	US-201514932202-A
Country	US
Kind code	A9
Filing date	Nov 4, 2015
Priority date	Nov 5, 2014
Publication date	Dec 21, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for shape memory proppants, methods for making shape memory proppants, and methods of using shape memory proppants, and the like. The strong expandable proppants of the present disclosure may be used in maintaining fracture openings.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the shape memory polymer proppant further comprises a polymer material.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer material is a thermoplastic shape memory polymer, a thermosetting shape memory polymer, or a combination thereof.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic shape memory polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polyurethane, polynorbornene, polyester, polyether, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethyleneoxide (PEO), poly(1,4-butadiene), poly(vinyl acetate), polyamide-6 (nylon-6), poly(tetrahydrofuran), poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline), poly(ethylene adipate), MDI/1,4-butanediol, poly(ε-caprolactone), poly vinyl chloride, polyethylene/polyamide blend, and a combination thereof.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the thermosetting shape memory polymer is selected from the group consisting of: an epoxy family and a phenolic family.

6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer material is a blend, a composite, or an interpenetration network of a thermoplastic shape memory polymer and a thermosetting shape memory polymer.

7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the shape memory polymer proppant has a core surrounded by the polymer material, wherein the polymer material is a thermoplastic shape memory polymer, a thermosetting shape memory polymer, or a combination thereof.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the core is selected from a group consisting of: sand, bauxite, and ceramic.

9 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising a mixture comprising sand, ceramic, or a combination thereof to be mixed with the shape memory polymer proppant.

10 . (canceled)

11 . (canceled)

12 . (canceled)

13 . (canceled)

14 . (canceled)

15 . (canceled)

16 . A method, comprising:
providing a shape memory polymer proppant, wherein the proppant has an activated state and a programmed state, wherein in the activated state of the proppant has an activated state diameter, wherein in the programmed state of the proppant has a programmed state diameter, wherein the activated state diameter is equal to or greater than the programmed state diameter, wherein the proppant in the programmed state will convert to the proppant in the activated state when an activation temperature is applied to the proppant in the programmed state, wherein the shape memory polymer proppant is in the programmed state; exposing the shape memory polymer proppant in the programmed state to the activation condition, wherein the activation condition is selected from the group consisting of: an activation temperature, a moisture, a light, a pH, a magnetic field, an ultrasonic current, electricity current, and a combination thereof; and converting the shape memory polymer proppant in the programmed state to the shape memory polymer in the activated state upon exposure to the activation condition, wherein the diameter of the shape memory polymer proppant in the activated state has a diameter that is equal to or greater than the diameter of the shape memory polymer proppant in the programmed state.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the activated state diameter is about 100 μm to 1 mm, wherein the programmed state diameter is about 100 μm to 1 mm, and wherein the activated state diameter is equal to or greater than the programmed state diameter.

Assignees

• Univ Louisiana State

Inventors

• Dahi Taleghani Arash
• Shojaei Amir
• Li Guoqiang

Classifications

• C09K8/80 Primary

  Compositions for reinforcing fractures, e.g. compositions of proppants used to keep the fractures open · CPC title

• C09K8/805

  Coated proppants · CPC title