Patent ID: 7803742
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: B82Y,C04B,C09K,E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A polymeric-nanocomposite spherical bead proppant exhibiting at least one of enhanced resistance to deformation under load, enhanced retention of resistance at elevated temperature, and enhanced retention of resistance in acidic, basic, or hydrocarbon environments; comprising: a polymer matrix; and from 0.001 to 60 volume percent of nanofiller particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction, wherein said nanofiller particles comprise at least one of fine particulate material, fibrous material, discoidal material, or a combination of such materials; and wherein said nanofiller particles are selected from the group of nanofillers consisting of: carbon black, fumed silica, fumed alumina, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, cellulosic nanofibers, fly ash, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes, or mixtures thereof, said nanofiller particles being dispersed throughout said polymeric nanocomposite spherical bead proppant, wherein said spherical bead proppant has diameter ranging from 0.1 mm to 4 mm and wherein said spherical bead has about neutral buoyancy relative to water.