Patent Publication Number: US-2017349806-A1

Title: Binary mixture systems

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of oil reservoir maintenance and more specifically relates to binary mixture systems. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The production of oil or gas from underground reservoirs involves chemical and mechanical processes that affect the wellbore. Many of these processes can eventually cause a problem with the well, resulting either in a decrease in production or in failure of equipment installed downhole or at the surface. Restrictions can occur in the formation or within the wellbore that can cause a decrease in oil or gas production. These restrictions are a result of changes in the formation or fluid properties around the wellbore, chemical reactions within the formation or the wellbore, mechanical problems, or inadequate completion techniques. Most of the serious problems can be avoided or delayed through preventive maintenance techniques or early recognition from regular analysis of producing rates, fluids, and the mechanical condition of the well. Such practices can prevent a costly workover that may be required to restore production from the well and may also prevent total loss of the wellbore. A suitable solution is desired. 
     Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,387,697 to Alexandrov et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,228,424 to Zavolzhskiy et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,086 to Daragan et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,388 to McGregor et. al., 2013/0206400 to Alexandrov et. al, and 2013/0014950 to Dickinson. This art is representative of oil reservoir maintenance. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Preferably, oil reservoir maintenance via binary mixture systems should provide lower oil viscosity and increased oil flow and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable binary mixture system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known oil reservoir maintenance art, the present invention provides a novel oil reservoir maintenance means. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide lower oil viscosity and increased oil flow. 
     A binary mixture system (and method) is disclosed herein and may comprise a binary mixture composition. The binary mixture composition may be useful for introduction into a functioning oil reservoir for cleaning and stimulation. The binary mixture composition may comprise an introduction speed to the oil reservoir of nine liters per second. The binary mixture composition may comprise the first-chemical composition, the second-chemical composition, and the third-chemical composition. The first-chemical composition may comprise ammonium nitrate-water. The first-chemical composition may comprise sixty percent ammonium nitrate by weight. The first-chemical composition may comprise forty-percent-water by weight. The first-chemical composition may comprise a ratio of 1.0 to the second-chemical composition and the third-chemical composition. The first-chemical composition may be heated in a tank. The first-chemical composition may comprise a first-heated temperature of sixty degrees Celsius. 
     The second-chemical composition may comprise the sodium nitrite-water. The second-chemical composition may comprise forty percent sodium nitrite by weight. The second-chemical composition may comprise sixty-percent-water by weight. The second-chemical composition may comprise a ratio of 1.56 to the first-chemical composition and the third-chemical composition. The second-chemical composition may be heated in a vessel. The second-chemical composition may comprise a second-heated temperature of sixty degrees Celsius. 
     The third-chemical composition may comprise the phosphoric acid-water. The third-chemical composition may comprise eighty-three percent phosphoric acid by weight. The third-chemical composition may comprise seventeen-percent-water by weight. The third-chemical composition may comprise a ratio of 0.2 to the first-chemical composition and the second-chemical composition. The third-chemical composition may comprise an ambient temperature profile. In this way a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be used as per the subsequent method of use. 
     The binary mixture system may comprise a kit including a first-chemical composition, a second-chemical composition, a third-chemical composition, and a set of user&#39;s instructions. 
     A method of using a binary mixture system may comprise the steps of placing a desired quantity of a first-chemical composition in a tank; placing a desired quantity of a second-chemical composition in a vessel; placing a desired quantity of a third-chemical composition in a receptacle; heating the first-chemical composition and the second-chemical composition to a temperature of sixty degrees Celsius; attaching the tank, the vessel, and the receptacle to hose lines; releasing the first-chemical composition, the second-chemical composition, and the third-chemical composition into an oil reservoir at a volume of nine liters per second; monitoring a pressure and the temperature of combined the first-chemical composition, the second-chemical composition, and the third-chemical composition; discontinuing heating to the first-chemical composition, the second-chemical composition when the temperature of combined the first-chemical composition, the second-chemical composition, and the third-chemical composition reaches eighty degrees Celsius; maintaining a working temperature within a range of two-hundred to two-hundred-fifty degrees Celsius; and discontinuing the release of the first-chemical composition, the second-chemical composition, and the third-chemical composition into the oil reservoir when no longer desired. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as novel oil reservoir maintenance means. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, binary mixture system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a binary mixture system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing a binary mixture assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the binary mixture assembly comprising a first-chemical composition, a second-chemical composition, and a third-chemical composition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a composition breakdown view illustrating the binary mixture assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a binary mixture assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the binary mixture system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to oil reservoir maintenance and more particularly to a binary mixture system as used to lower oil viscosity and increase oil flow. 
     Generally speaking, a binary mixture system provides a cost efficient and environmentally safe method to maintain an oil reservoir. The chemicals are injected into the productive zone through separate channels. The reaction rapidly generate gases/water vapor upon mixture, resulting in significant heating and pressurization of the payzone. Use of the separate lines is important because the chemicals react instantly and quickly produce exhaust gas and heat. The result is significantly lower oil viscosity and increased oil flows. The technology can be used in various reservoir types and it is particularly applicable in secondary or tertiary recoveries and in production of heavy oil at highly competitive costs. No infrastructure is required. No large amount of water required. No special tools and equipment are required either, because the pump trucks, chemical tanks, packers, pipes and measuring equipment are those that administer other chemical treatment to the reservoir. In addition, no special tools are required, because the pump trucks, packers, pipes are those that administer other chemical treatments to the reservoir. 
     The measuring system is also the same as used throughout the industry for measuring temperature and pressure in the reservoir. The delivery system provides near 100% efficiency, since the reaction takes place within the oil reservoir. In comparison to other methods, losses of energy are minimal as the binary mixture system is not limited to depth as is the steam assisted gravity drainage method. There is no release of oxygen in process. The maximum amount of the energy released is 1,185 KJ for 1 kg of dry ammonium nitrate. Further, large amounts of water do not need to be injected. For small scale treatments, there is an option to mix the chemicals to their proportions on side using tanks with pump circulation to mix the solution. For large scale treatments, chemicals are available locally and can be ordered in heated tanks and delivered to the site. 
     Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , binary mixture system  100  during an ‘in-use’ condition 150 showing user  140  operating a binary mixture system  100 . Binary mixture system  100  may comprise binary mixture composition  110 . Binary mixture composition  110  may be useful for introduction into a functioning oil reservoir  115  for cleaning and stimulation  113 . Binary mixture composition  110  may comprise an introduction speed  111  to oil reservoir  115  of nine liters per second  112 . Other introduction speeds may be used. Binary mixture composition  110  may comprise first-chemical composition  160 , second-chemical composition  170 , and third-chemical composition  180 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , binary mixture system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one first-chemical composition  160 ; at least one second-chemical composition  170 ; at least one third-chemical composition  180 ; and a set of user&#39;s instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Binary mixture system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different chemical and induction combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
     In further referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of binary mixture composition  110 . Binary mixture composition  110  may comprise first-chemical composition  160 , second-chemical composition  170 , and third-chemical composition  180 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise a ratio of 1.0  162  to second-chemical composition  170  and third-chemical composition  180 . Second-chemical composition  170  may comprise a ratio of 1.56  172  to first-chemical composition  160  and third-chemical composition  180 . Further, third-chemical composition  180  may comprise a ratio of 0.2  182  to first-chemical composition  160  and second-chemical composition  170 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a composition breakdown view of binary mixture composition  110 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise ammonium nitrate-water  161 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise sixty percent ammonium nitrate by weight  163 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise forty-percent-water by weight  164 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise a first-heated temperature of sixty degrees celsius  165 . Further, first-chemical composition  160  may be heated in tank  166 . 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 3 , second-chemical composition  170  may comprise sodium nitrite-water  171 . The second-chemical composition  170  may comprise forty percent sodium nitrite by weight  173 . Second-chemical composition  170  may comprise sixty-percent-water by weight  174 . Second-chemical composition  170  may comprise a second-heated temperature of sixty degrees celsius  175 . Further second-chemical composition  170  may be heated in a vessel  176 . 
     In further referring to  FIG. 3 , third-chemical composition  180  may comprise phosphoric acid-water  181 . Third-chemical composition  180  may comprise eighty-three percent phosphoric acid by weight  183 . Third-chemical composition  180  may comprise seventeen-percent-water by weight  184 . Further, third-chemical composition  180  may comprise an ambient temperature profile  185 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of binary mixture system  100  on a smaller scale with smaller tanks. Binary mixture composition  110  may be useful for introduction into a functioning oil reservoir  115  for cleaning and stimulation. First-chemical composition  160  may comprise ammonium nitrate-water  161 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise a ratio of 1.0  162  to second-chemical composition  170  and third-chemical composition  180 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise sixty percent ammonium nitrate by weight  163 . First-chemical composition  160  may comprise forty-percent-water by weight  164 . Further, first-chemical composition  160  may comprise a first-heated temperature of sixty degrees celsius  165 . 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 4 , second-chemical composition  170  may comprise sodium nitrite-water  171 . Second-chemical composition  170  may comprise a ratio of 1.56  172  to first-chemical composition  160  and third-chemical composition  180 . Second-chemical composition  170  may comprise forty percent sodium nitrite by weight  173 . Second-chemical composition  170  may comprise sixty-percent-water by weight  174 . Further, second-chemical composition  170  may comprise second-heated temperature of sixty degrees celsius  175 . 
     In further referring to  FIG. 4 , third-chemical composition  180  may comprise phosphoric acid-water  181 . Third-chemical composition  180  may comprise eighty-three percent phosphoric acid by weight  183 . Third-chemical composition  180  may comprise seventeen-percent-water by weight  184 . Third-chemical composition  180  may comprise a ratio of 0.2  182  to first-chemical composition  160  and second-chemical composition  170 . Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of binary mixture system as described herein, methods of oil reservoir maintenance via chemical introduction will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for binary mixture system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , placing a desired quantity of a first-chemical composition  160  in a tank  166 ; step two  502 , placing a desired quantity of a second-chemical composition  170  in a vessel  176 ; step three  503 , placing a desired quantity of a third-chemical composition  180  in a receptacle; step four  504 , heating the first-chemical composition  160  to a first-heated temperature of sixty degrees celsius  165  and the second-chemical composition  170  to a second-heated temperature of sixty degrees celsius  175 ; step five  505 , attaching the tank  166 , the vessel  176 , and the receptacle to hose lines; step six  506 , releasing the first-chemical composition  160 , the second-chemical composition  170 , and the third-chemical composition  180  into an oil reservoir  115  at a volume of nine liters per second; step seven  507 , monitoring the pressure and the temperature of the combined first-chemical composition  160 , second-chemical composition  170 , and third-chemical composition  180 ; step eight  508 , discontinuing heating to the first-chemical composition  160 , and the second-chemical composition  170  when the temperature of the combined first-chemical composition  160 , second-chemical composition  170 , and third-chemical composition  180  reaches eighty degrees celsius; step nine  509 , maintaining a working temperature within a range of two-hundred to two-hundred-fifty degrees celsius; and step ten  510 , discontinuing the release of the first-chemical composition  160 , the second-chemical composition  170 , and the third-chemical composition  180  into the oil reservoir  115  when no longer desired. 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.