Particulate ceramic useful as a proppant
US4680230A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2998
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A two-phase ceramic particulate useful as a proppant in hydraulic fracturing operations is provided which comprises a vitreous matrix phase containing a crystalline alumina phase. The new ceramic particles are characterized by: PA0 (i) a concentration gradient of alumina which increases from very low in the center to relatively high near the surface of the particles; PA0 (ii) a fired density less than about 2.9 g/cc; and PA0 (iii) closed cell microporosity. Certain embodiments of the inventive ceramic particulate are also characterized by a Krumbein roundness of at least 0.8 and are chemically stable. The ceramic is made by a process comprising the steps of: PA0 a. mixing and pelletizing, with the aid of water, the dry raw materials including a mineral particulate such as nepheline syenite and a binder such as bentonite; PA0 b. drying the wet pelletizer product; PA0 c. mixing the dried pellets with a parting agent; and PA0 d. firing the mixture of pellets and parting agent at sufficient temperature and for sufficient time to cause vitrification to occur.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.