Proppants and their manufacture
US7160844B2 · kind B2 · utility
42Cited by
11References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S507/924
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Small spheres, commonly referred to as proppants, are manufactured from sol-gel ceramics, preferably aluminosilicates or phosphates, and include chemical composites termed geopolymers. In the preferred manufacturing process, the required chemical components are blended, and the proppant particles are shaped and cured at low temperatures. The proppant particles have high compressive strength, are chemically inert, and a low specific gravity, making them particularly suited for hydraulic fracturing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.