Method for inhibiting or controlling inorganic scale formations with copolymers of acrylamide and quaternary ammonium salts
US7398824B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S507/927
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A formulation containing a copolymer derived from a cationic monomer effectively inhibits and controls the formation of inorganic scales. Suitable copolymers include those comprising an acrylamide unit and a quaternary ammonium salt group, and optionally an acrylate and/or nitrogen heterocyclic monomer including those wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is a unit of the formula:wherein R is methyl or hydrogen; R4 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group, optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl and alkoxy groups, X is halogen; and R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkoxy groups. Suitable nitrogen heterocyclic compounds include N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylimidazole and N-vinylpyridine. The copolymers have particular applicability in the control and inhibition of zinc sulfide or iron sulfide scales, typically formed when zinc bromide brines are used as fluids in the treatment of a gas or oil well, such as a completion fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.