Proppants and anti-flowback additives made from sillimanite minerals, methods of manufacture, and methods of use
US7790656B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S507/906
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Spherical and rod-shaped proppants and anti-flowback agents made from sillimanite minerals possess high strength and high conductivity. The sillimanite minerals may be selected from the group consisting of kyanite, sillimanite, and andalusite and may be used alone or in combination with other materials, such as bauxite, kaolin, meta-kaolin, pure or technical grade alumina (about 98%-99.9% alumina by weight), alumina-containing slag, zirconia, silica, iron, alkali elements (such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium), and virtually any other mineral containing alumina. The starting material may optionally be milled to achieve better compacity and crush resistance in the final proppant or anti-flowback agent. A fracturing fluid may comprise the rods or spheres alone, or in combination with each other or other proppants or anti-flowback agents of different shapes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.