US3908388A

US3908388A - Process for soil stabilization

Info

Publication number: US3908388A
Application number: US461732A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick William Devries
Original assignee: EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Current assignee: EIDP Inc
Priority date: 1974-04-17
Filing date: 1974-04-17
Publication date: 1975-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-30

Abstract

Soil is treated by contacting it with a slurry of high absorbency alkali metal silicate in a non-aqueous fluid and reacting the silicate with an alkali metal acid phosphate or an amide having the formula

wherein R is hydrogen, an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having one to four carbon atoms or -CONX2 wherein X is hydrogen or an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms in the presence of from 1 to 2.5 moles of water per mole of alkali metal oxide in the silicate.

Description

DeVries 1 1 Sept. 30, 1975 [54] PROCESS FOR SOIL STABILIZATION 3.583.166 6/1971 Gruf et a1 v. 61/36 R [75] lnventor: Frederick William DeVries, Chadds Ford Pa. Prunary Examiner-Stephen J. Novosad [73] Assignee: E. l. Du Pont de Nemours and [57] ABSTRACT Company, Wilmington. Del. Soil 15 treated by contacting it with a slurry of high ab- [22] Flled: 1974 sorbency alkali metaLsiljcatc in a non-aqueous fluid [2 11 APP] NOJ 461732 and reacting the silicate with an alkali metal acid phosphate or an amide having the formu a r [52] US. Cl 61/36 R; 166/292; 106/74 [51] Int. Cl.'-. E02D 3/12: E02D 3/14; E218 33/138 0 [581 Field 61 Search 166/292-294, g 166/300; 61/36 R, 35; 106/74 [56] References Cited f\ vhereinbR is hydrogen, an alkyl grcaup having one to our car on atoms, an alkoxy group aving one to four UNITED STATES PATENTS carbon atoms or CONX. wherein X is hydrogen or 2.968.572 1/1961 Peeler. .Ir. 61/36 R an alky] group having one to f Carbon moms in the presence of from 1 to 2.5 moles of water per mole of r 1 I 3.288.040 11/1966 Burrows 61/36 R x m the 3.558.506 1/1971 Bonncl et ul 61/36 R 10 c N Drawings PROCESS FOR SOIL STABILIZATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various methods, both chemical and non-chemical, have been employed in an attempt to stabilize the substrate from which oil is produced. Particularly with respect to sand formations, the aim is to stabilize the loose sand in the deposit while maintaining the permeability of the sand to the flow of oil.

In the old gravel pack technique, larger particles of gravel were deposited around the base hole and the sand was allowed to pack around it. The problem with such a solution remained the difficulty in getting the gravel adequately arranged in the base hole and the criticality in determining exactly the proper size of the gravel to be used. If the gravel was too coarse, the sand still escaped into the oil. If the gravel was too fine, the sand packed and a high pressure drop would be set up around the pack.

Many chemical methods for combatting this problem have been proposed, and the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,572 issued on Jan. 17, 1961 to Cletus E. Peeler is the currently employed technique. While this method can be used to stabilize sand formations, it suffers the disadvantage of yielding an essentially oil impermeable structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that unstable soil formations, particularly sand formations, can be stabilized while oil permeability is maintained when the soil is treated with a slurry of highly absorbent, low bulk density, hydrated alkali metal silicate in a non-aqueous fluid and the silicate is reacted while in intimate contact with the formation, with an amide having the structure wherein R is hydrogen, an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing one to four carbon atoms or CONX wherein X is hydrogen or an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms or an alkali metal acid phosphate or a mixture of any of them in the presence of water. If desired, a reactive additive may be used to speed up the insolubilization of the silicate in the soil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The most critical element involved in achieving sta bility coupled with permeability in accordance with this invention is the unique silicate employed in the form of a slurry in a non-aqueous fluid. Specifically, the alkali metal silicates are spheroidal, amorphous and have a mole ratio of SiO to alkali metal oxide of 1 to 3.75. The silicates of the invention are characterized by a bulk density of less than 0.5 g./cc. and a maximum water content of 30% by weight. They also have a spe cific nitrogen surface area between 2.5 and 7 m.'-/g. The alkali metal silicates include silicates of sodium, potassium, lithium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof. Sodium silicates are preferred.

Any alkali metal silicate having the above characteristics may be used. One such suitable material is made by contacting essentially discrete alkali metal silicate particles with aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide,

absorbing the peroxide into the alkali metal silicate hydrated structure and heating the silicate to destroy substantially all of the hydrogen peroxide, thereby causing the silicate to swell and form a high surface area aggregated structure having an extremely high absorbency. These types of silicates and the methods by which they are prepared are discussed in detail in US. application Ser. No. 425,970 filed Dec. 19, 1973.

It is important that the silicate be in place in the formation to be stabilized before the insolubilization of the silicate takes place via reaction with the acid phosphate or amide. Generally the silicate is pumped into the formation after it is slurried in a non-aqueous fluid. The concentration of the silicate in the slurry is not critical as long as the slurry is sufficiently fluid to be pumped into the soil to be treated. Generally, 10 to 30 and preferably 20 parts by volume of silicate per parts by volume of the non-aqueous fluid are suitable.

Any non-aqueous fluid which is inert to the silicate and the acid phosphate, amide or reactive salt used may be employed, including a gas, as long as the fluid is a liquid at the temperature, pressure, porosity and other conditions prevailing in the soil to be treated. Generally suitable material would include linear, branched, cyclic, aromatic, aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing hydrocarbons such as epoxides, ketones, alcohols and the like or mixtures of any of them, preferably containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The non-aqueous fluid should be inert with respect to the silicate, amide, acid phosphate and any reactive additive used. Specific examples of some suitable materials include the crude oil from the well or any other inert petroleum product or cut, petroleum naphtha, hydrocarbons, liquified petroleum gas, petroleum ether, methanol, benzene, toluene, xylene, diphenyl ether, diisobutyl ketone, biphenyl, cyclopentane, hexadiene, cyclohexane, 4-ethyl-5 methyl octane, eicosane and the like and mixtures of any of them, particularly mixtures of benzene, toluene and xylene.

The volume of the silicate that should be used depends on the vertical interval of the formation and the distance out into the formation away from the well that it is desired to treat. Treatment volume depends on factors such as porosity and surface area. Normally, one volume of silicate per volume of pore space is adequate. In some cases, less of the silicate will protect considerably more pore space. Since the characteristics of soils vary, different treatment volumes will be required depending on soil conditions. Generally, however, it is preferred to inject from 1 to 0.15 volume of silicate per pore volume of the soil to be treated.

Any amide having the formula as defined herein or mixtures thereof may be used. Some such suitable amides include,- for example, formamide, acetamide, propionamide, butyramide and N- substituted derivatives such as N-methyl formamide, N,N-dimethyl formamide, N-monoand diethyl formamide and the like. Formamide is preferred. Any alkali metal acid phosphate may also be used including sodium, potassium, lithium, cesium, rubidium, and the like acid phosphates, acid pyrophosphates and the like.

The amide and/or acid phosphate and silicate can be so proportioned as to provide insolubilization of the silicate within one-half to eight hours at the temperature of the soil, generally from C. to 250C. Ideally, the amount of amide to be used varies from 0.2 to 1.5, preferably 0.3 to 0.6, acid equivalents derived via hydrolysis of the amide per equivalent of alkali metal oxide in the silicate at the reaction site. If an acid phosphate is used, the same equivalency at the reaction site based on the acid hydrogen content of the phosphate is used. Any excess amount of the amide and/or phosphate may be used to insure that the specified amount of these materials is available at the reaction site to completely react the silicate.

No reactive salt need be employed unless a high degree of initial gel water insolubility is desired. Any amount of the reactive salt may be used but, because the insolubilized structure would be brittle if reactive salt alone were used to insolubilize the silicate, it is preferred that amounts up to a maximum of 80% of equivalency be employed. Thus, from 0 to 80% of the equivalent amount of the reactive salt needed to react completely with the silicate is preferably present at the reaction site. Any salt reacm' e .to insolubilize the silicate may be employed including, for examp e, sodium aluminate, sodium bicarbonate, ferric chloride, aluminum chloride, cupric sulfate, cupric chloride, zinc chloride, calcium chloride and the like and mixtures thereof.

The amide or acid phosphates or mixtures thereof may be introduced to the silicate after the slurry is pumped into the formation, or they may be slurried in the nonaqueous medium with the silicate. Any acid phosphate or amide such as formamide, which is a liquid at well temperatures and pressures may be added separately. The amide or acid phosphate may also be dissolved in the additional water and pumped to the silicate slurry already in place in the formation. Although the latter mode of introduction is preferred, any desired method may be used to introduce the amide or acid phosphate to the silicate. Because the volume of amide or acid phosphate and water is small, use of this latter method may require the addition of an excess of these agents to assure the presence of the proper amounts at the reaction site, the location of the silicate particles.

The amount of water required at the reaction site is, at most, the stoichiometrically equivalent amount necessary to hydrolyze the silicate to silica and achieve dissociation of the amide or dissolution of the acid phosphate. Overall, from 0.8 to 2.5 moles of alkali e ide i silicate at the reaction site is adequate. When an amide is used, from 1 to 2.5 moles of water should be present at the reaction site per mole of alkali metal oxide in the silicate, and preferably 1.8 t of water are employed. This amount is adequate to hydrolyze the amide and the silicate. When an acid phosphate is used, from 0.8 to 1.2

- moles of water should be present at the reaction site per mole of alkali metal oxide in the silicate. Since the acid phosphate does not hydrolyze but merely dissolves in the water, less water is consumed when an acid phos phate is employed.

The water can be added to the silicate in the formation after or with the amide or with the acid phosphate. When an amide is used, the water can also be mixed into the initial silicate slurry. When an acid phosphate is used, the water is preferably used to dissolve the phosphate so that the phosphate can react. In this instance, the water is introduced as a solution of the phosphate. The water may also be added to the nonaqueous slurry of the silicate. If the amide or acid phosphate is also to be added to the slurry of the silicate in a non-aqueous fluid, the precise amounts of the water and the amide or acid phosphate must be employed to allow an adequate time period within which the composition can be pumped into the soil to be treated before reaction starts. If sufficient water is present in the formation, no additional water need be added. If some water is present but it is not sufficient for the reaction of this invention, supplementary portions of water may be added. The source of the water is irrelevant as long as an adequate amount is available to the amide or acid phosphate and silicate.

The invention is further illustrated but is not intended to be limited by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 A slurry is constituted as follows: 20 parts by volume (about 4 grams) of a high-absorbency im gntainin 7 0 0.2.4 SiO and 25% water, 1 part by volume fogmamide (about 1 gram), 1 part by volume water (about 1 gram), 100 parts by volume of a naphtha cut averaging C H, (about grams). This slurry is pumped at 25C. into a loose sand formation, to a volume four times the porosity of the sand. The sand acts to filter out and entrap the silicate particles. The silicate is insolubilized in about 8 hours leaving a stable structure still permeable to oil.

EXAMPLE 2 A slurry comprising 20 parts by volume of a highabsorbencysiligate, bulk density 0.15 gram per cc. and conta' ing about 207 mbined w r, in volumes ethanol 18 pumped at 25C. through a porous, loose sand formation, to a level twice that of the porosity of the sand. 20 Volumes of a 70:30 mixture of formamidezwater are pumped through the formation. This is an excess quantity used to insure a sufficient quantity of water and formamide at the reaction site. A stable structure is formed within an hour. The formation is permeable to oil.

EXAMPLE 3 The slurry described in Example 1, excluding the water, using the method outlined in Example 1, is pumped at 25C. into a sand formation already wet with ground water. An assay of the drained sand shows the presence of at least one part of water per parts of slurry. The silicate sets up in about 8 hours as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 4 The slurry of Example 1 except that it contains 0.5 part by volume of formamide and no water is pumped at 25C. into a loose sand formation wet with a 5% solution of calcium chloride in water at a volume four times the porosity of the sand. The drained sand contains at least 5 parts by volume of solution per 120 volumes of slurry. Gellation occurs within 4 hours, to leave a stable, oil-permeable formation.

EXAMPLE 5 A slurry comprising 20 parts by volume of the silicate of Example 1, 100 parts by volume of toluene, 0.5 part by volume of formamide, and 1 part by volume of water is pumped at 100C. into a loose sand formation at a volume four times the porosity of the sand. Gelling occurs within an hour, with additional curing occurring during 8 additional hours at this temperature as evidenced by increasing stability. The formation remains permeable to oil.

EXAMPLE 6 A slurry comprising parts by volume of a (12.4) high-absorbency potassium silicate, with a bulk density of 0.2 gram per cc. and a water content of 20%, and 100 parts by volume of cyclohexane is pumped into a porous, loose sand formation at 50C. to the extent of 3 volumes slurry per volume pore opening in the sand. A solution containing 20 parts by weight of sodium acid pyrophosphate per 100 parts by weight of water is pumped at 50C. through the sand to a level of threefourths the pore volume of the sand. Silicate is gelled within one hour and develops increased strength through curing over the next 12 hours to yield a stable, oil-permeable structure.

EXAMPLE 7 The slurry described in Example 6 is pumped, at the same volume, into a porous, loose sand formation containing 1.5% by volume ferric chloride per pore volume. The solution of sodium acid pyrophosphate described in Example 6 is pumped through at a level of one-half the pore volume of the sand. The silicate is gelled within one hour and it develops increased strength during the next 6 hours yielding a stable, oilpermeable formation.

EXAMPLE 8 The slurry described in Example 1 except that two parts of dimethylformamide are substituted for the one part formamide, is pumped into a porous sand formation under the same conditions as described in Example 1. The impregnated sand is then subjected in a bomb to a temperature of 200C, thus simulating conditions at the base of an oil well. The bomb maintains the developed pressure of the water and dimethylformamide so that vapors cannot escape from the sand. The structure becomes stable within 24 hours and remains oilpermeable.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for the purpose of illustration and that variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved method for treating soil which comprises contacting the soil with a slurry of highly absorbent, low bulk density, hydrated alkali metal silicate in a non-aqueous fluid and reacting an alkali metal acid phosphate or an amide of the formula wherein R is hydrogen, an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having one to four carbon atoms, or -CONX wherein X is hydrogen or an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms and from O to of the equivalent amount of a reactive salt with the silicate in the presence of from 0.8 to 2.5 moles of water per mole of alkali metal oxide in the silicate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal silicate is sodium silicate.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate has a ratio of silicon dioxide to alkali metal oxide of l to 3.75, a bulk density of less than 0.5 g./cc. and a maximum water content of 30%.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate is reacted with formamide.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate slurry is pumped into the soil and the acid phosphate or amide, dissolved in the water, is pumped into soil containing the silicate.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the acid phosphate or amide is slurried with the silicate, pumped into the soil and the water is introduced into the soil containing the acid phosphate or amide and silicate.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate is reacted with an amide in the presence of 1.8 to 2.2 moles of water per mole of alkali metal oxide in the silicate.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate is reacted with an acid phosphate in the presence of 0.8 to 1.2 moles of water per mole of alkali metal oxide in the silicate.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the amide or acid phosphate provides 0.2 to 1.5 acid equivalents per equivalent of alkali metal oxide in the silicate.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-aqueous fluid is a linear, branched, cyclic, aromatic, aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon or oxygencontaining hydrocarbon having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. k I!

Claims

1. AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR TREATING SOIL WHICH COMPRISES CONTACTING THE SOIL WITH A SLURRY OF HIGHLY ABSORBENT, LOW BULK DENSITY, HYDRATED ALKALI METAL SILICATE IN A NON-AQUEOUS FLUID AND REACTING AN ALKALI METAL ACID PHOSPHATE OR AN AMIDE OF THE FORMULA

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal silicate is sodium silicate.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate has a ratio of silicon dioxide to alkali metal oxide of 1 to 3.75, a bulk density of less than 0.5 g./cc. and a maximum water content of 30%.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the silicate is reacted with formamide.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-aqueous fluid is a linear, branched, cyclic, aromatic, aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon or oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having 3 to 20 carbon atoms.