Methods to Improve the Compatibility and Efficiency of Powdered Versions of Microfibrous Cellulose

• US 20110059883A1
• Filed: 09/08/2010
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cp Kelco (JM Huber Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cp Kelco (JM Huber Corporation)
• Inventors: Madison, Nicholas, Swazey, John McArthur JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/877,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20110059883A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/320
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/02 Cellulose; Modified cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/26 Natural polymers, natural resins or derivatives thereof according to C08L1/00 - C08L5/00, C08L89/00, C08L93/00, C08L97/00 or C08L99/00
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/08 Fiber-containing well treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/24 Bacteria or enzyme containing gel breakers
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/26 Gel breakers other than bacteria or enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/035 Organic additives
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/222 Natural or synthetic polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, gum, alginic acid or cyclodextrin
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/38645 containing cellulase
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3947 Liquid compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3956 Liquid compositions

Abstract

A method for improving the performance of a powdered microfibrous cellulose (MFC) composition is provided. The method involves degrading a co-agent in the powdered MFC composition using a polymer degrader. The polymer degrader does not substantially degrade the MFC.

Claims

1. A method for improving performance of a powdered microfibrous cellulose (MFC) composition comprising an MFC and a co-agent, the method comprising:

combining a polymer degrader with the MFC and the co-agent for an effective amount of time to degrade the co-agent, but not substantially degrade the MFC.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the combining step comprises dispersing the MFC, the co-agent, and the polymer degrader in an amount of a solvent effective to hydrate the co-agent to form a dispersion.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the solvent comprises water.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the solvent is water, alcohol, polyol, and/or combinations thereof

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising quenching the polymer degrader after the co-agent is degraded.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer degrader is a chemical breaker, an enzymatic breaker, and/or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the chemical breaker comprises an oxidizing agent.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the chemical breaker is hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, ammonium persulfate, sodium percarbonate, urea peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and/or combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the enzymatic breaker comprises an enzyme effective to degrade the co-agent.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the enzymatic breaker is cellulase, xanthanase, gummase, and/or combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the temperature, the pH, or both.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of time to degrade the co-agent is determined visually by observing flocculation of the MFC.

13. A method for making a product formulation using MFC, comprising:

adding a treated MFC to a product formulation, wherein the treated MFC is prepared by a method comprising;

combining a polymer degrader with an MFC and a co-agent for an effective amount of time to degrade the co-agent, but not substantially degrade the MFC.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the product formulation comprising the treated MFC has a higher yield than the product formulation comprising an untreated powdered MFC.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the product formulation comprising the treated MFC is substantially clear.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the polymer degrader is a chemical breaker, an enzymatic breaker, and/or combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the chemical breaker comprises an oxidizing agent.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the chemical breaker is hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, ammonium persulfate, sodium percarbonate, urea peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and/or combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the enzymatic breaker comprises an enzyme effective to degrade the co-agent.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the enzymatic breaker is cellulase, xanthanase, gummase, and/or combinations thereof.