METHODS TO INCREASE CRUSH RESISTANCE OF SILICA SAND PROPPANT FOR FRACKING OPERATIONS
First Claim
1. A method of increasing crush resistance of silica sand proppant used in fracturing operations involving one or more subterranean hydrocarbon formations, the method comprising:
- washing silica sand proppant in a washer to remove impurities;
exposing at least a portion of the washed silica sand proppant to electromagnetic radiation to impart heat to the washed silica sand proppant, the electromagnetic radiation being generated by a local electromagnetic radiation source;
adding washed and exposed silica sand proppant to a tumbler; and
within about one minute after the at least a portion of the washed silica sand proppant has been exposed to the electromagnetic radiation, tumbling the at least a portion of washed silica sand proppant in the tumbler.
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Abstract
Methods for cost effectively transforming lower quality silica sands into higher quality silica sands having increased crush resistance for use as proppants in fracturing operations involving subterranean hydrocarbon formations. One or more of an attrition process, a microwaving process and a tumbling process are disclosed and shown to be applied to silica sands having inferior physical properties in order to increase the performance of those silica sands as proppants in hydrocarbon formation fracturing operations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of increasing crush resistance of silica sand proppant used in fracturing operations involving one or more subterranean hydrocarbon formations, the method comprising:
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washing silica sand proppant in a washer to remove impurities; exposing at least a portion of the washed silica sand proppant to electromagnetic radiation to impart heat to the washed silica sand proppant, the electromagnetic radiation being generated by a local electromagnetic radiation source; adding washed and exposed silica sand proppant to a tumbler; and within about one minute after the at least a portion of the washed silica sand proppant has been exposed to the electromagnetic radiation, tumbling the at least a portion of washed silica sand proppant in the tumbler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of increasing crush resistance and fracture conductivity of silica sand proppant used in fracturing operations involving one or more hydrocarbon formations, the method comprising:
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washing silica sand proppant in a washer to remove impurities from the silica sand proppant; and exposing at least a portion of the washed silica sand proppant to electromagnetic radiation prior to injection into a hydrocarbon well for the fracturing operations, the electromagnetic radiation being generated by a local electromagnetic radiation source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification