METHODS TO ENHANCE SILICA SAND PROPPANT FOR USE IN FRACKING OPERATIONS
First Claim
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1. A method of increasing crush resistance of silica sand proppant used in fracturing operations involving one or more hydrocarbon formations, the method comprising:
- positioning silica sand proppant in proximity to a local source of electromagnetic radiation, the silica sand proppant including individual particles having at least partial quartz crystalline structures; and
exposing the silica sand proppant to the electromagnetic radiation generated by the local source of electromagnetic radiation for a period of time, the period of time sufficient for the electromagnetic radiation to strengthen the at least partial quartz crystalline structures and to increase specific gravity of the silica sand proppant.
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Abstract
Methods for cost effectively transforming lower quality silica sands into higher quality silica sands for use as proppants in fracking operations involving subterranean hydrocarbon formations. A process of exposing silica sand proppants to locally-sourced electromagnetic radiation, and systems therefor, are disclosed and shown 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 hydrocarbon formations, the method comprising:
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positioning silica sand proppant in proximity to a local source of electromagnetic radiation, the silica sand proppant including individual particles having at least partial quartz crystalline structures; and exposing the silica sand proppant to the electromagnetic radiation generated by the local source of electromagnetic radiation for a period of time, the period of time sufficient for the electromagnetic radiation to strengthen the at least partial quartz crystalline structures and to increase specific gravity of the silica sand proppant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of increasing crush resistance of silica sand proppant used in fracturing operations involving one or more hydrocarbon formations, the method comprising:
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positioning silica sand proppant on a conveyor to form a thickness of the silica sand proppant atop the conveyor; operating the conveyor to pass the silica sand proppant in proximity to a local source of electromagnetic radiation that produces electromagnetic radiation at a frequency between about 1200 MHz and about 2700 MHz; exposing the silica sand proppant to the electromagnetic radiation, the thickness of the silica sand proppant atop the conveyor selected to cause the electromagnetic radiation to penetrate through the thickness of the silica sand proppant atop the conveyor and to expose silica sand proppant in contact with the conveyor; and controlling conveyor speed to expose the silica sand proppant to the local source of electromagnetic radiation for an exposure time, the exposure time sufficient for the electromagnetic radiation to increase crush resistance of silica sand proppant is decreased as the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is increased. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification