Use of foam shape memory polymer to transport acid or other wellbore treatments

• US 8,240,392 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Barnard, Jason J., Gabrysch, Allen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates, Zakiya W
• Application Number:
  US12/565,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20110067873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 166/386
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/536 characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. encapsulated material
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/94 Foams
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 27/02 Dump bailers, i.e. containers for depositing substances, e.g. cement or acids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 Combined

Abstract

An embodiment provides a device that includes a shape memory member having a sealed outer surface and a permeable inner mass and a selected fluid placed and sealed within the inner mass at a first temperature. The selected fluid is released from the inner mass when the shape memory member is heated to a second temperature.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a shape memory member having a sealed outer surface and a permeable inner mass; and

a selected fluid placed and sealed within the inner mass at a first temperature, wherein the selected fluid is released from the inner mass when the shape memory member is heated to a second temperature.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealed outer surface comprises a non-permeable foam.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner mass comprises an open cell foam.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is less than a glass transition temperature for the inner mass.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is greater than a glass transition temperature for the inner mass.

6. The device of claim 1, comprising a first vessel shape for the shape memory member at the first temperature.

7. The device of claim 1, comprising a second flat expanded shape for the shape memory member at the second temperature.

8. A device, comprising:

a member comprising a shape memory material configured to contain a selected fluid at a first temperature and release the selected fluid upon a heating of the member to a second temperature, wherein the member comprises an outer surface of non-permeable foam and an inner mass of permeable open cell foam.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first temperature is less than a glass transition temperature for the shape memory material.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the second temperature is greater than a glass transition temperature for the shape memory material.

11. A method for making a device to retain a fluid, comprising:

providing a shape memory member containing an inner mass configured to receive a selected fluid;

heating the shape memory member to take a first shape;

placing the selected fluid in the inner mass; and

sealing and cooling the shape memory member to cause the selected fluid to be retained in the inner mass.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising providing a non-permeable member on a portion of an outer surface of the shape memory material, wherein a portion of the inner mass is exposed to receive the selected fluid prior to sealing the shape memory member.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein sealing and cooling the shape memory member comprises cooling the shape memory member to a temperature that is less than a glass transition temperature of the shape memory member.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein heating the shape memory member comprises heating the shape memory member to a temperature that is about equal to or greater than a glass transition temperature of the shape memory member.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein providing a shape memory member comprises configuring the inner mass to release the selected fluid after heating the shape memory member equal to or greater than a glass transition temperature of the shape memory member.

16. A method for placing a selected fluid in a selected location in a wellbore, comprising:

obtaining a device, wherein the device comprises;

a shape memory member having a sealed outer surface and porous and permeable inner mass; and

a selected fluid placed and sealed within the inner mass at a first temperature, wherein the selected fluid is released from the inner mass when the shape memory member is heated to a second temperature;

transporting the device to the selected location in the wellbore; and

increasing a temperature of the selected location to the second temperature to release the selected fluid.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transporting the device to the selected location comprises pumping the device in a liquid.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein transporting the device to the selected location comprises maintaining the device at the first temperature.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first temperature is less than a glass transition temperature for the inner mass.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein increasing a temperature of the selected location in the wellbore to the second temperature comprises heating the device to greater than a glass transition temperature for the inner mass.