Microbial growth inhibiting material and method of forming
The invention includes methods of inhibiting microbial growth in a well. A packing material containing a mixture of a first material and an antimicrobial agent is provided to at least partially fill a well bore. One or more access tubes are provided in an annular space around a casing within the well bore. The access tubes have a first terminal opening located at or above a ground surface and have a length that extends from the first terminal opening at least part of the depth of the well bore. The access tubes have a second terminal opening located within the well bore. An antimicrobial material is supplied into the well bore through the first terminal opening of the access tubes. The invention also includes well constructs.
1 . A method of forming a well packing material comprising:
mixing an antimicrobial agent with one or both of sand and gravel, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises one or more of a dissolved form, a powdered form, a granular form, a pellet form, and a tablet form; and wherein the antimicrobial agent content in the packing material is from about 0.5% to about 30%, by volume.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein at least some of the antimicrobial agent is encapsulated.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises one or more of a chlorine release compound, an antimicrobial amine, and a metal inhibitor.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a powdered form and wherein the mixing comprises coating the one or more of sand and gravel with the powdered form.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a dissolved form, the method further comprising;
adding a solution comprising the dissolved form of antimicrobial agent to the one or both of sand and gravel, wherein the mixing comprises mixing the one or more of sand or gravel with the solution; and
forming a precipitate from the dissolved form of antimicrobial agent, wherein the precipitate forms a coating on the one or more of sand and gravel.
6 . A microbial growth inhibiting material comprising:
at least one of sand or gravel; and
an antimicrobial agent, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises one or more of a precipitate form, a powder form, a tablet form, a granular form, and a pellet form, and comprises one or more of a chlorine releasing compound, an antimicrobial metal, and an antimicrobial amine.
7 . The material of claim 6 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises one or more of a precipitate form and a powder form, and wherein the at least one of sand or gravel is coated with one or both of the precipitate and the powder.
8 . The material of claim 6 wherein at least some of the antimicrobial agent is delayed release.
9 . The material of claim 6 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises a chlorine releasing compound selected from the group consisting of calcium hypochlorites, trichloroisocyanurate, dichloroisocyanurate.
10 . The material of claim 6 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper and zinc
11 . The material of claim 10 wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial amine, wherein the antimicrobial amine is selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonia compounds and N-halamines.
12 . The material of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the antimicrobial agent is encapsulated.