Synthetic caustic composition
An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and water. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.
1. A method of fracking a hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprising:
providing a hydrocarbon-bearing formation;
providing a polymer;
providing a cross-linking activator and adding such to the polymer to form a polymer mixture;
adding to the polymer mixture an aqueous caustic composition comprising:
a caustic component;
an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the aqueous caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and
water;
adding a proppant to the polymer-aqueous caustic composition mixture to form a polymer-proppant composition; and
injecting the polymer-proppant composition into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-linking activator is a borate ion or a zirconate ion.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a guar gum.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is selected from the group consisting of: potassium hydroxide; sodium hydroxide; and combinations thereof.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is glycine.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a caustic component is present in a concentration of up to 40 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 10 wt% to 30 wt% of the composition.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration of between 2% wt% and 25 wt% of the aqueous caustic aqueous caustic composition.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration ranging from 4 wt% to 15 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component and the additive are present in a molar ratio ranging from 15:1 to 5:1.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous caustic composition has a freezing point ranging from −30° C. to −40° C.
12. A method of treating an aqueous solution, comprising:
providing an aqueous caustic composition comprising:
a caustic component present in a concentration of up to 40 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition;
glycine present in a concentration of between 2 wt% and 25 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition; and
water,
where the caustic component and glycine are present in a molar ratio ranging from 15:1 to 5:1 and wherein the aqueous caustic composition is minimally damaging to human skin upon contact therewith for a period of up to 30 minutes;
adding the aqueous caustic composition to the aqueous solution to increase a pH of the aqueous solution.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the caustic component is selected from the group consisting of: potassium hydroxide; sodium hydroxide; and combinations thereof.
14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 10 wt% to 30 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition.
15. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration ranging from 4 wt% to 15 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition.
16. A method of using an aqueous caustic composition to treat a water requiring treatment, comprising:
providing the aqueous caustic composition comprising:
a caustic component present in a concentration of up to 40 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition;
glycine present in a concentration of between 2 wt% and 25 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition; and
water,
wherein the caustic component and glycine are present in a molar ratio ranging from 15:1 to 5:1 and wherein the aqueous caustic composition is minimally damaging to human skin upon contact therewith for a period of up to 30 minutes;
exposing the water requiring treatment to a pre-determined amount of the aqueous caustic composition for a period of time sufficient to affect the treatment intended.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the caustic component is selected from the group consisting of: potassium hydroxide; sodium hydroxide; and combinations thereof.
18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 10 wt% to 30 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition.
19. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration ranging from 4 wt% to 15 wt% of the aqueous caustic composition.