Abstract: A system includes: a plurality of syringe pumps that provide an aqueous solution including a stabilizer, a non-aqueous solution including a polymer dissolved in an organic liquid, and a curing agent; a microchannel network; and an evaporation unit that provides an elevated temperature so that the organic liquid in the emulsion evaporates and microcapsules form. The microchannel network includes: a plurality of channels that separately receive the aqueous solution and the non-aqueous solution from the syringe pumps; and at least one channel junction where the aqueous solution and the non-aqueous solution mix to form an emulsion. Each of the microcapsules has a shell including the polymer and a core including the curing agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inertial cavitation inception at high static pressures are disclosed. The methods may include installing an apparatus in a borehole, wherein the apparatus includes a cavitation chamber configured to enhance an amplitude of acoustic waves, an acoustic source configured to emit focused acoustic waves into the cavitation chamber, and a fluid channel configured to dispense a fluid into the cavitation chamber. The methods may further include activating the acoustic source in the cavitation chamber, dispensing the fluid into the cavitation chamber, and dispensing an epoxy resin into a fracture in the borehole.

Abstract: A well treatment composition includes a bio-based agent, a polymer shell encapsulating the bio-based agent, and a cationic macromolecule deposited on the polymer shell. A method for producing microcapsules containing a bio-based agent includes forming a first aqueous phase which includes a bio-based agent and a polymerization mixture, mixing the first aqueous phase with an oil phase at a junction producing emulsions, polymerizing the polymerization mixture to form a polymer shell encapsulating the bio-based agent, depositing a cationic macromolecule onto the polymer shell utilizing a second aqueous phase to form a microcapsule, and optionally post-treating the microcapsules with a post-treatment. A method for treating a formation includes introducing a well treatment composition into a wellbore, the well treatment composition adhering to downhole surfaces, releasing a bio-based agent from the well treatment composition, and the bio-based agent performing an intended action downhole.

Abstract: A system and method for making and using proppant particles includes an exemplary proppant particle which includes a composite of a precipitated polymer matrix and a plant-based material, wherein the precipitated polymer matrix includes a thermoplastic, and wherein the plant-based material includes microparticles.

Abstract: A well treatment composition may include a capsule and a treatment agent solution within the capsule. The treatment agent solution may have a treatment agent. The system may include a radiation source: neutron, gamma, X-ray, and/or ultraviolet. A method may include introducing the well treatment composition downhole in wellbore circulation fluid, and introducing a radiation source into the wellbore and positioning the radiation source. The method may include activating the radiation source and emitting radiation that intermingles with the well treatment composition at a target location. The method may include maintaining the wellbore to allow emitted radiation from the activated radiation source to react with the well treatment composition, forming a radiation activated well treatment composition. The method may include allowing the radiation activated well treatment composition to disintegrate or dissolve, breaking encapsulation and releasing treatment agent at the target location.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting trace metal anomalies in soil. Soil samples are collected from an area of interest. The soil samples are prepared such that particle size and moisture content of each soil sample is normalized. An extraction solution having an amount of a carboxylic acid, an amount of a chelating agent, and an amount of a strong base is prepared. Using the extraction solution, a soil extract is obtained from each soil sample. Using a spectral instrument, a spectral analysis of each soil extract is performed to detect a chemical element. Based on the spectral analysis, presence of a hydrocarbon microseepage in the area of interest is determined.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin includes a plurality of polymer resin particles which include a plurality of pores. The plurality of particles include an acid surface functionalization group and include a recycled thermoplastic polymer. A method for producing ion exchange resins includes dissolving a polymer and an emulsion stabilizer in a first solvent forming a dissolved polymer phase, mixing a removable matrix filler with the dissolved polymer phase to form a polymer mixture, forming an emulsion in a microfluidic device from the polymer mixture and a second solvent, precipitating a polymer composite which includes dispersed removable matrix fill in the microfluidic device, removing the dispersed removable matrix filler and forming precursor particles, and surface modifying the precursor particles, forming the ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A method of making a core-shell ion-exchange resin that includes: dissolving a first polymer waste to form a core polymer solution; dissolving a second polymer waste to form a shell polymer solution immiscible with the core polymer solution; feeding the core polymer solution into an internal nozzle inside an external nozzle; feeding the shell polymer solution into the external nozzle, to a gap between the internal nozzle and the external nozzle; ejecting the core polymer solution from the internal nozzle, forming a laminar flow including the two polymer solutions; vibrating the external nozzle; ejecting the laminar flow from the external nozzle, the vibrating breaking the laminar flow and forming a droplet having a core including the core polymer solution and a shell including the shell polymer solution; and forming, from the droplet, a core-shell ion-exchange resin with a shell including functional groups capable of ion exchange in a solution.

Abstract: A system and method for making and using proppant particles is provided. An exemplary proppant particle includes a composite of a precipitated polymer matrix and a plant-based material, wherein the precipitated polymer matrix includes a thermoplastic, and wherein the plant-based material includes microparticles.

Abstract: A system for treating a lost circulation zone within a wellbore that includes a treatment sub 300 is provided. The treatment sub includes a communications device 336, an internal fluid conduit 1016 configured to convey a wellbore fluid through the treatment sub, and the interior 327 of the treatment sub 300 is between a sub exterior surface 328 and the internal fluid conduit 1016. The treatment sub 300 also includes a sonic frequency source 352 configured to generate a sonic frequency within a wellbore fluid. Further provided are methods of using the system to treat loss circulation zones.

Abstract: Microcapsule encapsulated microcapsule (MIM) material compositions and methods for preparing the same are provided for self-repairing cements that include a plurality of first microcapsules where each of the first microcapsule comprises a first core and a first shell and a plurality of second microcapsules that each comprise a second core and a second shell where the plurality of second microcapsules are dispersed within a continuous phase comprised within the first core of each of the first microcapsules. The MIM material may be prepared such that the first and second shell comprise a cross-linked material. Compositions for self-healing cement slurries are also provided and include cement, sand, water, and microcapsule encapsulated microcapsules (MIM) materials.

Abstract: A system for treating a lost circulation zone within a wellbore that includes a treatment sub 300 is provided. The treatment sub 300 includes a communications device, an internal fluid conduit 1016 configured to convey a wellbore fluid through the treatment sub 100, and the interior 327 of the treatment sub 300 is between a sub exterior surface 328 and the internal fluid conduit 1016. The treatment sub 300 also includes a radiation source 352 configured to generate a form of radiation within a wellbore fluid. Further provided are methods of using the system to treat loss circulation zones.

Abstract: Fracturing subterranean formation to produce hydrocarbons requires fracturing fluids. These fluids contain proppant particles. A system and method for making and using ultralight weight proppant particles includes a composite of a precipitated polymer matrix and a plant-based material, wherein the precipitated polymer matrix includes a thermoplastic, and wherein the plant-based material includes microparticles.

Abstract: A system and a method for purifying a produced water using a nanomembrane formed from polymeric waste are provided. The method includes placing the nanomembrane into an aqueous solution, wherein a surface of the nanomembrane is functionalized with carboxyl groups. Carbon dioxide is injected into the aqueous solution, and bivalent alkaline earth cations are adsorbed on the surface of the nanomembrane in the presence of carbonate ions (CO32?) to form carbonate crystals on the surface of the nanomembrane.

Abstract: A well treatment composition may include a capsule and a treatment agent solution within the capsule. The treatment agent solution may have a treatment agent. The system may include a radiation source: neutron, gamma, X-ray, and/or ultraviolet. A method may include introducing the well treatment composition downhole in wellbore circulation fluid, and introducing a radiation source into the wellbore and positioning the radiation source. The method may include activating the radiation source and emitting radiation that intermingles with the well treatment composition at a target location. The method may include maintaining the wellbore to allow emitted radiation from the activated radiation source to react with the well treatment composition, forming a radiation activated well treatment composition. The method may include allowing the radiation activated well treatment composition to disintegrate or dissolve, breaking encapsulation and releasing treatment agent at the target location.

Abstract: Some microcapsule forming systems include a first container containing a core material; a second container containing a shell material; one or more heaters in mechanical contact with the first and second containers; a first pair of syringe pumps operable to pump the heated core material from the first container to an encapsulation cell; a second pair of syringe pumps operable to pump the heated shell material from the first container to the encapsulation cell; a controller for controlling the one or more heaters and the first and second pair of syringe pumps; the encapsulation cell comprising a first nozzle disposed concentrically within a second nozzle, the first nozzle operable to form a sphere using the heated and pumped core material and the second nozzle operable to form a shell surrounding the sphere using the heated and pumped shell material to form a microcapsule.

Abstract: A microfluidic system (100) may include a set of replaceable microfluidic cartridges (3), each having a mechanically rigid box (202) and a set of parallel microfluidic capillaries (6), and a cooling system (216) that is in thermal contact with the mechanically rigid box (202). A gas stream may flow through the capillaries (6), and an aqueous fluid stream may flow through a space (5) in between an inner surface of the mechanically rigid box (202) and an outer surface of the set of capillaries (6). A method may include providing such a microfluidic system (100), introducing a gas stream through capillaries (6), introducing an aqueous fluid stream to flow through the space (5), generating gas bubbles (218) in the aqueous fluid stream through the capillaries (6), saturating the aqueous fluid stream with gas bubbles (218), recirculating the remaining undissolved gas through a dedicated contour tube and transferring the gas containing the aqueous fluid stream to an external storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for making and using proppant particles is provided. An exemplary proppant particle includes a composite of a precipitated polymer matrix and a plant-based material, wherein the precipitated polymer matrix includes a thermoplastic, and wherein the plant-based material includes microparticles.

Abstract: Microcapsule encapsulated microcapsule (MIM) material compositions and methods for preparing the same are provided for self-repairing cements that include a plurality of first microcapsules where each of the first microcapsule comprises a first core and a first shell and a plurality of second microcapsules that each comprise a second core and a second shell where the plurality of second microcapsules are dispersed within a continuous phase comprised within the first core of each of the first microcapsules. The MIM material may be prepared such that the first and second shell comprise a cross-linked material. Compositions for self-healing cement slurries are also provided and include cement, sand, water, and microcapsule encapsulated microcapsules (MIM) materials.

Abstract: A method for wellbore treatment. The method including preparing an encapsulated treatment agent via polymerization, feeding the encapsulated treatment agent into the wellbore, delivering the encapsulated treatment agent to a desired depth within a formation in the wellbore, activating an acoustic or an electromagnetic source at the desired depth within the formation, and generating an acoustic field or an electromagnetic field. The acoustic field or electromagnetic field activates the encapsulant thereby releasing the treatment agent into the wellbore and a desired depth.