APPLICATIONS
Oil and Gas Industry
Current commercial applications are focused on Oil & Gas drilling. However, because of the inherent properties of nanomaterials and the flexibility of our manufacturing process, we are looking to develop partnerships that explore the technology’s potential in the other Oil & gas applications as shown below.
Cementing
Nanoparticles can be used in well cementing to accelerate the cement hydration process because of their high reactivity and ultra-fine nature.
Cementing
Incorporation of nanoparticles into cement slurry gives enhanced mechanical properties, lower porosity and permeability, which are crucial factors for increased durability.
Foam stability
Foamed systems are used in a variety of oil and gas applications from stimulation to enhanced oil recovery.
Foam stability
Nanoparticles can be utilized to enhance foam bubble stability by reducing coalescence and minimizing drainage.
Sour Gas Scavenging
H2S is a lethal, colorless, and odorless gas that can be found in many oil and gas wells around the world.
Sour Gas Scavenging
With an increase in oil and gas drilling, safety continues to be a primary concern. When functionalized, nanoparticles can react with the sour gas molecules and convert them to a precipitate that can then be removed from the system.
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Nanotechnology has shown promising results in Enhanced Oil Recovery and is a subject of on-going research.
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Nanotechnology improves EOR processes by a variety of mechanisms, which include decrease of interfacial tension, increase in mobility ratio or changes to the reservoir permeability.
Catalysts
Nanoparticles have a higher surface area so there is increased catalytic activity because more catalytic reactions can occur at the same time.
Catalysts
Nanoparticle catalysts can also be easily separated and recycled with more retention of catalytic activity than their bulk counterparts.
Corrosion control
Nanoparticles are capable of producing non-wetting surfaces that prevent adsorption of aqueous media whilst minimizing contact with coatings and their under layers.
Corrosion control
Nanotechnology can also bring new tools for corrosion protection related to superior corrosion resistant coatings, corrosion inhibitors and as nano-reservoirs for delivering inhibitors.
Coil Tubing Lubrication
Reducing friction in deep wells is always a goal in order to achieve faster drilling and longer reach in the production zone.
Coil Tubing Lubrication
Nanoparticle coatings can produce smoother finished surfaces that would reduce the sliding friction in coiled tubing or other similar applications.
Polymer extraction
The use of polymer in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) does not come without the associated problems of produced oil and water management and water discharge restrictions.
Polymer extraction
Nanoparticles can be used in EOR not only to aid recovery but also to aid the separation of various water soluble polymers.
Re-Fracturing
Re-fracturing the pay zone of oil and gas wells has the potential to reduce well decline and extend the productive life.
Re-Fracturing
Nanoparticles can be used to seal off existing fracture networks and flow paths, whilst allowing fracturing of new oil bearing channels and the production of previously trapped hydrocarbons.
Oil & Water Separation
Nanoparticles with optimized surface chemistry can be used as coatings that are selective for either oil or water.
Oil & Water Separation
Additionally, magnetic nanoparticles added to emulsions will adsorb to the oil-water interface, allowing for quick phase separation with the application of a magnetic field.
Tracers
Due to their small size and high surface activity, nanoparticles can serve as effective tracers for testing connectivity.
Tracers
Nanoparticles can be modified with unique tags that allow for accurate detection and quantification at concentrations as low as parts per billion.
CONTACT US
nFluids Inc.
253147 Bearspaw Rd
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3L 2P5
Mon – Fri | 9:00 – 17:00 MT
Weekend | Holidays – May vary
Business Development | Investor Relations :
Business Operations | Research & Development :
Hai Wang
Phone Number: 587.892.3631
E-mail: [email protected]
APPLICATIONS
Other Industries
nFluids is constantly looking for opportunities to bring our nanotechnology to a variety of other industries, such as those shown below.
Ferromagenetic Fluids
Stable dispersions of nano-sized iron oxide nanoparticles (e.g. magnetite) suspended in a carrier fluid exhibit strongly magnetized properties in the presence of an external magnetic field (superparamagnetic).
Ferromagenetic Fluids
This unique property is utilized, for example, in magnetic seals where ferrofluid is held in place by magnets and forms a barrier that keeps out moisture, dust and debris. This property is also utilized in vehicle suspension systems.
Composites
Nanoparticles can be dispersed in ceramics, metals, and polymers during processing to create composite materials.
Composites
These materials can exhibit enhanced mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties at low nanoparticle concentrations due to their large particle-matrix interfacial area
Medical Services
Due to extreme size difference between nanoparticles and living cells, nanotechnology has shown great promise in medical applications.
Medical Devices
For example, nanoparticles can act as carriers for therapeutic drug molecules carrying them to the desired location within a patient’s body.
Surface Coatings
Surface coatings containing nanoparticles offer a number of unique advantages that have found commercial applications.
Surface Coatings
Nano-sized particles can be used to produce water-repellant, self-cleaning surfaces that mimic the “Lotus effect” found in nature.
Agriculture
The use of nanotechnology in agriculture has the potential to address global challenges associated with population growth, climate change and plant nutrient deficiencies.
Agriculture
Nanotechnology has the potential to reduce the use of conventional plant protection products, improve nutrient uptake in fertilization and enhance crop yields.
Heat Transfer Fluids
‘Smart’ heat transfer fluids containing stabilized nanoparticles exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficients compared to conventional coolants.
Heat Transfer Fluids
‘Smart’ heat transfer fluids containing stabilized nanoparticles exhibit enhanced thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficients compared to conventional coolants.
Lubricants
Adding nanoparticles to lubricants enhances their ability to conduct heat, lubricate and protect from wear-and-tear.
Lubricants
These are important properties in automotive industry as better lubricants result in reduced engine wear, lower noise, and better and longer engine performance.
CONTACT US
nFluids Inc.
253147 Bearspaw Rd
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3L 2P5
Mon – Fri | 9:00 – 17:00 MT
Weekend | Holidays – May vary
Business Development | Investor Relations :
Business Operations | Research & Development :
Hai Wang
Phone Number: 587.892.3631
E-mail: [email protected]