Abstract:
Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include functionalizing surfaces of carbon-free nanoparticles with one or more functional groups, combining the functionalized nanoparticles with diamond nanoparticles and diamond grit to form a particle mixture, and subjecting the particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond nanoparticles and the diamond grit. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool includes a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.
Abstract:
Flow control devices for regulating fluid flow from a subterranean formation by utilizing materials containing hydrophilic surfaces in a flow path of formation fluids. The flow control device comprises a tubular body, a flow path, and a material having a hydrophilic surface disposed within the flow path to restrict the flow of water. Methods of making and systems utilizing the flow control devices are disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material comprises forming a colloidal dispersion comprising solid particles and a carrier fluid. The colloidal dispersion is mixed with a mined, hydrocarbon-containing material to form an emulsion stabilized by the solid particles. At least one property of the emulsion is modified to destabilize the emulsion. Additional methods of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a mined material, and a stabilized emulsion are also described.
Abstract:
A method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation comprises forming a flooding suspension comprising degradable particles and a carrier fluid. The flooding suspension is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material to form an emulsion stabilized by the degradable particles and remove the emulsion from the subterranean formation. At least a portion of the degradable particles are degraded to destabilize the emulsion. An additional method of obtaining a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation, and a stabilized emulsion are also described.
Abstract:
Cutting elements earth-boring tools may include a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table secured to the substrate. At least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond table may be formed from a plurality of core particles comprising a diamond material and having an average diameter of between 1 μm and 500 μm. A coating material may be adhered to and covering at least a portion of an outer surface of each core particle of the plurality of core particles, the coating material being an amine terminated group. A plurality of nanoparticles selected from the group of carbon nanotubes, nanographite, nanographene, non-diamond carbon allotropes, surface modified nanodiamond, nanoscale particles of BeO, and nanoscale particles comprising a Group VIIIA element may be adhered to the coating material.
Abstract:
A method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises forming a suspension comprising reactive particles and a carrier fluid. The suspension is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material. At least a portion of the reactive particles are exothermically reacted with at least one other material within the subterranean formation to form a treated hydrocarbon material from the hydrocarbon material. The treated hydrocarbon material is extracted from the subterranean formation. An additional method of extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, and a method of treating a hydrocarbon material within a subterranean formation are also described.
Abstract:
Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the formation of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer.
Abstract:
A sample array includes a substrate, a corrosion proxy coupled to the substrate, and at least one test sample coupled to the substrate. The corrosion proxy is formulated and configured to relate to corrosion of material near the sample array. The at least one test sample is formulated and configured to measure at least one of a physical property and a chemical species. A method of characterizing corrosive conditions includes providing a sample array in a subterranean formation, analyzing the corrosion proxy to estimate corrosion, and analyzing the at least one sample to determine a at least one property selected from the group consisting of a physical property and a concentration of a chemical species. Some methods include correlating a location in a borehole with corrosion and at least one of a physical property and concentration of a chemical species.
Abstract:
Removing an asphaltene particle from a substrate includes contacting a silicate nanoparticle with a chemical group to form a functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the chemical group includes a first portion; and a second portion comprising an aromatic moiety or a nonaromatic moiety, the first portion being bonded to the silicate nanoparticle; contacting the asphaltene particle with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle, the asphaltene particle being disposed on the substrate; interposing the functionalized silicate nanoparticle between the asphaltene particle and the substrate; and separating the asphaltene particle from the substrate with the functionalized silicate nanoparticle to remove the asphaltene particle. A composition includes a functionalized silicate nanoparticle comprising a reaction product of a silicate nanoparticle and a functionalization compound; and a fluid. The functionalization compound includes a chemical group that includes a first portion, the first portion being directly bonded to the silicate nanoparticle in the functionalized silicate nanoparticle; and a second portion including an aromatic moiety or a nonaromatic moiety.
Abstract:
Cutting elements for earth-boring applications may include a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond material secured to the substrate. A first region of the polycrystalline diamond material may exhibit a first volume percentage of nanoparticles bonded to diamond grains within the first region. A second region of the polycrystalline diamond material adjacent to the first region may exhibit a second, different volume percentage of nanoparticles bonded to diamond grains within the second region. Methods of making cutting elements for earth-boring applications may involve positioning a first mixture of particles having a first volume percentage of nanoparticles and a second mixture of particles having a second, different volume percentage of nanoparticles within a container. The first and second mixtures of particles may be sintered in the presence of a catalyst material to form a polycrystalline diamond material including intergranular bonds among diamond grains and nanoparticles of the polycrystalline diamond material