High Density Water-Based Fluids Competition

The Seeker is looking for a high density water-based fluid or brine that does not contain zinc. The density must be greater than 1.9 grams per milliliter and the true crystallization temperature (TCT) must be less than -7 °C. Solutions to this Challenge may encompass a variety of areas, including but not limited to entirely new fluids, additives to known and existing fluids, stable nanoparticle suspensions, water-soluble organic additives, etc..

This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires written documentation and experimental proof-of-concept data, if available. The Seeker will perform experimental testing of proposed solutions to determine if they meet the Solution Requirements stated in the Detailed Description in order to determine the award.

High-density water-based fluids and brines have a variety of industrial and commercial uses from large refrigeration installations to oil and gas production. These fluids are typically near-saturated solutions of chloride, bromide, or formate salts with sodium, zinc, calcium, or cesium. The highest density halide-based fluids contain a mixture of zinc bromide (ZnBr₂) and calcium bromide (CaBr₂) and can reach densities of 2.3 grams per milliliter (g/ml) while liquids with cesium formate (CsHCO₂) can also achieve this density. Unfortunately, regulations regarding Zn²⁺ and the high cost of CsHCO₂ make these fluids unattractive for many uses and thus the Seeker is looking for alternative high-density water-based fluids that do not contain zinc and are cost effective. The target fluid must achieve a density greater than 1.9 g/ml and have a true crystallization temperature (TCT) lower than -7 °C while meeting other specific requirements described in the Detailed Description and Requirements section of this Challenge.