Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T11:14:47.315Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of High-Density Brines Using a Compton Scattering Ratio Technique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

Michael L. Samuelson
Affiliation:
Dowell Schlumberger Tulsa, P. O. Box 2710 Tulsa, OK 74101
Stanley B. McCormell
Affiliation:
Dowell Schlumberger Tulsa, P. O. Box 2710 Tulsa, OK 74101
Get access

Abstract

High-density brines are used to control high pressure during oil and gas well operations. These dense brines (15 to 20 lb/gal) are solutions prepared from sale such as calcium chloride, calcium bromide, zinc bromide and/or combinations. During stages of completion, excessive losses of these expensive brines to the production zone can occur. Before the brine is reused in other oil and/or gas well operations, the brine may need to be reweighted. An analysis of the brine composition must be obtained to properly add the correct amount of salts.

Standard addition or internal standardization methods are commonly used in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) applications but negate one of the advantages of XRF-elimination of tedious sample preparation. Scattered X-ray intensity has been used successfully to correct matrix effects in XRF applications. A Compton scatter ratio method is very advantageous for samples having a low atomic number, for which the scattered intensity is high. This paper describes an XRF method for determining Ca, CI, and Zn in high-density brines as well as the matrix correction for Br using a scattered X-ray ratio technique.

Type
VI. Geological and Other Applications of X-Ray Spectrometry
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1990

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Loghry, R. A. and Boyles, W.: “On-site Analysis Improves Heavy Brine Gelation,” Pet. Eng.Intl. (Jan. 1990)42-48.Google Scholar
2. Thomas, D. C., Kinney, W. R., Darlington, R. K., and Lowell, J. L.: “Reduce Completion Fluid Costs with On-site Brine Tests,” World Oil (Sept. 1982) 105-116.Google Scholar
3. Bertin, E. P.: Principles and Practice of X-ray Spectrometry Analysis, second edition, Plenum Press, New York, NY (1975).Google Scholar
4. Takahashi, Y. and Rey, M.: “A Dedicated XRF Analyzer for Sulfur in Oils,” Amer. Laboratory (1983) 15, No. 11, 2742.Google Scholar
5. Renault, J.: “Rapid Determination of Ash in Coal by Compton Scattering, Ca, and Fe X-ray Fluorescence,” Advances in X-ray Analysis, Plenum Press, New York, NY (1979) 23, 4555.Google Scholar
6. Pandey, H. D., Hague, R., and Ramaswamy, V.: “Use of Compton Scattering in X-ray Fluorescence for Determination of Ash in Indian Coal,” Advances in X-ray Analysis, Plenum Press, New York, NY (1980) 24, 323327.Google Scholar
7. Taylor, D. L. and Andermann, G.: “Evaluation of an Isolated Atom Model in the Use of Scattered Radiation for Internal Standardization in X-ray Fluorescence Analysis,” Analy. Chemi. (1971) 43, No. 6, 712.Google Scholar
8. Burkhalter, P. G.: “Radioisotopic X-ray Analysis of Silver Ores Using Compton Scatter for Matrix Compensation,” Anal. Chem. (1971) 43, No. 1, 10.Google Scholar
9. Leyden, D. E.: Fundamentals of X-ray Spectrometry, Tracor X-ray, Inc. (1984) 6465.Google Scholar