Enzymatic method for improving the injectability of polysaccharides

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:864183

Griffith, William L ^[1]; Compere, Alicia L ^[2]; Holleman, James W ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Knoxville, TN

A method for enhancing the ability of polysaccharides in aqueous solution to flow through a porous medium comprises contacting the polysaccharides with an endoenzyme capable of hydrolyzing at least one of the linkages of the sugar units of the polysaccharides and maintaining the polysaccharides in contact with the enzyme under hydrolysis conditions for a time sufficient to decrease the tendency of the polysaccharides to plug the porous medium yet insufficient to decrease the viscosity of the aqueous polysaccharides by more than 25%. The partially hydrolyzed polysaccharides are useful as thickening agents for flooding water used to recover oil from oil-containing subterranean formations.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4326037
• OSTI ID: 864183
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

enzymatic
method
improving
injectability
polysaccharides
enhancing
ability
aqueous
solution
flow
porous
medium
comprises
contacting
endoenzyme
capable
hydrolyzing
linkages
sugar
units
maintaining
contact
enzyme
hydrolysis
conditions
time
sufficient
decrease
tendency
plug
insufficient
viscosity
25
partially
hydrolyzed
useful
thickening
agents
flooding
water
recover
oil
oil-containing
subterranean
formations
partially hydrolyzed
porous medium
subterranean formation
comprises contacting
time sufficient
aqueous solution
medium comprises
subterranean formations
recover oil
enzymatic method
/435/166/