Methods and compositions relating to the hydrolysis of water-hydrolysable materials

Abstract

Treatments fluids relating to the hydrolysis of water-hydrolysable materials are provided. In one embodiment, provided is a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous liquid, a water-miscible solvent, and a water-hydrolysable material. Also provided is a hydrolysis retarder composition that comprises an aqueous liquid and a water-miscible solvent.

1 . A treatment fluid comprising an aqueous liquid, a water-miscible solvent, and a water-hydrolysable material.  
     
     
         2 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-miscible solvent comprises at least one of the following: an alcohol, a glycol, an ether, an ester, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-miscible solvent comprises at least one of the following: methanol, a propylene glycol, an ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, a propylene carbonate, ethylene glycol monomethyl acetate, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-miscible solvent is present in an amount sufficient to delay hydrolysis of the water-hydrolysable material.  
     
     
         5 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the treatment fluid further comprises a gelling agent.  
     
     
         6 . The treatment fluid of  claim 5  wherein the gelling agent comprises at least one of the following: a biopolymer, a galactomannan gum, a modified cellulose, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The treatment fluid of  claim 5  wherein the gelling agent comprises a cellulose grafted with an allyl or a vinyl monomer.  
     
     
         8 . The treatment fluid of  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of the gelling agent is crosslinked.  
     
     
         9 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-hydrolysable material is present in the treatment fluid in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the treatment fluid.  
     
     
         10 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-hydrolysable material is capable of releasing an acid.  
     
     
         11 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-hydrolysable material comprises at least one of the following: a degradable polymer, a lactide, a lactone, an ester, a dehydrated compound, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-hydrolysable material comprises a poly(lactic acid).  
     
     
         13 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-hydrolysable material comprises at least one of the following: a polysaccharide; a chitin; a chitosan; a protein; an aliphatic polyester; a poly(lactic acid); a poly(glycolide); a poly(ε-caprolactone); a poly(hydroxybutyrate); a poly(anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; a poly(orthoester); a poly(amino acid); a poly(ethylene oxide); a polyphosphazene; a polyvinyl alcohol; or a copolymer thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The treatment fluid of  claim 1  wherein the water-hydrolysable material comprises a blend of poly(lactic acid) and a lactide.  
     
     
         15 . A treatment fluid comprising: 
 an aqueous liquid,    a water-miscible solvent,    a water-hydrolysable material capable of releasing an acid, and    a gelling agent comprising a cellulose grafted with an allyl or a vinyl monomer.    
     
     
         16 . The treatment fluid of  claim 15  wherein at least a portion of the gelling agent is crosslinked.  
     
     
         17 . The treatment fluid of  claim 15  wherein the cellulose grafted with an allyl or a vinyl monomer is hydroxyethyl cellulose grafted with vinyl phosphonic acid.  
     
     
         18 . A hydrolysis retarder composition comprising an aqueous liquid, and a water-miscible solvent.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the water-miscible solvent comprises at least one of the following: an alcohol, a glycol, an ether, an ester, or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the water-miscible solvent is present in an amount sufficient to delay hydrolysis of the water-hydrolysable material.