Synthetic acid and associated methods

Abstract

Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic acid that obviates all the drawbacks of strong acids such as hydrochloric acid. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water, in a weight ratio of approximately 1:1 to 1:1.5. The solution is mixed until the glycine is essentially fully dissolved in the water. Once dissolution is complete, hydrogen chloride gas is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as hydrogen glycine. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting the pH of a fluid, the method comprising adding an effective amount of a solution to the fluid for adjusting the pH thereof to a desired level, wherein the solution is prepared by mixing glycine in water to form a glycine solution; and adding hydrogen chloride to the glycine solution.

Claims

1. A method of making a composition, the method comprising: dissolving 31,800 lbs. of glycine into 32,600-48,600 lbs. of water to generate a solution; and introducing 9,500 liters of hydrogen chloride gas into the solution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dissolving comprises mixing the glycine into the water with the use of an eductor pump.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing is performed with the use of an inline eductor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dissolving is performed with the use of an inline static mixer.

5. A method for treating a surface with a composition, the method comprising: dissolving glycine into water to generate a solution; introducing hydrogen chloride into the solution to generate the composition; and contacting the surface with the composition.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the dissolving comprises mixing the glycine into the water with the use of an eductor pump.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the introducing is performed with the use of an inline eductor.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the dissolving is performed with the use of an inline static mixer.

9. A composition formed from a combination of glycine, water, and hydrogen chloride, the composition having a corrosion level of about 0.04 mmpy.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the ratio of glycine to water is about 1:1 to 1:1.5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(1) A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be presented by way of example.

(2) Glycine is an organic food grade compound having the formula NH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOH. Glycine is a crystalline solid that is known to be used commercially in pharmaceutical applications, as an agent in metal complexing and finishing, as an animal food additive, and in cosmetics.

(3) The current applicant has found a new use for glycine, and that is in the making of a synthetic acid that obviates substantially all the drawbacks of strong acids such as hydrochloric acid.

(4) The new compound is made by introducing glycine to water, for example, by way of an eductor jet pump, until the glycine is fully introduced into the water, in a weight ratio of approximately 1:1 to 1:1.5. For example, in a particular embodiment, when using a 10,000-gal batch reactor, 31,800 lbs. of glycine are dissolved into 32,600-48,600 lbs. of water. The solution is mixed, for example, with an inline static mixer until the glycine is essentially fully dissolved in the water.

(5) Once dissolution is complete, hydrogen chloride gas is introduced, for example, with an inline eductor in the solution to produce the new compound, which will be referred to as hydrogen glycine. In the embodiment outlined above, 9500 liters of hydrogen chloride gas is introduced into the solution.

(6) Although not intended as a limitation on the invention, applicant proposes that the following series of reactions creates the hydrogen glycine:
1NH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOH+1H.sub.2O.fwdarw.1NH.sub.3+CH.sub.2COO.sup.+1H.sub.2O(1)
1NH.sub.3.sup.+CH.sub.2COO.sup.+1HCl.fwdarw.1Cl.sup..NH.sub.3.sup.+CH.sub.2COO.sup..H.sup.+(2)

(7) Although the invention is not intended to be limited to the following explanation, it is theorized that in (1) the amine group deprotonates the carboxylic acid group to yield glycine zwitterions. In reaction (2), the hydrogen cation and chloride anion interact with the glycine. It may be that, owing to the differences in the dissociation constants of the carboxyl group and the amine group, the glycine ion has a stronger affinity for chloride than for hydrogen. The result is a solution with a minimal amount of free chloride ions and a pH typical of a strong acid, thus greatly reducing the corrosivity to near zero. The current composition has a corrosion level of 0.04 mmpy, well below the limit of 6.25 mmpy established in U.S. Federal DOT guidelines to receive a non-corrosive designation. Also, the glycine acts as a buffer, resisting changes to pH much more strongly than is known in traditional acids.

(8) The composition of the present invention thus maintains its strength and pH much longer than is typical for strong acids. Thus less of the present composition is required for a given use as compared with previously known acids, thereby further reducing environmental impact as compared with known traditional strong acids.

(9) It has been found that, not only does the inventive compound serve to replace more acidic and caustic substances, but hydrogen glycine has been found to tame strong acids interacting with substrates, thus reacting in such a manner as would a base, neutralizer, or an inhibitor. For example, when hydrogen chloride is placed on a metal such as aluminum or steel, a violent corrosive reaction takes place, thus gassing off (fuming) and corroding the metal surface. In addition, the fuming itself is corrosive. However, when hydrogen glycine is added to the hydrochloric acid on the metal surface, the reaction is substantially immediately tamed, and the corrosion and fuming stops. This same effect has been noted with other traditional acids such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, urea hydrochloride, and glycolic acid. This corrosion inhibition can be effected in a wide range of concentrations, from 0.05% to 35% hydrogen glycine in acid.

(10) Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of making a synthetic acid comprising mixing glycine in water to form a glycine solution; and adding hydrogen chloride to the glycine solution. In one embodiment, the mixing comprises introducing the glycine into the water with the use of an eductor pump. In another embodiment, the adding comprises introducing the hydrogen chloride in gaseous form to the glycine solution. In yet another embodiment, the introducing comprises using an inline eductor.

(11) The glycine may be mixed in the water in a weight ratio range of 1:1 to 1:1.5 glycine to water. Further, the mixing may be performed with the use of an inline static mixer. In one embodiment, the mixing continues until the glycine is essentially fully dissolved in the water. In another embodiment, the hydrogen chloride gas is added in a molar range of 1:1 to 2:1 glycine to hydrogen chloride.

(12) Other methods in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein include a method of assisting in hydraulic fracturing of an oil or gas well and adjusting the pH of well drilling fluids comprising adding to at least one of the well and the drilling fluid an effective amount of a solution of hydrogen glycine for adjusting the pH thereof to a desired level.

(13) Also disclosed is a method of adjusting the pH of at least one of process and waste waters comprising adding to the at least one of the process and waste waters an effective amount of a solution of hydrogen glycine for adjusting the pH thereof to a desired level.

(14) It is believed that the new compound has a multiplicity of benefits, not the least of which is that the elements are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and non-corrosive, the ingredients being designated as FDA GRAS (generally regarded as safe). As discussed above, the new compound of the present invention can also replace or augment, and is safer to use than, traditional acids, and does not fume during use. Hydrogen glycine is also believed to be able to serve as a replacement for traditional sanitizers and disinfectants such as quaternary ammonia and sodium hypochlorite.