GELATION ADDITIVE FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FLUIDS

摘要

A method of formulating a zirconium lactate compound is accomplished by combining in solution lactic acid or a lactate salt with zirconium carbonate. The reacting solution forms zirconium lactate and carbon dioxide which is evolved as a gas from the solution. This eliminates the need to filter or wash the zirconium lactate in order to remove undesirable by-products. The zirconium lactate can be used as a cross-linking agent for cross-linking aqueous polymer gels used in such things as fracturing fluids for fracturing subterranean formations of oil and gas wells.