| abstract |
The invention relates to modified proppants, comprising a proppant particle and a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating localizes on the surface of the proppant particle to produce the modified proppant. The proppant particles can be solids such as sand, bauxite, sintered bauxite, ceramic, or low density proppant. Alternatively or additionally, the proppant particle comprises a resin-coated substrate. Optionally, the modified proppant further comprises an adhesion promoter, optionally affixing the hydrogel coating to the resin-coated substrate. The hydrogel coating preferably comprises a water-swellable polymer. The hydrogel coating can be manufactured form a water soluble polymer. The preferred weight average molecular weight of the polymer is about 1 million g/mol, preferably about 5 million g/mol. |