Antimicrobial Resin Coated Proppants

Abstract

The invention relates to polymeric coatings on proppants. These coatings have antimicrobial materials incorporated within these coatings. Preferably the antimicrobial materials have low water solubility. These antimicrobial agents are incorporated as particles whose surfaces are modified or these may also be incorporated within porous particles which are then added to the coating formulations. The antimicrobially active agents are incorporated in a fashion so that they can be released from these coatings in the environment of the proppants.

1 . A proppant which is coated with a polymeric coating containing within the said coating particles of an antimicrobial material. 
     
     
         2 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial material comprises a metal compound. 
     
     
         3 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the average size of the said particles of an antimicrobial material is less than about 1,000 nm. 
     
     
         4 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the average size of the said particles of an antimicrobial material is less than about 300 nm 
     
     
         5 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the surfaces of the said particles of an antimicrobial material are chemically modified with agents having a molecular weight of at least 60. 
     
     
         6 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the said particles of an antimicrobial material have low water solubility. 
     
     
         7 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 2 , wherein the metal compound is a compound of an oligodynamic metal. 
     
     
         8 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 7 , wherein the compound of an oligodynamic metal is selected from at least one of a copper compound and a zinc compound. 
     
     
         9 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 8 , wherein the said copper compound is selected from Copper(I) iodide; Copper(I) chloride; Copper(I) bromide; Copper(I) acetate; Copper(I) sulfide; and Copper(I) thiocyanate, copper oxide and the said zinc compound is zinc pyrithione. 
     
     
         10 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the said polymeric coating comprises at least one of epoxy, phenolic, silicone, urethane, polyester and alkyd materials. 
     
     
         11 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the proppant and the coating form a core-shell configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the said particles of an antimicrobial material are pre-formed prior to introducing them into the coating 
     
     
         13 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , wherein the said particles of an antimicrobial material are introduced into the composition used to form the said polymeric coating. 
     
     
         14 . A proppant with a polymeric coating as in  claim 1 , which releases an active agent into the environment of the proppant. 
     
     
         15 . A composition for coating proppants, wherein such composition comprises an antimicrobial metal compound and at least one of a polymer and a polymer precursor. 
     
     
         16 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the said antimicrobial metal compound has low water solubility and is introduced in the said composition as surface modified preformed particles. 
     
     
         17 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the metal in said antimicrobial metal compound is selected from at least one oligodynamic metal. 
     
     
         18 . A composition as in  claim 15 , wherein the said antimicrobial metal compound is selected from silver halide, Copper(I) iodide; Copper(I) chloride; Copper(I) bromide; Copper(I) acetate; Copper(I) sulfide; and Copper(I) thiocyanate, copper oxide and zinc pyrithione. 
     
     
         19 . A proppant coated with a polymeric coating wherein (i) the said polymeric coating contains an antimicrobial compound and (ii) the said coated proppant provides antimicrobial activity by release of an active agent into the environment of the proppant. 
     
     
         20 . A proppant with a coating as in  claim 19 , wherein the said antimicrobial compound has low water solubility and is introduced in the said coating as preformed particles. 
     
     
         21 . A proppant with a coating as in  claim 19 , wherein the said antimicrobial compound is incorporated in porous particles, and the said porous particles are then incorporated in the said coating.