The encapsulated gel breaker is an advanced chemical designed for oilfield fracturing applications. It is manufactured using specialized granulation techniques combined with air-suspension encapsulation technology, forming a polymer coating around conventional ammonium persulfate gel breakers. This protective layer effectively prevents premature water penetration, enabling controlled and delayed activation of the active components.
Compared with traditional products, this encapsulated system offers enhanced protection during the early stages of fracturing. After the operation, the active ingredients can be released in a concentrated manner under formation closure stress. In situations where stress-triggered release is limited, the breaker can also be activated through temperature-induced dissolution, ensuring complete degradation of the fracturing fluid.
The product demonstrates excellent performance in terms of temperature adaptability, anti-permeability, and delayed-release capability. Key advantages include efficient and thorough gel breaking, rapid viscosity reduction, smooth flowback, and improved reservoir permeability. During fracturing, the fluid maintains high viscosity, which supports effective fracture propagation and proppant transport. Once the operation is completed, the fluid breaks down completely, facilitating flowback and minimizing formation damage. It is particularly effective in breaking filter cakes and treating concentrated fluids within propped fractures, thereby preserving fracture conductivity and enhancing oil and gas productivity.
Key Technical Specifications:
The performance of encapsulated gel breakers is typically evaluated through five primary technical indicators:
1. Appearance
The product appears as uniform white or light yellow granules, indicating consistent coating quality.
2. Effective Content
This parameter represents the proportion of active gel breaker encapsulated within the particles. It is critical for evaluating the actual active material available for release and should be included in release rate calculations. Although current standard Q/SH 1025 0591-2009 does not specify this requirement, incorporating this index is recommended for more accurate performance assessment.
3. Particle Size Distribution
According to Q/SH 1025 0591-2009, the particle size should fall within 0.425 mm to 0.850 mm, with at least 80% of particles within this range. Proper sizing ensures uniform dispersion and predictable release behavior.
4. Release Rate
The release rate is defined as the percentage of active material released from the capsule under specified conditions. Release behavior is influenced by multiple factors:
(1) Low pressure: dominated by osmotic release
(2) High pressure: dominated by mechanical extrusion, with osmotic contribution
(3) High temperature: significantly enhances osmotic release
The standard requires a minimum release rate of 60% at 30 MPa.
5. Viscosity Retention Rate
This index measures the ratio of the viscosity of fracturing fluid containing the breaker to that of a base fluid under the same conditions. It is essential for evaluating the impact on fluid rheology and proppant-carrying capacity, and serves as a guideline for dosage optimization in field applications.
Technical Advantages and Manufacturing Capability:
The product incorporates proprietary crystal regranulation technology, which addresses common issues such as irregular particle shape, low coating efficiency, and insufficient compressive strength. Additionally, an optimized formulation enhances the hardness and resistance of the capsule core to temperature, pressure, and shear forces.
The company operates a comprehensive production system, including multiple crystal regranulation and shot blasting lines, a granulation drying line, several fluidized bed coating units, and a pilot-scale coating facility. The total annual production capacity reaches 2,000 tons, ensuring reliable supply for large-scale operations.
Encapsulated gel breakers provide a controlled “protect-then-release” mechanism that optimizes fracturing fluid performance throughout the operation. By maintaining fluid viscosity during pumping and ensuring efficient post-treatment gel breaking, they reduce reservoir damage, improve fracture conductivity, and ultimately contribute to enhanced hydrocarbon recovery.
We Weifang Totpion Chemical Industry Co.,Ltd are the professional encapsulated gel breaker and capsulated sustained-release additives production enterprises and supplier. Please visit our website www.toptionchem.com for more information. If you have any requirement, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Post time: Apr-21-2026