Evaluation of DNA-Embedded Silica Nanoparticle Tracers
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Potential nanoparticle tracers were evaluated for durability at high geological temperatures and during transport through porous media. Nanoparticle tracers are an application of nanotechnology that could have very important applications to the energy industry. Much of the complexity involved in petroleum and geothermal operations revolves around the uncertainty with which one can characterize a reservoir of interest. Existing tools are confined largely to the wellbore, which requires much of the analysis to be inferred from indirect measurements. Nanoparticle tracer technology could enable measurements from within the reservoir, thereby removing a large degree of uncertainty. These sensors could be configured to collect information about the heating or flow characteristics of a geothermal reservoir, or to identify leakage of a hydraulic fracturing operation into surrounding aquifers. Silica was investigated as a potential “shell” to carry nanoparticle sensors. Existing research (Ames, 2011; Alaskar, 2013) indicated that silica spheres have very robust flow characteristics. It has also been demonstrated (Paunescu et al., 2012, 2013; Puddu et al., 2013) that synthetic DNA could be successfully adsorbed onto charged silica nanoparticles, which were subsequently coated with another layer of silica to preserve the DNA in a fossil-like state. These nanoparticles were subjected to temperatures up to 200°C for 15 minutes, and sufficient DNA remained for unequivocal identification. The advantage of DNA is its uniquely identifiable nature, which allows for individual particles to be tagged in a way that guarantees their origin. In addition, the spherical silica nanoparticle shell has a distinct appearance under SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) in comparison to sand fines, which are often coarse. When suspended in liquid water, the particles are invisible to the human eye. The first set of experiments tested solid silica nanoparticles during heating at 198°C for varying lengths of time up to 25 minutes. The second set of experiments flowed solid silica nanoparticles through packed sand at 25°C, 120°C, and 150°C while monitoring permeability changes. The final experiment flowed silica nanoparticles carrying synthetic DNA, which had been adsorbed onto a seed and coated with silica for protection. For all experiments, nanoparticles were sampled and subsequently analyzed with SEM imaging.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Date created | June 2015 |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Manley, Timothy Spencer |
|---|---|
| Primary advisor | Horne, Roland N. |
| Degree granting institution | Stanford University, Department of Energy Resources Engineering |
Subjects
| Subject | School of Earth Energy & Environmental Sciences |
|---|---|
| Genre | Thesis |
Bibliographic information
Access conditions
- Use and reproduction
- User agrees that, where applicable, content will not be used to identify or to otherwise infringe the privacy or confidentiality rights of individuals. Content distributed via the Stanford Digital Repository may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor.
Preferred citation
- Preferred Citation
- Manley, Timothy Spencer. (2015). Evaluation of DNA-Embedded Silica Nanoparticle Tracers. Stanford Digital Repository. Available at: https://purl.stanford.edu/df609vr8556
Collection
Master's Theses, Doerr School of Sustainability
View other items in this collection in SearchWorksContact information
- Contact
- brannerlibrary@stanford.edu
Also listed in
Loading usage metrics...