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Downhole ultrasonic well cleaning device

an ultrasonic and well cleaning technology, applied in the direction of cleaning process and apparatus, cleaning using liquids, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of insufficient external electrical power, inconvenient operation, and inability to deliver external electrical power as required in the prior art, so as to improve the efficiency of well cleaning

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-08
SHELL OIL CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] 3) Applying mechanical force to said piezoelectric element when it is desirable to generate ultrasonic excitation to enhance well cleaning.

Problems solved by technology

Well productivity is often impaired by fine particles lodged in restrictions or caked on the wellbore.
Chemical cleaning has limited effectiveness in removal of these materials.
On the other hand delivering external electrical power as required in the prior art requires additional equipment not normally installed in the well.
The prior art does not recognize the opportunity to use the available mechanical force to create electricity to power the down hole ultrasonic device.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0024] Piezoelectric materials transform energy from mechanical to electrical and vice-versa. Piezoelectric materials produce an electric field when exposed to a change in dimension caused by an imposed mechanical force (mechanical to electrical conversion) and conversely, an applied electric field will produce a mechanical stress (electrical to mechanical conversion). These materials can be used for sensing purposes, including actuator and sensor applications.

[0025] In the present invention a downhole ultrasonic well cleaning device is powered by an apparatus that converts mechanical force into electrical energy, preferably a piezoelectric generator. Both are installed or inserted within the completion equipment of any structure where the caking of particles may affect productivity. The preferred application is in cleaning wells and subterranean formations. The ultrasonic generator and piezoelectric element would be placed within the completion equipment (e.g. pipeline, tubing, pa...

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PUM

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Abstract

Disclosed is a cleaning apparatus for any structure where caking of particles may affect productivity, particularly a subterranean formation or wellbore, characterized in that it requires no external electrical source and includes the following elements: At least one ultrasonic energy sonde for converting an alternating electric power signal at a selected voltage into ultrasound energy; At least one ultrasonic generator that conditions electrical power to the signal required to energize the ultrasonic energy sonde; At least one apparatus which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, preferably a piezoelectric generator, in a configuration and with appropriate circuitry to provide electrical power to said ultrasonic generator(s); and A means for applying mechanical force to said apparatus to generate electricity to power said generator.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to downhole cleaning using an ultrasonic device. More particularly, this invention relates to downhole cleaning utilizing ultrasonic generator(s) powered by piezoelectric element(s), not requiring external electric power. The ultrasonic generator and piezoelectric element are placed within the completion equipment and the piezoelectric element(s) is normally in an unstrained state, generating no electrical current, but when subjected to mechanical force, it generates electricity to power the ultrasonic device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Well productivity is often impaired by fine particles lodged in restrictions or caked on the wellbore. Chemical cleaning has limited effectiveness in removal of these materials. Ultrasonic devices have been shown to enhance cleaning and particle separation from liquids. Current downhole ultrasonic cleaning devices are powered by external electric sources connected to the device by wires or cabl...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B08B3/12B08B7/02B08B9/04E21B28/00E21B37/00E21B41/00
CPCB08B3/12B08B7/02E21B41/0085E21B28/00E21B37/00B08B9/0436
Inventor MORGENTHALER, LEE NICKY
Owner SHELL OIL CO
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