Power charge ignition device
By using gradient hybrid power charge during drilling, the problems of uneven energy release of high-energy materials and unstable signal transmission when setting up the bridge plug are solved, and operation efficiency and safety are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202080057446.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-08-13
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-13
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-08-13
AI Technical Summary
During drilling, setting up a bridge plug requires a large force, especially when activating high-energy materials such as pyrotechnics to provide the energy required to set up a bridge plug, traditional methods have problems such as instability in signal transmission and uneven energy release, which affects the impact of Operational efficiency and safety.
Using power charge with gradient mixing, including a combination of main propellant and ignition propellant, the propagation index is appropriately different, and through the gradient distribution of the ignition propellant, ensuring uniform energy release and signal transmission reliability .
It improves the uniformity of energy release and operation reliability when setting up the bridge plug, reduces the force requirements for operators, and enhances the safety and efficiency of downhole tools.
Smart Images
Figure CN114286884B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Related Applications
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 886,197, filed on August 13, 2019, entitled “Powered Charge Ignition Device.” Background Art
[0003] Typically, when completing a well below the Earth's surface for the production of fluids, minerals or gases from a subterranean reservoir, several types of tubulars are placed downhole as part of the drilling, exploration and completion process. These tubulars may include casing, conduit, tubing, liners and devices that are conveyed downhole through various types of tubulars. Each well is unique, so a combination of different tubulars may be lowered into the well for a variety of purposes.
[0004] A well below the surface or in the earth passes through one or more formations. A formation is a body of rock or formation that contains one or more components. The formation is considered a continuum. Hydrocarbon deposits may be present within the formation. Typically, a wellbore will be drilled from a surface location and holes will be drilled into the target formation. Completion equipment will be in place, including casing, conduit, and other downhole equipment as needed. Perforating the casing and formation with a perforating gun is a method well known in the art for accessing hydrocarbon deposits within the formation from the wellbore.
[0005] Setting tools can be used for many applications, including setting a bridge plug. A bridge plug is typically introduced or carried into an oil or gas well below the formation on a pipe, such as an electric line, wire, continuous conduit, threaded work string, etc., for engagement at a preselected location within the well along another pipe having an internal smooth inner wall, such as casing. The bridge plug is typically inflated and seated within the casing. The bridge plug effectively seals one portion of the casing from another portion. After the bridge plug is installed, several different completion operations may begin, including perforating and fracturing. Sometimes, a series of plugs are set in an operation called "plug and perforate" in which several sections of the casing are perforated in sequence.
[0006] Setting a bridge plug typically requires setting a "slide" mechanism that engages and locks the bridge plug with the casing and, in the case of the bridge plug, energizing the packing elements. This requires significant force, often in excess of 20,000 pounds. The activation or operation of some setting tools involves activating an energetic material, such as a pyrotechnic charge, called a kinetic charge, to provide the energy necessary to set the bridge plug. The energetic material may use a relatively slow burning chemical reaction to produce a high pressure gas. The Baker International Corporation Model E-4 Wireline Pressure Setting Tool is such a setting tool, sometimes referred to as the Baker Setting Tool.
[0007] The transmitter head may also be used in conjunction with the setting tool. The transmitter head is used to trigger the setting. The transmitter head may be activated by an electrical signal. Power may be provided by a cable that is tied to a cable connector at the top of the tool string. The electrical signal may have to pass through several components, connectors, and tools before reaching the transmitter head. A reliable electrical connector is needed to ensure that the electrical signal can be easily passed from one component to the next as it moves down the tool string. The electrical signal is usually grounded relative to the tool string casing. Therefore, the electrical connection must be insulated from the tool component, which is in electrical contact with the tool string casing. Summary of the invention
[0008] An exemplary embodiment may include a power charge having a tubular housing having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, a main propellant within the housing proximate the midsection, the midsection including the main propellant, and a first ignition portion within the housing proximate the first end including a first mixture consisting of the main propellant and the ignition propellant.
[0009] A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant having a propagation index of 1.5 or greater and a main propellant having a propagation index of 1.5 or less. A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant having a propagation index of 2.0 or greater. A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant having a propagation index of 2.75 or greater. A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include a first ignition propellant containing boronized potassium nitrate. A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include a first mixture consisting of a main propellant and an ignition propellant, the first mixture having a gradient with the dominant ignition propellant transitioning toward the first end and away from the first end to a predominant main propellant. A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include a gradient from 90% or more of the ignition propellant near the first end to 10% or less of the ignition propellant away from the first end. A variation of the exemplary embodiment may include a first ignition portion extending from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches from the first end. Variations of this exemplary embodiment may include an ignition portion extending from the end of the housing approximately 12.5% to 25% of the length of the housing. Variations of this exemplary embodiment may include a first ignition portion that is approximately 1.50% of the power charge by weight.
[0010] An exemplary embodiment may include a power charge having a tubular housing having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, a main propellant within the housing proximate the midsection, the midsection including the main propellant, a first ignition portion within the housing proximate the first end including a first mixture consisting of the main propellant and the ignition propellant, and a second ignition portion within the housing proximate the second end including a second mixture consisting of the main propellant and the ignition propellant.
[0011] Variations of the exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant having a propagation index of 1.5 or greater and a main propellant having a propagation index of 1.5 or less. The exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant having a propagation index of 2.0 or greater. The exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant having a propagation index of 2.75 or greater. The exemplary embodiment may include an ignition propellant containing boron potassium nitrate. The exemplary embodiment may include a first mixture consisting of a main propellant and an ignition propellant, the first mixture having a gradient with a predominant ignition propellant toward a first end and transitioning to a predominant main propellant away from the first end, and a second mixture consisting of a main propellant and an ignition propellant, the second mixture having a gradient with a predominant ignition propellant toward a second end and transitioning to a predominant main propellant away from the second end. The exemplary embodiment may include a first gradient ranging from 90% or more of the ignition propellant near the first end to 10% or less of the ignition propellant away from the first end, and a second gradient ranging from 90% or more of the ignition propellant near the second end to 10% or less of the ignition propellant away from the second end. The exemplary embodiment may include a first ignition portion extending between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches from the first end and a second ignition portion extending between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches from the second end. The exemplary embodiment may include an ignition portion extending from the end of the housing approximately 12.5% to 25% of the length of the housing. The exemplary embodiment may include the first ignition portion and the second ignition portion, the sum of the first ignition portion and the second ignition portion being approximately 3.0% of the power charge by weight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals represent the same or similar elements throughout the several figures of the drawings. In short:
[0013] Figure 1A A side cross-sectional view of the power charge is shown.
[0014] Figure 1B A side cross-sectional view of the power charge is shown.
[0015] Figure 2 A side cross-sectional view of a setting tool with a power charge is shown.
[0016] Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of a setting tool with a power charge is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In the following description, certain terms are used for brevity, clarity and example. This is not meant to be unnecessarily limiting, and these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly interpreted. The various devices, systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other devices, systems and method steps. It is contemplated that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
[0018] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary setting tool is shown having electrical connections 201, an igniter 203, a power charge 101, and a piston 204. In operation, a signal through electrical connections 201 triggers the igniter 203 to emit heat and, typically, a flame. The output of the igniter 203 ignites the propellant in the power charge 101 through path 202, which generates pressure that ultimately drives the piston 204 to drive a tool, such as a wellbore plug. Sometimes, a second material, such as pyrodex, is placed in the ignition path between the igniter and the power charge to improve the reliability of ignition transfer.
[0019] Propellants can be classified by their propagation index (PI), which is a measure of the energy output per gram of calories (ΔH Reaction ) and the auto-ignition temperature in degrees Celsius (T Ignition ) ratio.
[0020] PI=ΔH Reaction / T Ignition
[0021] The power charge typically includes a main propellant, usually a metal fuel, and an oxidizer, such as an epoxy resin. In some instances, these components are mixed in a ratio of 33-85% epoxy resin, 0-20% fuel, and 20-67% oxidizer. In one example, the fuel is aluminum and the oxidizer is potassium nitrate in an epoxy binder. Other possible fuels for the main propellant include: iron, magnesium, magnesium aluminum (magnesium / aluminum 50 / 50 alloy), titanium, tungsten, zinc, zirconium, boron, sulfur, charcoal, and graphite. Other possible oxidizers for the main propellant include: ammonium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, barium chlorate, barium chromate, barium nitrate, barium peroxide, ferric oxide (red), ferric oxide (black), lead chromate, lead dioxide, lead oxide, lead tetroxide, potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, sodium nitrate, and strontium nitrate. The propagation index of the main propellant is typically less than 1.5 calories / (gram·degree Celsius). The propagation index of the example main propellant can be less than 0.5 calories / (gram·degree Celsius). The autoignition temperature of an example main propellant may exceed 1000 degrees C. The energy output of an example main propellant is 500 calories per gram or less.
[0022] exist Figure 1BIn the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a power charge 101 is shown in a tubular housing 102. The tubular housing has a first end 105, a second end 103, and a midsection between the first and second ends. In the midsection of the housing 102 there is a main propellant 104.
[0023] In the first end 105 of the housing, there is a first ignition portion 106 of a pyrotechnic material made from a mixture of the main propellant 104 and an ignition propellant. The ignition propellant is a material that is generally more sensitive to ignition than the main propellant and generally has a greater energy output than the main propellant. In some examples, the ignition propellant has an auto-ignition temperature of no greater than 600 degrees Celsius. In some examples, the energy output of the ignition propellant is at least 900 calories per gram. In some examples, the energy output of the ignition propellant exceeds 1500 calories per gram. The propagation index of the ignition propellant is generally at least 1.5 calories / (gram·degrees Celsius). The ignition propellant generally has an auto-ignition temperature of 600 degrees Celsius or less. The propagation index of an example ignition propellant is 2.75 or greater.
[0024] Examples of ignition propellants are potassium boron nitrate (BKNO3), potassium zirconium perchlorate (ZPP), potassium titanium hydride perchlorate (THPP), Pyrodex, Triple 7, black powder, and potassium aluminum perchlorate. The heat of reaction of BKNO3 is about 1600 calories / gram, the autoignition temperature is 565 degrees Celsius, and the propagation index is 2.83 calories / (gram·degree Celsius). The heat of reaction of Pyrodex and Triple 7 is about 1100 calories / gram, the autoignition temperature is 399 degrees Celsius, and the propagation index is 2.76 calories / (gram·degree Celsius). The heat of reaction of black powder is about 660 calories / gram, the autoignition temperature is 330 degrees Celsius, and the propagation index is 2.00 calories / (gram·degree Celsius). In some examples, such as Figure 1A As shown, there is a second ignition portion 107 near the second end 103 of the housing. In some examples, the sum of the first ignition portion 106 and the second ignition portion 107 may be approximately 3.0% by weight of the power charge.
[0025] Preferably, the mixture in the first ignition portion 106 or the second ignition portion 107 is mixed in a gradient, with the dominant ignition propellant toward the first end and transitioning to the main main propellant away from the first end. In some examples, the mixture ranges from 90% or more of the ignition propellant near the end of the shell to 10% or less of the ignition propellant away from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends about 0.5 inches from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends about 1 inch from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends about 1.5 inches from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends about 0.5 to 1 inch from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends about 1 to 1.5 inches from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends about 12.5% of the length of the shell from the end of the shell. In some examples, the ignition portion 106 or 107 extends from the end of the housing approximately 25% of the length of the housing. In some examples, the ignition propellant is approximately 0.75% of the weight of the power charge by weight. In some examples, the ignition propellant is approximately 1.5% of the weight of the power charge by weight. In some examples, the ignition propellant is approximately 3.0% of the weight of the power charge by weight. In some examples, the first ignition portion is approximately 1.50% of the weight of the power charge by weight.
[0026] The main propellant 104 is located inside the housing, adjacent to the ignition portion. In some examples, the housing 102 is a cardboard tube.
[0027] Further examples include methods of making a power charge. In one method, the housing is placed vertically with the first end facing downward and a cover is placed on it. Then, the ignition propellant 106 is placed in the housing so that it rests at the first end. The main propellant is then poured into the housing, where it is partially mixed with the ignition material to form a first ignition portion. The main propellant is then solidified into, for example, a main propellant cured epoxy adhesive portion. Optionally, the ignition material can also be added to the housing after the main propellant has been placed in the housing to produce the second ignition portion.
[0028] Each example of the ignition portion may be applied to the ignition portion of the first end or the second end.
[0029] Although the present invention has been described according to the detailed embodiments, it should be understood that this is merely exemplary and the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, terms such as upper and lower or top and bottom can be replaced by wellhead and downhole, respectively. Top and bottom can be left and right. Typically, downhole tools initially enter the borehole in a vertical direction, but since some boreholes end in a horizontal direction, the direction of the tool may change. In this case, downhole, lower or bottom is usually a component in the downhole instrument string, which, relatively speaking, enters the borehole before the component referred to as wellhead, upper or top. The first shell and the second shell can be the top shell and the bottom shell, respectively. Terms such as wellbore, borehole, well, wellbore, oil well and other substitutes can be used as synonyms. In view of this disclosure, alternative embodiments and operating techniques will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention, the present invention can be modified.
Claims
1. A power charge, comprising: a tubular housing having a first end, a second end, and a midsection; a main propellant, the main propellant being located within the casing near a midsection, the midsection including the main propellant; a first ignition section within the housing proximate the first end, the first end comprising a first mixture of a main propellant and an ignition propellant; as well as a second ignition section, the second ignition section being within the housing proximate the second end, the second end comprising a second mixture of the main propellant and the ignition propellant; wherein the first mixture of main propellant and ignition propellant comprises a gradient, with the ignition propellant being mostly toward the first end and transitioning to a majority of the main propellant away from the first end; and The second mixture of main propellant and ignition propellant includes a gradient with the ignition propellant being majority toward the second end and transitioning to a majority of the main propellant away from the second end.
2. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The propagation index of the ignition propellant is 1.5 or greater, and the propagation index of the main propellant is 1.5 or less.
3. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The ignition propellant has a propagation index of 2.0 or greater.
4. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The ignition propellant has a propagation index of 2.75 or greater.
5. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The ignition propellant is potassium boron nitrate.
6. The power charge of claim 1, wherein: a first gradient ranging from 90% or more of the ignition propellant proximate the first end to 10% or less of the ignition propellant distal from the first end; as well as The second gradient ranges from 90% or more of the ignited propellant proximate the second end to 10% or less of the ignited propellant distal from the second end.
7. The power charge of claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion extends from the first end by 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches; and The second ignition portion extends from the second end by 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches.
8. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion and the second ignition portion together account for 1.5% of the power charge weight.
9. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion and the second ignition portion together account for 3.0% of the power charge weight.
10. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The ignition propellant has an auto-ignition temperature of 600 degrees Celsius or less.
11. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion or the second ignition portion extends from an end of the housing by 12.5% of the length of the housing.
12. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion or the second ignition portion extends from an end of the housing by 25% of the length of the housing.
13. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion is 0.75% of the weight of the power charge.
14. The power charge according to claim 1, wherein: The first ignition portion is 1.50% by weight of the power charge.