A kind of heavy paste storage tank agitator time-sharing automatic control and automatic paste pouring device

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of heavy slurry storage tank stirrer time-sharing automatic control and automatic slurry pouring device, including tank body, slurry outlet pipe, sand pump and electric control box, the top of tank body is equipped with mud slurry stirrer and sand pump slurry outlet pipe, butterfly valve is equipped between slurry outlet pipe and tank body and is connected by pipeline, sand pump is connected by pipeline with tank body, all electric circuits are connected into electric control box, and electric control box controls all electric work.Heavy slurry in tank body is stirred by mud slurry stirrer, and is discharged by slurry outlet pipe under the action that electric control box controls sand pump work, electric control box has two kinds of control work modes, respectively is stirrer time-sharing automatic control mode and automatic slurry pouring mode, different control interfaces are used to control, realize automatic control and automatic slurry pouring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of mud mixing technology, specifically relating to a time-sharing automatic control and automatic slurry pouring device for a heavy slurry storage tank agitator. Background Technology

[0002] In oil and gas drilling and development, to ensure well control safety, heavy mud storage tanks are usually set up at the construction site, and a certain quantity and density of heavy mud are stored according to design requirements. When well control operations are carried out, the high-density heavy mud required for preparing well control mud can be provided quickly and in sufficient quantities, ensuring the efficient implementation of well control operations.

[0003] The weighting material used in preparing weighted mud is generally barite powder, with a density of up to 4.2 g / cm³. 3 The density of barite is much greater than that of rock cuttings and other materials. To ensure the fluidity of the weighting mud, the viscosity and shear strength of the weighting mud cannot be adjusted too high. Under these conditions, the high-density barite powder in the weighting mud will slowly settle under the influence of gravity, causing the weighting mud to separate into layers. The barite powder deposited at the bottom of the tank is difficult to remix through stirring, ultimately leading to the failure of the weighting mud and causing great harm to well control operations.

[0004] To ensure the reserve of weighting mud is always in a state of readiness, it is essential to continuously agitate the weighting mud to maintain its performance. However, due to the large number of weighting tanks and their high power requirements, and limitations imposed by the well site's power supply and switch cable load, it is impossible to simultaneously activate all tank agitators. Therefore, manual operation and time-sharing agitation are necessary to meet the performance maintenance requirements of the weighting mud.

[0005] Existing mixers, operated manually, are labor-intensive and pose safety risks. First, the heavy slurry storage tanks are installed high up behind the well site, in poor lighting conditions, and far from other workers. At night, operators are prone to slipping and falling; if their walkie-talkies are thrown out, calling for help is difficult, easily resulting in personal injury. Second, for well teams with a large number of heavy slurry tanks, personnel need to start and stop the mixers every two hours, resulting in high labor intensity. Actual mixing time is difficult to effectively monitor. During actual operation, due to operator negligence or interference from other operations, the mixer start and stop operations are not strictly performed according to the prescribed time, resulting in insufficient mixing time for some tanks. This leads to inefficient mixing and energy waste. Furthermore, operators cannot reasonably control the mixing time according to the actual situation of the heavy slurry, resulting in over-mixing and further energy waste. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a time-sharing automatic control and automatic pouring device for the agitator of a heavy slurry storage tank that can effectively control the stirring process, save labor costs, achieve good stirring effect, and fully stir the slurry.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A time-sharing automatic control and automatic slurry discharge device for a heavy slurry storage tank agitator includes a tank body, a slurry discharge pipe, a sand pump, and an electrical control box. A mud agitator and a sand pump discharge pipe are installed on the top of the tank body. A butterfly valve is installed between the discharge pipe and the tank body, and the sand pump is connected to the tank body via a pipe. All electrical circuits are connected to the electrical control box, which controls the operation of all electrical components. The heavy slurry inside the tank is agitated by the mud agitator and then discharged through the discharge pipe under the control of the sand pump by the electrical control box. The electrical control box has two control modes: a time-sharing automatic control mode for the agitator and an automatic slurry discharge mode, using different control interfaces to achieve automatic control and automatic slurry discharge.

[0009] Preferably, the tank is a heavy slurry storage tank, which is installed at a high position.

[0010] This invention also discloses a time-sharing automatic control method for the agitator of a heavy slurry storage tank, the automatic control comprising the following steps:

[0011] S1. The system automatically calculates the number of heavy slurry tank agitators to be started each time based on the agitator working period, the number of heavy slurry tanks involved in agitation, and the single working time of the agitator in the initial conditions set, and compares it with the maximum permissible working load value. If it is less than the load value, the next step can be carried out.

[0012] S2. After each stirring start, the system needs to verify whether the stirrer has started successfully (feedback signal from the magnetic starter auxiliary contact). If it has not started, the system will alarm.

[0013] S3. After each mixing time reaches the set time, the mixer will automatically stop for this operation and start the next batch of mixers in sequence.

[0014] S4. Automatically record and save the working time of each tank each time.

[0015] This invention also discloses a method for automatic time-sharing pouring of slurry from a stirrer in a heavy slurry storage tank, the automatic pouring comprising the following steps:

[0016] S11. The PLC device in the electrical control box performs a self-test after the system is started for the first time, and automatically generates a slurry pouring sequence plan according to the set initial conditions, the empty tank position and the slurry tank number, and executes it after confirmation.

[0017] S12. Start the mud mixer in the pouring tank;

[0018] S13. According to the plan, switch the valves first. Electric valves are switched automatically by the system, and manual valves are switched manually. However, the control interface has prompts and a confirmation button for manual switching. Close all valves on pipelines not involved in this grouting and common pipelines. Close the grout suction valve of the grouting tank. Open the grout suction valve of the sand pump of the grouting tank and the valve between the sand pump discharge pipe and the grouting tank.

[0019] S14. After the valve switching is completed, the system waits for the agitator to start working; after the agitator has worked for the required time and stopped, the system starts the sand pump to perform the slurry pouring operation.

[0020] S15. After the sand pump starts, the system starts the mud mixer of the second heavy slurry tank to be poured.

[0021] S16. Based on the working current of the sand pump, determine whether the heavy slurry in this tank has been pumped out, and monitor the liquid level feedback when the tank is full. If a feedback signal is received during the slurry pouring process, immediately stop the pump, close the inlet and outlet valves, and issue an alarm.

[0022] S17. After the slurry is poured into this tank, turn off the sand pump and the agitator of the second heavy slurry tank to be poured. Close the suction valve of the sand pump in this tank and the valve between the sand pump and the pouring tank. Open the suction valve of the sand pump in the adjacent pouring tank and the valve between the sand pump discharge pipe and the previous pouring tank. After confirming the valve status, start the sand pump and implement monitoring.

[0023] S18. After the sand pump starts, the system starts the agitator of the next heavy slurry tank to be poured.

[0024] S19. If the settings indicate that a sand pump in one of the tanks is damaged, the sand pump in the adjacent tank will take over the work, and the corresponding valve status will be switched according to the new process.

[0025] S20. After all the pouring operations are completed, the system will prompt the staff to check and conduct volume density verification of each tank, and modify the content of the reminder sign.

[0026] S21. Record the pouring process and modify the system data based on the staff's verification of the volume density data of each tank.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are: the automatic time-sharing control and automatic slurry pouring device for the heavy slurry storage tank agitator provided by this invention controls multiple devices through a single system. The slurry agitator can be automatically controlled and automatically poured in a time-sharing manner. Compared with traditional manual mixing, this invention can replace manual operation, achieve automatic control, and save labor costs. It can meet the mixing requirements of different working conditions and different time periods. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a time-sharing automatic control and automatic slurry pouring device for a heavy slurry storage tank agitator according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the side structure of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system of the present invention.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Tank body; 2. Slurry mixer; 3. Slurry outlet pipe; 4. Butterfly valve; 5. Slurry outlet pipe of sand pump; 6. Sand pump; 7. Flexible single-sphere rubber joint; 8. DN65 reducing short section; 9. Internal ladder; 10. Bottom skid. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0035] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this invention provides a time-sharing automatic control and automatic slurry discharge device for a heavy slurry storage tank agitator, comprising a tank body 1, a slurry discharge pipe 3, a sand pump 6, and an electrical control box. A mud agitator 2 and a sand pump slurry discharge pipe 5 are installed on the top of the tank body 1. A butterfly valve 4 is provided between the slurry discharge pipe 3 and the tank body 1, and they are connected via a pipeline. The sand pump 6 is connected to the tank body 1 via a pipeline. All electrical circuits are connected to the electrical control box, which controls the operation of all electrical components. The heavy slurry inside the tank body 1 is agitated by the mud agitator 2 and then discharged through the slurry discharge pipe 3 under the control of the sand pump 6 controlled by the electrical control box. The electrical control box has two control modes: a time-sharing automatic control mode for the agitator and an automatic slurry discharge mode, using different control interfaces to achieve automatic control and automatic slurry discharge.

[0036] The pipeline connecting tank 1 and sand pump 6 is equipped with a flexible single-sphere rubber joint 7 and a DN65 reducing short section 8. An internal ladder 9 is provided on the side of tank 1. In this embodiment, there are two internal ladders 9 arranged in parallel. Operators can use the internal ladders 9 to access the equipment from the bottom to the top of tank 1 for maintenance and repair.

[0037] There are three mud agitators 2, which are arranged in parallel on the top of the tank 1. The mud agitators 2 are able to mix the mud inside the tank 1 evenly.

[0038] The top of the tank 1 is equipped with a manual passage, which has double doors located near the inner ladder 9. In this embodiment, the manual passage includes a guardrail, which has a frame-like structure.

[0039] The top of tank 1 can also be equipped with a lighting device according to actual usage needs. The lighting device includes a lighting pole and a lighting lamp. The lighting lamp is located at the end of the lighting pole, which has a bent structure, and the bottom of the lighting pole is fixedly connected to tank 1. There are two lighting devices arranged in parallel. The lighting devices provide illumination for the mud mixer 2 to facilitate inspection and maintenance.

[0040] Tank 1 is a heavy slurry storage tank. A bottom skid 10 is installed at the bottom of tank 1, employing a high-level installation method. The bottom skid 10 is mounted on a rising support, which is approximately 2.5m high. The volume of tank 1 is 60m³. 3 The mud mixer 2 has a specification of 15kw-18.5kw, and the sand pump 6 has a specification of 15kw.

[0041] This invention also discloses a time-sharing automatic control method for the agitator of a heavy slurry storage tank, the automatic control including the following steps:

[0042] S1. The system automatically calculates the number of heavy slurry tank agitators to be started each time based on the agitator working period, the number of heavy slurry tanks involved in the agitation, and the single working time of the agitator in the initial conditions set, and compares it with the maximum permissible working load value. If it is less than the load value, the next step can be carried out.

[0043] S2. After each stirring start, the system needs to verify whether the stirrer has started successfully (feedback signal from the magnetic starter auxiliary contact). If it has not started, the system will alarm.

[0044] S3. After each mixing time reaches the set time, the mixer will automatically stop for this operation and start the next batch of mixers in sequence.

[0045] S4. Automatically record and save the working time of each tank each time.

[0046] This invention also discloses a method for automatic time-sharing pouring of slurry from a stirrer in a heavy slurry storage tank. The automatic pouring includes the following steps:

[0047] S11. The PLC device in the electrical control box performs a self-test after the system is started for the first time, and automatically generates a slurry pouring sequence plan according to the set initial conditions, the empty tank position of the heavy slurry tank and the heavy slurry tank number, and executes it after confirmation.

[0048] S12. Start the mud mixer in the pouring tank.

[0049] S13. According to the plan, switch the valves first. Electric valves are switched automatically by the system, and manual valves are switched manually. However, the control interface has prompts and a confirmation button for manual completion of the switch. Close all valves on pipelines not involved in this grouting and on common pipelines. Close the grout suction valve of the grouting tank. Open the grout suction valve of the sand pump of the grouting tank and the valve between the sand pump discharge pipe and the grouting tank.

[0050] S14. After the valve switching is completed, the system waits for the agitator to start working; after the agitator has worked for the required time and stopped, the system starts the sand pump to perform the slurry pouring operation.

[0051] S15. After the sand pump starts, the system starts the mud mixer of the second heavy mud tank to be poured.

[0052] S16. Based on the working current of the sand pump, determine whether the heavy slurry in this tank has been pumped out completely, and monitor the liquid level feedback when the tank is full. If a feedback signal is received during the slurry pouring process, immediately stop the pump, close the inlet and outlet valves, and issue an alarm.

[0053] S17. After the slurry is poured into this tank, turn off the sand pump and the agitator of the second heavy slurry tank to be poured. Close the suction valve of the sand pump in this tank and the valve between it and the pouring tank. Open the suction valve of the sand pump in the adjacent pouring tank and the valve between the sand pump discharge pipe and the previous pouring tank. After confirming the valve status, start the sand pump and implement monitoring.

[0054] S18. After the sand pump starts, the system starts the agitator of the next heavy slurry tank to be poured.

[0055] S19. If the settings indicate that a sand pump in one of the tanks is damaged, the sand pump in the adjacent tank will take over the work, and the corresponding valve status will be switched according to the new process.

[0056] S20. After all the pouring operations are completed, the system will prompt the staff to check and conduct volume density verification of each tank, and modify the content of the reminder sign.

[0057] S21. Record the pouring process and modify the system data based on the staff's verification of the volume density data of each tank.

[0058] During the use of this invention, the stirring time for each heavy slurry tank should be no less than 1 hour per day. In actual drilling construction design, the stirring time for each heavy slurry tank should generally be no less than 2 hours per day. When stirring each heavy slurry tank, all 3 agitators on the tank must be turned on.

[0059] This invention employs a PLC for time-sharing automatic control. Because the number of heavy slurry tanks configured for each well varies, or the actual amount of heavy slurry stored differs between drilling operations, the actual start and stop of the agitator needs to be dynamically adjusted according to the configured and stored quantities. This invention enables remote control, allowing operators to control the system from a control room using existing explosion-proof tablets or control terminals. A graphical interface provides feedback on the agitator's startup status; if no startup feedback is received, the system alarms and displays the number of the heavy slurry tank from which the agitator has not started. The system of this invention is explosion-proof, with a protection level of at least IP56.

[0060] Before stirring, the initial conditions of the entire equipment system need to be set. The number of heavy slurry tanks participating in the stirring, the number of mud agitators 2 in the heavy slurry tanks, and their power are entered into the PLC in the electrical control box. First, the heavy slurry tanks are numbered according to the actual configuration at the well site, and the heavy slurry tanks participating in the stirring are selected during the setting. The default number of mud agitators 2 is 3 units, and the default power of mud agitators 2 is 15kW. The adjusted parameters can be saved. In this embodiment, the heavy slurry tank is tank body 1.

[0061] The system defaults to operating hours for mud mixer 2 from 23:00 to 7:00 the next day. Adjustments can be made and saved. The system defaults to a single operating time of 2 hours for mud mixer 2. Adjustments can be made and saved. The maximum permissible working load setting is based on the grid power (or generator) power, MCC power supply power, and main cable capacity. This setting limits the number of mud mixers that can be started simultaneously. This parameter is determined by the drilling team's electrical supervisor; the system default is 135kW (or 3 heavy slurry tanks). Adjustments can be made and saved.

[0062] If the mud mixer 2 is started at the same time and the total power exceeds the set maximum working load (or the number of heavy mud tanks), the system will alarm.

[0063] The control logic of the PLC in the control box is as follows:

[0064] 1. Based on the initial conditions set, such as the working time of mud mixer 2, the number of heavy slurry tanks involved in the mixing, and the single working time of mud mixer 2, the system automatically calculates the number of mud mixers 2 that need to be started each time and compares it with the maximum permissible working load value. If it is less than the load value, the next step can be carried out.

[0065] 2. After each stirring start, the system needs to verify whether the mud mixer 2 has started successfully (magnetic starter auxiliary contact feedback signal). If it has not started, the system will alarm.

[0066] 3. After each mixing session reaches the set time, the mixer will automatically stop for that session and start the next batch of mixers in sequence.

[0067] 4. Automatically record and save the working time of each tank each time.

[0068] By switching the on / off state of the heavy slurry tank group manifold butterfly valve, the corresponding heavy slurry tank sand pump 6 is controlled to automatically pour the heavy slurry stored in this tank into other empty tanks. After the slurry is poured out of this tank, the corresponding butterfly valve of the manifold is automatically switched to start the sand pump of the next heavy slurry tank, and the heavy slurry stored in this tank is poured into the previous empty heavy slurry tank. This process is repeated until the heavy slurry of all the storage tanks has been exchanged once.

[0069] When modifications are required to the manifold valves of the heavy slurry tank, replace the manual butterfly valves at the control points with explosion-proof electric butterfly valves. Install float level switches on each tank; when the liquid level in the pouring tank reaches the limit height, shut off sand pump 6. Set the number and number of heavy slurry tanks, the number, volume, and density of tanks storing heavy slurry, and the number of empty tanks for the first pour. Set the number and status of the sand pumps for each tank, indicating whether the sand pumps are operational. Set the numbers of the electric valves and the valves in the common pipeline. Set the operating time of the agitator in the first pouring tank; the default is 30 minutes.

[0070] The slurry mixer features automatic control for 2 minutes and automatic slurry pouring, both controlled by a single system, but with different control interfaces. The PLC on the control box of this invention has remote monitoring capabilities, utilizing industrial Ethernet for remote monitoring.

[0071] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein are intended to help the reader understand the principles of the invention, and should be understood that the scope of protection of the invention is not limited to such specific statements and embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various other specific modifications and combinations based on the technical teachings disclosed in this invention without departing from the spirit of the invention, and these modifications and combinations are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A time-sharing automatic control and automatic slurry pouring device for a heavy slurry storage tank agitator, characterized in that: The system includes a tank (1), a slurry outlet pipe (3), a sand pump (6), and an electrical control box. The top of the tank (1) is equipped with a mud agitator (2) and a sand pump slurry outlet pipe (5). A butterfly valve (4) is provided between the slurry outlet pipe (3) and the tank (1) and connected through a pipe. The sand pump (6) is connected to the tank (1) through a pipe. All electrical circuits are connected to the electrical control box. The electrical control box controls the operation of all electrical appliances. After the heavy slurry inside the tank (1) is stirred by the mud agitator (2), it is discharged through the slurry outlet pipe (3) under the control of the sand pump (6) by the electrical control box. The electrical control box has two control operation modes: the agitator time-sharing automatic control mode and the automatic slurry pouring mode. Different control interfaces are used for control to achieve automatic control and automatic slurry pouring. The tank (1) is a heavy slurry storage tank, which is installed at a high position; The pipeline connecting the tank (1) and the sand pump (6) is equipped with a flexible single-sphere rubber joint (7) and a DN65 reducing short section (8); the side of the tank (1) is equipped with an inner ladder (9); there are two inner ladders (9) arranged in parallel; the operator can use the inner ladder (9) to go from the bottom to the top of the tank (1) to perform equipment maintenance and repair. There are three mud mixers (2) arranged in parallel on the top of the tank (1); the mud mixers (2) can mix the mud inside the tank (1) evenly. The top of the tank (1) is equipped with a manual passage, and the manual passage is equipped with a double door, which is close to the inner ladder (9). The automatic control includes the following steps: S1. The system automatically calculates the number of heavy slurry tank agitators to be started each time based on the agitator working period, the number of heavy slurry tanks involved in agitation, and the single working time of the agitator in the initial conditions set, and compares it with the maximum permissible working load value. If it is less than the load value, the next step can be carried out. S2. After each stirring is started, the system needs to verify whether the stirrer has started successfully. A magnetic starter is used to assist the contact feedback signal. If it does not start, the system will alarm. S3. After each mixing time reaches the set time, the mixer will automatically stop for this operation and start the next batch of mixers in sequence. S4. Automatically record and save the working time of each tank each time.

2. The automatic time-sharing control and automatic slurry pouring device for the agitator of a heavy slurry storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic pouring process includes the following steps: S11. The PLC device in the electrical control box performs a self-test after the system is started for the first time, and automatically generates a slurry pouring sequence plan according to the set initial conditions, the empty tank position and the slurry tank number, and executes it after confirmation. S12. Start the mud mixer in the pouring tank; S13. According to the plan, switch the valves first. Electric valves are switched automatically by the system, and manual valves are switched manually. However, the control interface has prompts and a confirmation button for manual switching. Close all valves on pipelines not involved in this grouting and common pipelines. Close the grout suction valve of the grouting tank. Open the grout suction valve of the sand pump of the grouting tank and the valve between the sand pump discharge pipe and the grouting tank. S14. After the valve switching is completed, the system waits for the agitator to start working; after the agitator has worked for the required time and stopped, the system starts the sand pump to perform the slurry pouring operation. S15. After the sand pump starts, the system starts the mud mixer of the second heavy slurry tank to be poured. S16. Based on the working current of the sand pump, determine whether the heavy slurry in this tank has been pumped out, and monitor the liquid level feedback when the tank is full. If a feedback signal is received during the slurry pouring process, immediately stop the pump, close the inlet and outlet valves, and issue an alarm. S17. After the slurry is poured into this tank, turn off the sand pump and the agitator of the second heavy slurry tank to be poured. Close the suction valve of the sand pump in this tank and the valve between the sand pump and the pouring tank. Open the suction valve of the sand pump in the adjacent pouring tank and the valve between the sand pump discharge pipe and the previous pouring tank. After confirming the valve status, start the sand pump and implement monitoring. S18. After the sand pump starts, the system starts the agitator of the next heavy slurry tank to be poured. S19. If the settings indicate that a sand pump in one of the tanks is damaged, the sand pump in the adjacent tank will take over the work, and the corresponding valve status will be switched according to the new process. S20. After all the pouring operations are completed, the system will prompt the staff to check and conduct volume density verification of each tank, and modify the content of the reminder sign. S21. Record the pouring process and modify the system data based on the staff's verification of the volume density data of each tank.

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