Adaptive plunger

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of oil and gas exploitation, and discloses a self-adaptive plunger, which comprises a plunger body, a valve seat and a floating valve body, a channel is arranged in the plunger body, an exhaust hole communicating with the channel is arranged at the upper end of the plunger body, a bypass hole is arranged in the sidewall of the bottom end of the plunger body, the channel comprises a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section, the exhaust hole is connected with the small-diameter section, and the bypass hole communicates with the large-diameter section; the valve seat is arranged at the bottom end of the plunger body, and a through hole is arranged on the valve seat to communicate with the large-diameter section; the floating valve body is arranged in the large-diameter section and moves up and down, and the floating valve body has an up-floating state and a down state which are switched with each other; when the floating valve body is in the up-floating state, the floating valve body blocks the connecting port between the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section and the through hole, so that the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section are isolated; when the floating valve body is in the down state, the floating valve body opens the connecting port between the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section and the through hole, so that the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section are communicated. The self-adaptive plunger can reduce the resistance of the plunger descending, shorten the descending time and improve the production efficiency of the plunger drainage gas recovery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil and gas extraction technology, and in particular to an adaptive plunger. Background Technology

[0002] Natural gas, as a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly green energy source, is an indispensable major component of my country's and the world's energy supply. However, during natural gas extraction, formation water can significantly impact production. If the accumulated fluid in the wellbore is not drained in time, the natural gas well's production will rapidly decrease until it ceases operation as the fluid level increases. In severe cases, corrosive substances in the accumulated fluid can corrode downhole equipment and pipelines, leading to equipment damage and shortened lifespan. Solid particles in the accumulated fluid may also clog equipment and pipelines.

[0003] Plunger gas lift is a simple and efficient method for producing gas by draining liquid. It is a special form of intermittent gas lift. The plunger acts as a solid sealing interface, separating the lifted gas from the lifted liquid, reducing gas cross-flow and liquid fallback, and improving the efficiency of the lifted gas. The energy of plunger gas lift mainly comes from the formation, but when the formation gas energy is insufficient, a certain amount of high-pressure gas needs to be injected into the well. The high-pressure gas pushes the plunger and the liquid above it from the bottom of the well to the wellhead, removing the liquid accumulated at the bottom of the well, increasing the production pressure differential, and extending the production time of the gas well. For wells where conventional continuous gas lift or intermittent gas lift is inefficient, using plunger gas lift can improve production efficiency and avoid ineffective gas consumption.

[0004] In existing technology, when the plunger falls into the oil pipe, its falling speed is very slow due to the friction of the inner wall of the oil pipe, the resistance of the gas, and the lifting force. As a result, the plunger falling process occupies a large part of the production cycle, seriously affecting production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adaptive plunger that can reduce drag during plunger descent, shorten descent time, and improve plunger drainage gas production efficiency.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An adaptive plunger includes a plunger body with a channel inside, an exhaust port at the upper end of the plunger body, and a bypass hole on the bottom sidewall of the plunger body.

[0008] The channel includes a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section, the exhaust port is connected to the small-diameter section, and the bypass hole is connected to the large-diameter section;

[0009] The adaptive plunger also includes a valve seat and a floating valve body. The valve seat is disposed at the bottom end of the plunger body and has a through hole to connect with the large-diameter section. The floating valve body is vertically movable within the large-diameter section.

[0010] The floating valve body has an alternating floating state and a descending state. When in the floating state, the floating valve body blocks the connection between the small diameter section and the large diameter section, as well as the through hole, to isolate the two. When in the descending state, the floating valve body opens the connection between the small diameter section and the large diameter section, as well as the through hole, to connect the two.

[0011] Preferably, the valve seat has a hollow cavity groove that connects to the large-diameter section, and the through hole connects to the hollow cavity groove. Part of the floating valve body slides within the hollow cavity groove to isolate the through hole from the hollow cavity groove.

[0012] Preferably, the top of the valve seat is provided with a radial groove, which extends through the side wall of the valve seat into the hollow cavity groove. The opening at one end of the through hole is located in the radial groove, and the other end extends downward through the valve seat.

[0013] Preferably, the plurality of radial grooves are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the hollow cavity groove.

[0014] Preferably, the floating valve body includes a float and a valve core, the float is connected to the bottom of the valve core, the valve core is movably disposed in the hollow cavity groove, and the float is provided with a through hole extending vertically.

[0015] Preferably, one of the hollow cavity and the float is provided with a guide groove, and the other is provided with a guide key that slides in conjunction with the guide groove.

[0016] Preferably, the valve core is divided into an upper body and a lower body, the upper body is cylindrical, and the lower body is frustum-shaped, with the top surface of the frustum facing the float.

[0017] Preferably, the outer diameter of the valve core is smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter section.

[0018] Preferably, the floating valve body further includes a connecting rod, one end of which is connected to the valve core and the other end of which is connected to the float, so that the valve core and the float are connected at an interval.

[0019] Preferably, the valve core is a hollow body.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0021] By using a floating valve body that moves within the large-diameter section, when the plunger is below the liquid surface, liquid enters the channel through the bypass hole and the through hole. Due to buoyancy, the floating valve body floats upward, blocking the connection between the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section, as well as the through hole, to isolate them. As the pressure continues to increase, the plunger rises and lifts the accumulated liquid. When the plunger reaches the wellhead, the liquid in the channel is discharged outside the well through the bypass hole. Subsequently, the floating valve body switches to a descending state, moving downward due to gravity. The floating valve body opens the connection between the small-diameter section and the large-diameter section, as well as the through hole, to connect them. Gas located below the plunger is discharged through the through hole and the channel via the vent hole, thereby reducing the downward resistance of the plunger and enabling the plunger to fall quickly to the liquid surface for circulation. This shortens the descent time and improves the efficiency of plunger drainage and gas production. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the floating valve body in the adaptive plunger of the present invention when it is in the floating state;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the floating valve body in the adaptive plunger of the present invention when it is in the descending state;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the floating valve body in the adaptive plunger of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the valve seat in the adaptive plunger of the present invention.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 1. Plunger body; 11. Channel; 111. Large diameter section; 112. Small diameter section; 12. Vent port; 13. Bypass port;

[0028] 2. Valve seat; 21. Through hole; 22. Hollow cavity groove; 23. Radial groove;

[0029] 3. Floating valve body; 31. Float; 32. Valve core; 321. Upper body; 322. Lower body; 33. Connecting rod; 34. Through hole;

[0030] 4. Guide groove;

[0031] 5. Guide key. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0033] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0035] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this application provides an adaptive plunger, which includes a plunger body 1, a valve seat 2, and a floating valve body 3. The plunger body 1 has a channel 11, and its upper end has an exhaust port 12 communicating with the channel 11. The bottom sidewall of the plunger body 1 has a bypass hole 13 communicating with the channel 11. The channel 11 includes a large-diameter section 111 and a small-diameter section 112. The exhaust port 12 connects to the small-diameter section 112, and the bypass hole 13 connects to the large-diameter section 111. The valve seat 2 is located at the bottom end of the plunger body 1. The valve seat 2 is provided with a through hole 21 to connect to the large diameter section 111; the floating valve body 3 is disposed vertically within the large diameter section 111 and has a switchable floating state and a descending state. When in the floating state, the floating valve body 3 blocks the connection between the small diameter section 112 and the large diameter section 111 as well as the through hole 21 to isolate the two; when in the descending state, the floating valve body 3 opens the connection between the small diameter section 112 and the large diameter section 111 as well as the through hole 21 to connect the two.

[0037] By moving the floating valve body 3 within the large-diameter section 111, when the plunger is below the liquid surface, the liquid enters the channel 11 through the bypass hole 13 and the through hole 21. The floating valve body 3 floats up due to buoyancy and remains in an upward state. The floating valve body 3 blocks the connection between the small-diameter section 112 and the large-diameter section 111, as well as the through hole 21, to isolate them. As the pressure continues to increase, the plunger rises and lifts the accumulated liquid. When the plunger reaches the wellhead, the liquid in the channel 11 is discharged out of the well through the bypass hole 13. Subsequently, the floating valve body 3 switches to a descending state and descends due to gravity. The floating valve body 3 opens the connection between the small-diameter section 112 and the large-diameter section 111, as well as the through hole 21, to connect them. The gas located below the plunger is discharged through the through hole 21 and the channel 11 through the vent hole 12, thereby reducing the downward resistance of the plunger and enabling the plunger to fall quickly to the liquid surface for circulation. This shortens the descent time and improves the production efficiency of plunger drainage and gas production.

[0038] In this embodiment, the channel 11 penetrates the lower end of the plunger body 1, and the valve seat 2 is installed at the lower end of the plunger body 1 by screws. The valve seat 2 is provided with a hollow cavity groove 22 that communicates with the large-diameter section 111 of the channel 11. The hollow cavity groove 22 extends downward from the top of the valve seat 2, and the through hole 21 communicates with the hollow cavity groove 22 and penetrates the valve seat 2, so as to connect the large-diameter section 111 with the lower part of the plunger body 1, so that the gas below the plunger body 1 can be discharged through the through hole 21 and the channel 11 and then through the exhaust hole 12; while part of the floating valve body 3 is slidably disposed in the hollow cavity groove 22, so as to isolate the through hole 21 from the hollow cavity groove 22. Specifically, a radial groove 23 is provided at the top of the valve seat 2. The radial groove 23 extends from the side wall of the valve seat 2 into the hollow cavity groove 22. One end of the through hole 21 is opened in the radial groove 23, and the other end extends downward through the valve seat 2. Thus, when the floating valve body 3 slides in the hollow cavity groove 22, it can open or close the outlet of the radial groove 23 located in the hollow cavity groove 22, thereby indirectly blocking or opening the through hole 21. Furthermore, multiple radial grooves 23 are provided, and the multiple radial grooves 23 are spaced apart circumferentially along the hollow cavity groove 22. Each radial groove 23 is provided with a corresponding through hole 21, thereby increasing the gas or liquid throughput efficiency.

[0039] In this embodiment, the floating valve body 3 includes a float 31 and a valve core 32. The float 31 is connected to the lower end of the valve core 32 and slides within the hollow cavity groove 22. This allows the float 31 to block or open the outlet of the radial groove 23 located within the hollow cavity groove 22. For example, the top of the valve core 32 is larger than the size of the connection between the small diameter section 112 and the large diameter section 111, thus facilitating the blocking of the connection between the small diameter section 112 and the large diameter section 111 during the movement of the valve core 32. The float 31 is also provided with a through hole 34 that extends vertically. This through hole 34 connects the upper and lower end faces of the float 31, allowing liquid or gas to pass through. For example, when the floating valve body 3 is in a descending state at the liquid surface, liquid enters the through hole 34 of the float 31 through the through hole 21, thus passing through the through hole 34 to the upper end face of the float 31. Furthermore, the through hole 34 can reduce mass and facilitate floating.

[0040] Furthermore, in order to make the movement of the float 31 more stable within the hollow cavity 22, a guide groove 4 is provided along the upper edge of one of the hollow cavity 22 and the float 31 in the vertical direction, and a guide key 5 is provided in the other to slide in cooperation with the guide groove 4; in this embodiment, the guide groove 4 is provided in the hollow cavity 22, and the guide key 5 is provided on the float 31.

[0041] The floating valve body 3 also includes a connecting rod 33. One end of the connecting rod 33 is connected to the valve core 32, and the other end is connected to the float 31, thus creating a gap between them. When the float 31 is located at the lower end of the hollow cavity groove 22, the radial groove 23 is located at the connecting rod 33, allowing liquid to enter the channel 11 more quickly through the through hole 21. Furthermore, to facilitate the flow of liquid or gas from the lower part of the valve core 32 to the upper part, the valve core 32 is divided into an upper body 321 and a lower body 322. The upper body 321 is cylindrical, and the lower body 322 is frustum-shaped, with the top surface of the frustum facing the float 31, allowing liquid or gas to pass through the surface of the frustum more quickly. Even further, the outer diameter of the valve core 32 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter section 111, allowing liquid or gas to pass through both sides of the valve core 32 more quickly and then rapidly enter the small-diameter section 112. In this embodiment, the valve core 32 is a hollow valve core 32, which can reduce the mass of the valve core 32 and facilitate the valve core 32 to float in the liquid.

[0042] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive plunger, comprising a plunger body (1), wherein a channel (11) is provided inside the plunger body (1), an exhaust port (12) is provided at the upper end of the plunger body (1), and a bypass hole (13) is provided on the bottom sidewall of the plunger body (1), characterized in that, The channel (11) includes a large diameter section (111) and a small diameter section (112), the exhaust port (12) is connected to the small diameter section (112), and the bypass hole (13) is connected to the large diameter section (111); The adaptive plunger also includes a valve seat (2) and a floating valve body (3). The valve seat (2) is disposed at the bottom end of the plunger body (1), and the valve seat (2) is provided with a through hole (21) to connect to the large-diameter section (111). The floating valve body (3) is disposed vertically within the large-diameter section (111). The floating valve body (3) has an alternating floating state and a descending state. When in the floating state, the floating valve body (3) blocks the connection between the small diameter section (112) and the large diameter section (111) as well as the through hole (21) to isolate them. When in the descending state, the floating valve body (3) opens the connection between the small diameter section (112) and the large diameter section (111) as well as the through hole (21) to connect them.

2. The adaptive plunger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve seat (2) has a hollow cavity groove (22) that connects to the large diameter section (111). The through hole (21) connects to the hollow cavity groove (22). Part of the floating valve body (3) slides within the hollow cavity groove (22) to isolate the through hole (21) from the hollow cavity groove (22).

3. The adaptive plunger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The valve seat (2) is provided with a radial groove (23) at its top. The radial groove (23) extends through the side wall of the valve seat (2) to the hollow cavity groove (22). The opening of one end of the through hole (21) is located in the radial groove (23), and the other end extends downward through the valve seat (2).

4. The adaptive plunger according to claim 3, characterized in that, The radial grooves (23) are spaced apart circumferentially along the hollow cavity groove (22).

5. The adaptive plunger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The floating valve body (3) includes a float (31) and a valve core (32). The float (31) is connected to the bottom of the valve core (32). The valve core (32) is movably disposed in the hollow cavity groove (22). The float (31) is provided with a through hole (34) that runs vertically through the valve core (32).

6. The adaptive plunger according to claim 5, characterized in that, One of the hollow cavity groove (22) and the float (31) is provided with a guide groove (4), and the other is provided with a guide key (5) that slides in conjunction with the guide groove (4).

7. The adaptive plunger according to claim 5, characterized in that, The valve core (32) is divided into an upper body (321) and a lower body (322). The upper body (321) is cylindrical and the lower body (322) is frustum-shaped. The top surface of the frustum faces the float (31).

8. The adaptive plunger according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the valve core (32) is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter section (111).

9. The adaptive plunger according to claim 5, characterized in that, The floating valve body (3) also includes a connecting rod (33), one end of which is connected to the valve core (32), and the other end of which is connected to the float (31), so that the valve core (32) and the float (31) are connected at an interval.

10. The adaptive plunger according to claim 5, characterized in that, The valve core (32) is a hollow body.

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