Active scrap catcher
By designing the spiral blades and inclined structure of the active debris collector, the problem of low debris separation efficiency in oil and gas field well workover operations has been solved, achieving the requirements of efficient debris handling and environmentally friendly operations.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 濮阳市科锐机械工程技术有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies are inefficient in separating and processing impurities such as metal debris and rock particles during well workover operations in oil and gas fields. They are particularly inefficient, prone to clogging, and have high maintenance costs under complex working conditions, failing to meet environmental compliance requirements.
An active chip catcher is designed, which uses helical blades and an inclined structure to form a helical flow field, separates chips by centrifugal force, and uses a settling cup and drill pipe annular cavity to intercept large chips and discharge small chips, avoiding chip backflow, and the structure is easy to disassemble and clean.
It achieves efficient separation and collection of cuttings, reduces the need for repeated well fluid filtration, reduces formation pollution and the risk of stuck drill bit, and improves operational efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Smart Images
Figure CN224174047U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of well repair technology, specifically to an active chip catcher. Background Technology
[0002] In oil and gas field well workover operations, the generation and handling of cuttings has always been a core challenge affecting operational efficiency and safety. Drilling, milling, and casing cutting processes inevitably generate impurities such as metal debris and rock particles. If these debris are not removed promptly and effectively, they can cause abnormal equipment wear, wellbore blockage, formation contamination, and even serious accidents such as stuck drill bits and pump stalling. Traditional debris handling technologies, such as screen filtration, gravity sedimentation, and hydrocyclone separation, can intercept some debris to a certain extent, but due to limitations in their design principles and structural defects, they exhibit problems such as low efficiency, easy clogging, and high maintenance costs in practical applications. For example, screen filters require frequent shutdowns for cleaning under high debris concentration conditions, gravity sedimentation tanks suffer from poor settling effects due to excessively high well fluid flow rates, and hydrocyclones are difficult to operate stably for long periods due to high energy consumption and easily damaged components. Furthermore, existing technologies lack the ability to separate fine particles and cannot adapt to complex conditions such as high temperatures in deep wells and horizontal wells with large reach, resulting in high environmental compliance costs. With the advancement of unconventional oil and gas resource development, there is an urgent need for an innovative solution that can dynamically adapt to complex fluid environments, achieve efficient debris separation, and is easy to maintain, in order to break through the limitations of traditional technologies and meet the industry's pressing needs for efficient and environmentally friendly operations. Utility Model Content
[0003] The main purpose of this invention is to provide an active debris collector that can actively collect debris generated during well workover operations.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:
[0005] An active chip catcher includes a drill rod, an outer sleeve fixedly fitted on the outside of the drill rod, the drill rod passing through the outer sleeve, the lower end of the outer sleeve being detachably and fixedly connected to the drill rod, an annular cavity being provided between the outer sleeve and the drill rod, multiple outlet holes being provided at the lower end of the outer sleeve, the axial direction of the outlet holes being parallel to the axial direction of the drill rod, a bevel being machined at the upper end of the outer sleeve, and multiple inlet holes being provided on the upper part of the outer sleeve along its tangential direction, the multiple inlet holes being spirally arranged on the outer sleeve, and a spiral blade being fixedly fitted on the outside of the drill rod below the multiple inlet holes, with a gap being provided between the outer edge of the spiral blade and the inner wall of the outer sleeve.
[0006] Specifically, the outer casing includes a sedimentation cup, an inlet hole on the sedimentation cup, a lower ring fixed to the lower end of the sedimentation cup, the lower ring being sleeved on the drill rod, an outlet hole on the lower ring, a flange machined on the drill rod above the lower ring, the upper end of the lower ring tightly abutting the lower end of the flange, and a locking ring threadedly connected to the outer side of the drill rod below the lower ring, the upper end of the locking ring tightly abutting the upper end of the lower ring.
[0007] Specifically, the locking ring is threaded with multiple locking screws, which press tightly against the drill rod.
[0008] Specifically, the upper end of the drill rod is fixed with an upper connector, and the lower end of the drill rod is machined with external threads on the outer side.
[0009] Specifically, the angle of the bevel is 45°.
[0010] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0011] 1. The spiral arrangement of the inlet holes along the tangential direction of the outer casing creates a downward spiral flow field after the well fluid enters the annular cavity. Centrifugal force throws debris towards the inner wall of the outer casing, achieving rapid separation of large debris from the well fluid. The spiral blades further accelerate fluid rotation, enhancing the centrifugal effect and improving debris separation efficiency. Through the cooperation of the annular cavity and outlet holes between the settling cup and the drill pipe, large debris is intercepted in the settling cup, while small particles and well fluid are discharged through the outlet holes, preventing debris from flowing back into the wellbore.
[0012] 2. The spiral-driven well fluid keeps cuttings rotating continuously within the annular cavity, preventing static accumulation and potential blockage of the outlet. The clearance design between the spiral blades and the inner wall of the outer casing allows cuttings to pass through while preventing jamming. The outlet direction is aligned with the drill pipe axis to reduce fluid resistance and ensure smooth well fluid discharge.
[0013] 3. The sedimentation cup is detachable, making it easy to clean sediment or replace parts.
[0014] 4. The 45° inclination angle of the inlet creates directional flow of the well fluid entering the annular cavity. This angle reduces the vertical impact force of the fluid and utilizes the effect of gravity to allow debris to slide naturally into the annular cavity along the inner wall of the inlet, reducing the risk of retention. The inlet also helps reduce eddies and turbulence generated when the well fluid enters the annular cavity, allowing the well fluid to flow more smoothly into the settling cup, reducing energy loss and improving the overall efficiency of the cuttings catcher. The helical arrangement of multiple inlets forms a continuous swirling inlet, avoiding localized eddies and improving the uniformity of the flow field.
[0015] 5. This active cuttings collector reduces the need for repeated well fluid filtration, saving resource costs. Real-time collection of cuttings reduces the risks of formation contamination, stuck drill bits, and pump stalling, meeting the requirements of environmentally friendly and efficient operations. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the active chip catcher.
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the active debris catcher.
[0018] The parts in the attached diagram are named as follows: 1. Drill rod, 2. Upper connector, 3. Sediment cup, 4. Lower ring, 5. Locking ring, 6. Spiral blade, 7. Outlet hole, 8. Inlet hole, 9. Angled opening. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.
[0020] Example 1: Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the active chip catcher includes a drill rod 1, with an upper connector 2 fixed at the upper end of the drill rod 1, and external threads machined on the outer side of the lower end of the drill rod 1.
[0021] A sleeve is fixedly fitted onto the outside of the drill rod 1, through which the drill rod 1 passes. The lower end of the sleeve is detachably and fixedly connected to the drill rod 1. An annular cavity is provided between the sleeve and the drill rod 1. Multiple outlet holes 7 are provided at the lower end of the sleeve, with the axial direction of the outlet holes 7 parallel to the axial direction of the drill rod 1. A bevel 9 is machined at the upper end of the sleeve, with an angle of 45°. Multiple inlet holes 8 are provided along the tangential direction on the upper part of the sleeve, and the multiple inlet holes 8 are spirally arranged on the sleeve.
[0022] The outer casing includes a sedimentation cup 3, with an inlet hole 8 on the sedimentation cup 3. A lower ring 4 is fixed to the lower end of the sedimentation cup 3 and is fitted onto the drill rod 1. An outlet hole 7 is located on the lower ring 4. A flange is machined on the drill rod 1 above the lower ring 4, with the upper end of the lower ring 4 tightly abutting against the lower end of the flange. A locking ring 5 is threaded onto the outer side of the drill rod 1 below the lower ring 4, with the upper end of the locking ring 5 tightly abutting against the upper end of the lower ring 4. Multiple locking screws are threaded onto the locking ring 5, and these locking screws tightly abut against the drill rod 1.
[0023] During well workover, the lower end of drill pipe 1 is connected to the drill string. As drill pipe 1 drives the drill string to drill, the settling cup 3, lower ring 4, and locking ring 5 rotate accordingly. During the rotation of settling cup 3, part of the well fluid carrying debris enters between settling cup 3 and drill pipe 1 through the inclined port 9, and another part of the well fluid carrying debris enters between settling cup 3 and drill pipe 1 through the inlet port 8. Since the inlet port 8 is opened along the tangent of settling cup 3, and multiple inlet ports 8 are spirally arranged on settling cup 3, the well fluid entering between settling cup 3 and drill pipe 1 can spiral downward between settling cup 3 and drill pipe 1. Under the action of centrifugal force, the debris in the well fluid moves away from drill pipe 1 and descends along the inner wall of settling cup 3. Well fluid and small debris particles can be discharged through outlet port 7, while large debris particles can be intercepted between settling cup 3 and drill pipe 1.
[0024] As the well fluid rotates between the settling cup 3 and the drill pipe 1, the rotating well fluid allows large particles of debris to rotate between the settling cup 3 and the drill pipe 1, preventing large particles of debris from accumulating at the upper end of the lower annulus 4 and blocking the outlet hole 7.
[0025] The 45° inclination angle of the bevel 9 creates directional flow when the well fluid enters the annular cavity between the settling cup 3 and the drill pipe 1. This angle reduces the vertical impact force of the fluid and utilizes the effect of gravity to allow cuttings to slide naturally into the annular cavity along the inner wall of the bevel 9, reducing the risk of retention. The bevel 9 helps reduce the eddies and turbulence generated when the well fluid enters the annular cavity between the settling cup 3 and the drill pipe 1, allowing the well fluid to flow into the settling cup 3 more smoothly, reducing energy loss and improving the overall efficiency of this active cuttings catcher.
[0026] The spiral arrangement of multiple inlets 8 forms a continuous swirling inlet, avoiding local eddies and improving the uniformity of the flow field.
[0027] Example 2: Based on Example 1, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a spiral blade 6 is fixedly fitted on the outer side of the drill rod 1 below the multiple inlet holes 8, and a gap is provided between the outer edge of the spiral blade 6 and the inner wall of the outer sleeve.
[0028] After the well fluid spirals downward between the settling cup 3 and the drill pipe 1 comes into contact with the rotating helical blades 6, the spiral downward speed of the well fluid is further increased. The centrifugal force of the spirally descending well fluid increases, improving the separation effect of cuttings and well fluid. This prevents cuttings between the settling cup 3 and the drill pipe 1 from clogging the outlet 7 and affecting the efficiency of well fluid discharge.
[0029] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. An active chip catcher, comprising a drill pipe (1), characterized in that, A sleeve is fixedly fitted on the outside of the drill rod (1). The drill rod (1) passes through the sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve is detachably fixedly connected to the drill rod (1). An annular cavity is provided between the sleeve and the drill rod (1). Multiple outlet holes (7) are opened at the lower end of the sleeve. The axial direction of the outlet holes (7) is parallel to the axial direction of the drill rod (1). A bevel (9) is machined at the upper end of the sleeve. Multiple inlet holes (8) are opened along the tangent direction of the upper part of the sleeve. The multiple inlet holes (8) are spirally arranged on the sleeve. A spiral blade (6) is fixedly fitted on the outside of the drill rod (1) below the multiple inlet holes (8). A gap is provided between the outer edge of the spiral blade (6) and the inner wall of the sleeve.
2. The active debris catcher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer casing includes a sedimentation cup (3), an inlet hole (8) is opened on the sedimentation cup (3), a lower ring (4) is fixed at the lower end of the sedimentation cup (3), the lower ring (4) is sleeved on the drill rod (1), an outlet hole (7) is opened on the lower ring (4), a flange is machined on the drill rod (1) above the lower ring (4), the upper end of the lower ring (4) is tightly against the lower end of the flange, and a locking ring (5) is threadedly connected to the outer side of the drill rod (1) below the lower ring (4), the upper end of the locking ring (5) is tightly against the upper end of the lower ring (4).
3. The active debris catcher according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking ring (5) is threaded with multiple locking screws, which abut against the drill rod (1).
4. The active debris catcher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the drill rod (1) is fixed with an upper connector (2), and the lower end of the drill rod (1) is machined with external threads on the outer side.
5. The active debris catcher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle of the bevel (9) is 45°.