Cooling heat exchanger device for drilling fluid of offshore drilling platform
By using a drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger on an offshore drilling platform, the heat exchange between seawater and drilling fluid is utilized to solve the problems of decreased drilling fluid performance and threats to personnel health under high temperatures in deep wells, achieving efficient cooling and safety assurance of the drilling fluid.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA NAT PETROLEUM CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
In deep wells and high-temperature environments, drilling fluids are prone to solidification, affecting performance, damaging downhole instruments, accelerating the aging of rubber seals, and posing health hazards to personnel in high-temperature drilling fluid tanks. Furthermore, existing plate coolers are prone to leakage and are complex to maintain on offshore platforms.
Design a drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger for offshore drilling platforms. It exchanges heat between seawater and drilling fluid, and uses the circulating flow of seawater at the inlet and outlet to achieve initial and further cooling of the drilling fluid. It adopts a finned tube and baffle structure, and is automatically controlled by flow, temperature and pressure acquisition devices.
It effectively reduces drilling fluid temperature, improves cooling effect, prevents solidification, protects instruments and personnel safety, reduces aging of rubber seals, and reduces the risk of toxic gases.
Smart Images
Figure CN224189054U_ABST
Abstract
Description
A heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of drilling fluid cooling devices, and more particularly to a drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms. Background Technology
[0002] During drilling operations in deep wells and high-temperature environments, the temperature of the drilling fluid will rise significantly, which can easily lead to the following problems:
[0003] (1) Drilling fluid is prone to high-temperature solidification, which reduces its viscosity and affects its performance;
[0004] (2) It has an adverse effect on the stability of the instruments deployed into the well;
[0005] (3) Accelerates the aging or even failure of rubber seals in the drilling system process;
[0006] (4) The high temperatures in the drilling fluid tank (up to about 70°C) and drilling fluid pump tank (up to about 50°C) pose a severe challenge to the on-site personnel.
[0007] (5) It can easily cause damage to the human body: The mist or steam formed by drilling fluid at high temperature is an unpleasant and highly irritating toxic gas. If workers inhale it, it can easily cause coughing and phlegm. In severe cases, it can cause inflammation or face the risk of pulmonary fibrosis. If the skin comes into contact with it, it can also cause skin irritation. If it gets into the eyes, it can cause corrosion to the eyes. Summary of the Invention
[0008] This invention provides a heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms, which can achieve the cooling of drilling fluid.
[0009] This utility model provides a drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms, comprising a shell, a first end cap, a second end cap, and heat exchange tubes. The shell is a cylindrical structure extending laterally along its centerline, with a seawater inlet and a seawater outlet at its upper part, respectively located at the first and second ends of the shell. The first end cap is sealed at the first end of the shell, and has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber located below the inlet chamber. The inlet chamber has a drilling fluid inlet on its side facing away from the shell, and the outlet chamber has a drilling fluid outlet on its side facing away from the shell. The second end cap is sealed at the second end of the shell, and has a connecting cavity. The heat exchange tubes are disposed inside the shell, connecting the inlet chamber and outlet chamber to the connecting cavity.
[0010] In some embodiments, the drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger assembly for offshore drilling platforms further includes a sight glass, lifting rings, and a support assembly. The sight glass is disposed on one side of the housing in the longitudinal direction, and at a first end and a second end of the housing. The lifting ring is disposed on the upper part of the housing, and at a first end and a second end of the housing. The support assembly is disposed on the lower part of the housing, and at a first end and a second end of the housing.
[0011] In some embodiments, the drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms further includes an expansion joint, baffles, and a buffer plate. The expansion joint is located at the center of the outer casing. The baffles are disposed within the outer casing and connected to the inner wall of the casing, with heat exchange tubes passing through them. The buffer plate is disposed within the outer casing and faces the seawater inlet.
[0012] In some of these embodiments, the upper part of the housing has an exhaust port.
[0013] In some embodiments, the lower part of the housing has a drain port.
[0014] In some embodiments, the communicating cavity has an inspection port on the side opposite to the housing.
[0015] In some embodiments, the inspection port includes a first inspection port and a second inspection port, the centerline of the first inspection port extends laterally, the centerline of the second inspection port slopes downward, and the inner diameter of the second inspection port is larger than that of the second inspection port.
[0016] In some embodiments, the drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms also includes flow valves. The flow valves are located at the seawater inlet, seawater outlet, drilling fluid inlet, and drilling fluid outlet.
[0017] In some embodiments, the drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms further includes a flow rate acquisition device, a temperature acquisition device, and a pressure acquisition device. The flow rate acquisition device is located at the seawater inlet, seawater outlet, drilling fluid inlet, and drilling fluid outlet. The temperature acquisition device is located at the seawater inlet, seawater outlet, drilling fluid inlet, and drilling fluid outlet. The pressure acquisition device is located at the seawater inlet, seawater outlet, drilling fluid inlet, and drilling fluid outlet.
[0018] In some embodiments, the drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms also includes a central controller. The central controller is connected to a flow valve and to flow acquisition devices, temperature acquisition devices, and pressure acquisition devices.
[0019] A drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a shell, a first end cap, a second end cap, and heat exchange tubes. The shell is a cylindrical structure extending laterally along its centerline. The upper part of the shell has a seawater inlet and a seawater outlet, which are respectively located at the first and second ends of the shell. The first end cap is sealed at the first end of the shell and has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber located below the inlet chamber. The inlet chamber has a drilling fluid inlet on the side facing away from the shell, and the outlet chamber has a drilling fluid outlet on the side facing away from the shell. The second end cap is sealed at the second end of the shell and has a connecting cavity. The heat exchange tubes are disposed inside the shell, connecting the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber to the connecting cavity. By employing the device of this invention, seawater continuously flows into the outer shell from the seawater inlet and out of the outer shell from the seawater outlet. Drilling fluid flows into the inlet chamber from the drilling fluid inlet, then into the heat exchange tube inside the outer shell, where it exchanges heat with the seawater inside the outer shell, achieving initial cooling of the drilling fluid. Next, the drilling fluid flows into the connecting cavity and back into the heat exchange tube inside the outer shell, where it exchanges heat again with the seawater inside the outer shell, achieving further cooling of the drilling fluid. Finally, the drilling fluid flows into the outlet chamber and out of the drilling fluid outlet. The above process achieves efficient heat exchange between the drilling fluid and seawater, thereby achieving cooling of the drilling fluid and improving its cooling effect. Attached Figure Description
[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the device in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the device in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 is a flow diagram of the medium inside the device in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 is a control flowchart of the device in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 is a control principle diagram of the device in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0026] In the diagram, 1,2-support components, 3-heat exchange tubes, 4-expansion joints, 5-outer shell, 6,7-sight glasses, 8-drain outlet, 9-first inspection port, 10-second inspection port, 11-vent, 12-buffer plate, 13-seawater inlet, 14-seawater outlet, 15-drilling fluid inlet, 16-drilling fluid outlet, 17,18-lifting rings, 19,20,21,22-flow valves, 23,24,25-baffles, 26-first end cap, 27-second end cap, 28,29,30,31-flow acquisition devices, 32,33,34,35-temperature acquisition devices, 36,37,38,39-pressure acquisition devices, 40-central controller, 41-remote control valve, 42-display screen. Detailed Implementation
[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.
[0028] Referring to Figures 1-5, an embodiment of this utility model provides a drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms, which may include a housing 5, a first end cap 26, a second end cap 27, a heat exchange tube 3, sight glasses (6,7), lifting rings (17,18), support components (1,2), an expansion joint 4, baffles (23,24,25), flow valves (19,20,21,22), flow acquisition devices (28,29,30,31), temperature acquisition devices (32,33,34,35), pressure acquisition devices (36,37,38,39), and a central controller 40.
[0029] The outer casing 5 is a cylindrical structure extending laterally along its centerline. The upper part of the outer casing 5 has a seawater inlet 13 and a seawater outlet 14, which are respectively located at the first and second ends of the outer casing 5. The upper part of the outer casing 5 has an exhaust port 11. The lower part of the outer casing 5 may have a sewage outlet 8.
[0030] A first end cap 26 is sealed to the first end of the outer casing 5. The first end cap 26 has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber located below the inlet chamber. The inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are separated by a partition plate. The inlet chamber has a drilling fluid inlet 15 on the side facing away from the outer casing 5. The side of the inlet chamber closest to the outer casing 5 may have a first heat exchanger tube connection port. Multiple first heat exchanger tube connections ports can be evenly arranged. The outlet chamber has a drilling fluid outlet 16 on the side facing away from the outer casing 5. The side of the outlet chamber closest to the outer casing 5 may have a second heat exchanger connection port. Multiple second heat exchanger connections ports can be evenly arranged.
[0031] A second end cap 27 is encapsulated at the second end of the housing 5. The second end cap 27 has a communicating cavity. An inspection port may be present on the side of the communicating cavity opposite to the housing 5. The inspection port may include a first inspection port 9 and a second inspection port 10. The centerline of the first inspection port 9 may extend laterally. The centerline of the second inspection port 10 may slope downwards. The inner diameter of the second inspection port 10 may be larger than the inner diameter of the first inspection port 10. A third heat exchanger communicating port may be present on the side of the communicating cavity closest to the housing 5. The number of third heat exchanger communicating ports may be the sum of the number of first and second heat exchanger communicating ports, and they are laterally corresponding to the first and second heat exchanger communicating ports.
[0032] The heat exchange tube 3 is disposed inside the outer casing 5. The heat exchange tube 3 connects the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber to the connecting chamber respectively. The heat exchanger can connect the first heat exchanger connecting port to the third heat exchanger connecting port, and connect the second heat exchanger connecting port to the third heat exchanger connecting port. The number of heat exchangers can be the same as the number of the third heat exchanger connecting ports. The heat exchange tube 3 is a finned tube, a circular finned tube, a seamless spiral finned heat dissipation tube, or an aluminum strip fin covered on the surface of the heat exchange tube 3.
[0033] The viewing mirrors (6,7) can be disposed on one side of the housing 5 in the longitudinal direction, and at the first end and the second end of the housing 5.
[0034] The lifting rings (17, 18) can be set on the upper part of the housing 5, and at the first and second ends of the housing 5.
[0035] Support components (1,2) can be disposed at the lower part of housing 5, and at the first and second ends of housing 5.
[0036] The expansion joint 4 can be located in the middle of the outer casing 5.
[0037] Baffles (23, 24, 25) can be disposed inside the outer casing 5 and connected to the inner wall of the outer casing 5. Heat exchange tubes 3 are threaded through the baffles (23, 24, 25). Under the above conditions, the baffles (23, 24, 25) can have perforations for the heat exchange tubes 3 to pass through. The heat exchange tubes 3 can be installed through the baffles (23, 24, 25).
[0038] The buffer plate 12 is installed inside the outer shell 5 and faces the seawater inlet 13 to buffer the seawater entering the outer shell 5.
[0039] Flow valves (19, 20, 21, 22) are installed at seawater inlet 13, seawater outlet 14, drilling fluid inlet 15, and drilling fluid outlet 16. These flow valves (19, 20, 21, 22) are used to adjust the flow rates of drilling fluid and seawater. Flow valve 22 can be installed at seawater inlet 13. Flow valve 21 can be installed at seawater outlet 14. Flow valve 19 can be installed at drilling fluid inlet 15. Flow valve 20 can be installed at drilling fluid outlet 16.
[0040] Flow acquisition devices (28, 29, 30, 31) are installed at seawater inlet 13, seawater outlet 14, drilling fluid inlet 15, and drilling fluid outlet 16. These flow acquisition devices (28, 29, 30, 31) are used to collect the flow rates of seawater and drilling mud at the inlet and outlet. Flow acquisition device 28 can be installed at seawater inlet 13. Flow acquisition device 30 can be installed at seawater outlet 14. Flow acquisition device 29 can be installed at drilling fluid inlet 15. Flow acquisition device 31 can be installed at drilling fluid outlet 16.
[0041] Temperature acquisition devices (32, 33, 34, 35) are installed at seawater inlet 13, seawater outlet 14, drilling fluid inlet 15, and drilling fluid outlet 16. These temperature acquisition devices (32, 33, 34, 35) are used to collect the temperatures of the seawater and drilling fluid inlets and outlets. Temperature acquisition device 32 can be installed at seawater inlet 13. Temperature acquisition device 34 can be installed at seawater outlet 14. Temperature acquisition device 33 can be installed at drilling fluid inlet 15. Temperature acquisition device 35 can be installed at drilling fluid outlet 16.
[0042] Pressure acquisition devices (36, 37, 38, 39) are installed at seawater inlet 13, seawater outlet 14, drilling fluid inlet 15, and drilling fluid outlet 16. These pressure acquisition devices (36, 37, 38, 39) are used to acquire the pressure at the seawater and drilling fluid inlets and outlets. Specifically, pressure acquisition device 36 can be installed at seawater inlet 13. Pressure acquisition device 38 can be installed at seawater outlet 14. Pressure acquisition device 37 can be installed at drilling fluid inlet 15. Pressure acquisition device 39 can be installed at drilling fluid outlet 16.
[0043] The central controller 40 is connected to flow valves (19,20,21,22) and to flow acquisition devices (28,29,30,31), temperature acquisition devices (32,33,34,35), and pressure acquisition devices (36,37,38,39). Under the above conditions, during operation, by energizing the flow valves (19,20,21,22), flow acquisition devices (28,29,30,31), temperature acquisition devices (32,33,34,35), pressure acquisition devices (36,37,38,39), and the central controller 40, seawater and drilling fluid enter the device respectively. Flow acquisition devices (28,29,30,31) collect the flow rates of seawater and drilling fluid inlet and outlet, temperature acquisition devices (32,33,34,35) collect the temperatures of seawater and drilling fluid inlet and outlet, and pressure acquisition devices (28,29,30,31) collect the flow rates ... Devices 36, 37, 38, and 39 collect the pressure at the inlet and outlet of seawater and drilling fluid. The collected flow rate, temperature, and pressure information are transmitted to the central controller 40. The central controller 40 calculates the flow rate, temperature, and pressure based on the data collected by the flow rate acquisition devices (28, 29, 30, 31), temperature acquisition devices (32, 33, 34, 35), and pressure acquisition devices (36, 37, 38, 39), and issues commands to control the opening of the flow valves (19, 20, 21, 22) to adjust the flow rates of drilling fluid and seawater, thereby achieving control of drilling fluid cooling. This setup enables automatic monitoring and control of the device. The central controller 40 may include a remote control valve 41 and a display screen 42.
[0044] In related technologies, drilling fluid cooling devices are mainly plate cooling systems. Plate coolers consist of a series of metal plates with a certain corrugated shape stacked together to form thin rectangular channels through which heat exchange occurs. Although this design provides high-efficiency heat exchange, it has certain disadvantages in offshore platform applications: (1) Plate coolers are generally not suitable for extremely high temperature and high pressure environments because their structure is relatively fragile and prone to leakage or failure in such environments; (2) The internal structure of plate coolers is complex, requiring high technical skills for maintenance and cleaning, and disassembly and assembly are relatively cumbersome; (3) The plates of plate coolers are relatively thin, and seawater contains silt, marine organisms, and corrosive media, which can easily cause corrosion and blockage. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a new type of drilling fluid cooling system suitable for offshore platform operations. Based on the actual conditions of the platform site space, drilling fluid system, and seawater system, and based on the principle of seawater circulation heat exchange cooling, this utility model provides a drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms by conducting thermal analysis and optimizing the cooler type and structure, overcoming the above-mentioned shortcomings.
[0045] The main working principle of the device of this utility model is as follows:
[0046] (1) Tubing side (medium is drilling fluid)
[0047] 1) The medium enters from the drilling fluid inlet and enters the exchanger body through drilling fluid inlet valves A and B.
[0048] 2) The medium is internally reversed and flows out from the drilling fluid outlet valve C (flushing water discharge valve D is closed).
[0049] (2) Shell side (medium is seawater)
[0050] 1) The medium enters from the seawater inlet, passes through the seawater inlet valves E and F (valve G is closed, flushing water inlet is closed), and enters the body of the seawater cooling device.
[0051] 2) The medium is internally reversed and flows out from the seawater outlet valve H.
[0052] (3) Backflush (the medium is fresh water, and it is only used for water-based drilling fluids)
[0053] 1) Backflushing of the tube side of the drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger:
[0054] Freshwater flushing water inlet valve I (valve E and F closed, seawater inlet closed) → seawater inlet valve G → check valve → drilling fluid inlet valve B (drilling fluid inlet valve A closed) → heat exchanger body tube side → flushing water discharge valve D (drilling fluid outlet valve C closed) → dedicated discharge pool;
[0055] 2) Drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger shell side backflushing:
[0056] Freshwater flushing water inlet valve I → seawater inlet valve F (valve E and G are closed, seawater inlet is closed) → heat exchanger body shell side → seawater outlet valve H → discharge to sea.
[0057] By employing the device of this utility model, seawater continuously flows into the outer shell 5 from the seawater inlet 13 and flows out of the outer shell 5 from the seawater outlet 14. Drilling fluid flows into the inlet chamber from the drilling fluid inlet, and then into the heat exchange tube 3 inside the outer shell 5, where it exchanges heat with the seawater inside the outer shell 5, achieving initial cooling of the drilling fluid. Then, the drilling fluid flows into the connecting cavity and back into the heat exchange tube 3 inside the outer shell 5, where it exchanges heat with the seawater inside the outer shell 5 again, achieving further cooling of the drilling fluid. Finally, the drilling fluid flows into the outlet chamber and out from the drilling fluid outlet 16. The above process achieves efficient heat exchange between the drilling fluid and the seawater, thereby achieving cooling of the drilling fluid and improving the cooling effect of the drilling fluid. The device of this utility model can achieve the following test results: (1) The real-time drilling fluid processing capacity of the device reaches 200 m3 / h; (2) The temperature of the drilling fluid at the outlet of the device is more than 20% lower than the temperature at the inlet.
[0058] In the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, 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, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0059] 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. A heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms, characterized in that, include: The outer shell is a cylindrical structure with a horizontally extending centerline. The upper part of the outer shell has a seawater inlet and a seawater outlet, which are respectively located at the first end and the second end of the outer shell. A first end cap is encapsulated at the first end of the outer casing. The first end cap has an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber located below the inlet chamber. The inlet chamber has a drilling fluid inlet on the side opposite to the outer casing, and the outlet chamber has a drilling fluid outlet on the side opposite to the outer casing. A second end cap is encapsulated at the second end of the outer shell, and the second end cap has a communicating cavity; a heat exchange tube is disposed inside the outer shell, and the heat exchange tube connects the liquid inlet cavity and the liquid outlet cavity to the communicating cavity respectively.
2. The heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A sight glass is disposed on one side of the housing in the longitudinal direction, and is disposed at the first end and the second end of the housing; A lifting ring is disposed on the upper part of the housing and at the first and second ends of the housing; a support assembly is disposed on the lower part of the housing and at the first and second ends of the housing.
3. The heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An expansion joint is located at the middle position of the outer shell; a baffle plate is located inside the outer shell and connected to the inner wall of the outer shell, and the heat exchange tube passes through the baffle plate; a buffer plate is located inside the outer shell and faces the seawater inlet.
4. The drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part of the outer casing has an exhaust port.
5. The heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the outer casing has a drain port.
6. The heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The communicating cavity has an inspection port on the side opposite to the outer shell.
7. The drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The inspection port includes a first inspection port and a second inspection port. The centerline of the first inspection port extends laterally, and the centerline of the second inspection port slopes downward. The inner diameter of the second inspection port is larger than that of the second inspection port.
8. The drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A flow valve is installed at the seawater inlet, the seawater outlet, the drilling fluid inlet, and the drilling fluid outlet.
9. The heat exchanger device for cooling drilling fluid on offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes: a flow rate acquisition device, installed at the seawater inlet, the seawater outlet, the drilling fluid inlet, and the drilling fluid outlet; a temperature acquisition device, installed at the seawater inlet, the seawater outlet, the drilling fluid inlet, and the drilling fluid outlet; and a pressure acquisition device, installed at the seawater inlet, the seawater outlet, the drilling fluid inlet, and the drilling fluid outlet.
10. The drilling fluid cooling heat exchanger device for offshore drilling platforms as described in claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: The central controller is connected to the flow valve, and also to the flow acquisition device, the temperature acquisition device, and the pressure acquisition device.