Downhole Acoustic Separation for Multi-Phase Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole artificial lift pumps face inefficiencies when handling multi-phase hydrocarbon and carrier fluid mixtures, leading to reduced hydrocarbon output and increased wear, and traditional gas and fluid separators are costly, unreliable, and difficult to deploy and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A downhole multi-phase fluid mixture system that uses acoustic devices to generate standing acoustic waves, separating fluids by dispersing particles to pressure nodal and anti-nodal planes, and multiple sets of acoustic devices are used to progressively separate fluids into smaller droplets, forming a homogenized mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gas and fluid separators are used to separate hydrocarbon resources from carrier fluids, then separation function is provided, but the system becomes costly, unreliable, and difficult to deploy and service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical gas and fluid separators with an acoustic field-based separation system. Acoustic devices generate standing waves that create acoustic radiation pressure to separate hydrocarbon resources from carrier fluids, eliminating complex mechanical separation equipment while maintaining reliable separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to achieve fluid separation. The acoustic field acts as a mediator that exerts radiation pressure on fluid particles, enabling separation without direct mechanical contact or complex separator structures.
2Productivity
If pumps handle unhomogenized multi-phase mixtures, then pumping function is provided, but pump efficiency decreases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary homogenization action before pumping by using acoustic waves to mix multi-phase fluids into a homogeneous mixture. This pre-treatment prevents pump inefficiency and wear by ensuring the pump receives properly homogenized fluid, thereby maintaining high hydrocarbon output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical mixing mechanisms with acoustic field-based homogenization. Acoustic radiation pressure and cavitation effects create intense mixing without mechanical contact, eliminating wear while achieving thorough homogenization for efficient pumping.
3Manufacturing precision
If acoustic devices generate standing waves to separate fluids into smaller droplets, then separation precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic acoustic wave generation to create standing waves with alternating pressure nodes and anti-nodes. This periodic action continuously redistributes fluid particles, achieving precise separation into smaller droplets while maintaining energy efficiency through rhythmic rather than continuous high-energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs acoustic vibration to achieve fluid separation. The standing waves create oscillating pressure fields that vibrate fluid particles into nodal regions, enabling precise droplet separation through vibrational energy rather than continuous mechanical force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves fluid flow and separation efficiency, reducing wear on pumps and increasing hydrocarbon output by effectively separating and homogenizing multi-phase mixtures, while being more cost-effective and reliable than traditional separators.
Implementation Method 1
generating a standing acoustic wave through the conveyance... forming one or more pressure nodes and one or more pressure anti-nodes within the conveyance to separate droplets of the first fluid into smaller droplets
Implementation Method 2
generating a standing acoustic wave through the conveyance based on the flow rate and the fluid condition of the fluid mixture
Data Source
AI summary
Methods to improve fluid flow of a multi-phase mixture, methods to separate fluids of a multi-phase mixture, and downhole multi-phase fluid mixture systems are disclosed. A method to improve fluid flow of a multi-phase mixture includes positioning a first acoustic device and a second acoustic device around a conveyance that provides a fluid flow path for a first fluid in a first phase and a second fluid in a second phase to simultaneously flow through the conveyance. The method also includes determining a flow rate and a fluid condition of the fluid mixture. The method further includes generating a standing acoustic wave through the conveyance based on the flow rate and the fluid condition to break down the first fluid into droplets having volume within a threshold volume.