Subsurface Temperature Profiling via Atomic Dielectric Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining subsurface temperatures, particularly in hydrocarbon recovery and geothermal applications, are costly and inefficient, requiring frequent drilling and thermometer insertion.
Innovation Solution
A method using Atomic Dielectric Resonance (ADR) technology to measure subsurface temperatures by transmitting electromagnetic pulses and analyzing the resonant energy responses, allowing for the creation of a temperature profile without physical drilling, through techniques like Wide Angle Reflection and Refraction (WARR) and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional thermometer insertion methods are used to measure subsurface temperatures, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase due to frequent drilling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling and physical thermometer insertion system with an electromagnetic wave-based measurement system. ADR technology uses electromagnetic pulses to remotely sense temperature through subsurface materials without physical contact, eliminating the need for drilling operations while maintaining measurement capability through dielectric resonance analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer measurement information from the subsurface to the surface. The ADR system transmits electromagnetic pulses that interact with subsurface materials and return modified signals containing temperature information, allowing indirect measurement without physical intrusion
2Ease of operation
If electromagnetic wave methods are used to measure subsurface temperatures, then operational simplicity is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised compared to direct thermometer contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures temperature by detecting changes in dielectric parameters (permittivity and loss factor) of subsurface materials as a function of temperature. The ADR system analyzes how these electromagnetic parameters vary with temperature to derive accurate temperature measurements indirectly through parameter correlation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact measurement with electromagnetic field-based measurement, using the interaction between electromagnetic waves and subsurface materials to infer temperature without physical intrusion, thereby maintaining precision while improving operational ease
3Reliability
If frequent temperature measurements are made using traditional methods, then data reliability is improved, but time consumption and cost increase due to repeated drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous or repeated temperature measurements without interrupting subsurface operations. The ADR system can perform multiple measurements in quick succession by simply transmitting electromagnetic pulses from the surface, eliminating the time-consuming drilling cycle and allowing frequent monitoring for process control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-intensive mechanical drilling and thermometer insertion process with rapid electromagnetic wave transmission and reception. The ADR system can acquire temperature data almost instantaneously by transmitting pulses and analyzing returned signals, dramatically reducing measurement time while maintaining data reliability through repeated observations
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective determination of subsurface temperature profiles, improving hydrocarbon recovery and geothermal energy exploration by providing detailed geological and thermal data without the need for invasive drilling.
Implementation Method 1
A method of determining temperatures of material, and in particular temperatures within the subsurface, comprises: transmitting (1004), using a transmitter (1001), an electromagnetic pulse (100) into the ground (1000)
Implementation Method 2
processing (1006), using a processor (1002), the reflected signals to determine a temperature for each layer within the subsurface (1000) by a Fast Fourier Transform analysis
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method of determining subsurface temperatures of a surveyed region. The method comprises using a transmitter to transmit a pulsed electromagnetic signal into the ground; using a receiver to detect a return signal following interaction of said transmitted signal with features of the subsurface and determining one or more temperatures within the subsurface from the return signal. The temperature may be determined from a dielectric constant of a subsurface region, as determined from the received signal.