Ball Check Valve Integration for Autonomous Inflow Flow Restriction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrocarbon production well systems face challenges in effectively regulating the flow of formation fluids, particularly in preventing water and gas coning, minimizing unwanted fluid production, and maximizing desired fluid production, as existing devices often lack discrimination between different types of fluids and may require operator control.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a ball check valve with a dissolvable ball into autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs) to create a temporary seal and restrict fluid flow through flow ports, allowing for automatic regulation of fluid flow without operator intervention and enabling temporary or permanent flow restriction based on fluid type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a ball check valve with a dissolvable ball is incorporated into an autonomous inflow control device, then the device can automatically regulate fluid flow without operator intervention and provide temporary or permanent flow restriction, but the device complexity increases due to the additional valve components and dissolvable ball mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The ball check valve system enables the AICD to automatically regulate fluid flow without operator intervention. The dissolvable ball provides temporary self-regulating flow control, dissolving automatically when its function is complete, thereby eliminating the need for manual operation or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable ball changes its physical state from solid to dissolved, transitioning the flow restriction from permanent to temporary. This parameter change allows the device to adapt its flow control characteristics over time without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple components.
2Reliability
If the ball check valve creates a seal to restrict fluid flow through flow ports, then unwanted fluids are prevented from entering the wellbore, but the device complexity increases due to the sealing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable ball serves as a temporary sealing element that performs its flow restriction function and then dissolves when no longer needed. This disposable approach provides reliable flow control during critical periods without requiring complex, reusable sealing mechanisms that would need maintenance or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable ball utilizes phase transition from solid to dissolved state to provide temporary sealing. This natural phase change creates an effective seal during the dissolution period without requiring complex mechanical sealing components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
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 solution effectively regulates fluid flow, preventing unwanted fluids from entering the wellbore while allowing desired fluids to flow, thereby optimizing production by minimizing water and gas coning and maximizing oil production, and can be temporarily or permanently adjusted as needed.
Implementation Method 1
the ball check valve may comprise a dissolvable ball that may provide a temporary function rather than a permanent one
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for controlling the fluid flow to and from the flow ports of an autonomous inflow control device (AICD). Features may include the addition of a ball check valve to the AICD. A well system may comprise: a production tubing; a flow control device, wherein the flow control device is disposed onto the production tubing; and a ball check valve disposed between the flow control device and the production tubing to restrict flow into the production tubing through a port in the flow control device, wherein the ball check valve comprises a housing and a ball.