Band-stop Filter for Downhole Particle Volume Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing downhole particles in wellbore drilling operations are inefficient, requiring costly setups to exclude external light sources and lacking precision in determining particle volume due to interference from infrared and visible light.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a band-stop filter with a camera to exclude infrared and visible light, combined with controlled illumination sources like lasers, allows for precise analysis of downhole particles by filtering out unwanted light and using deflections to calculate particle volume based on height, width, and velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external light sources are excluded to improve measurement precision, then particle volume measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring darkroom environment setups
Solution Approach 1:
A band-stop filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the camera sensor. The filter selectively blocks infrared and visible light wavelengths while allowing other wavelengths to pass through, thereby eliminating the need for a darkroom environment while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using illumination sources with specific wavelengths and pairing them with band-stop filters that block only unwanted wavelengths. This parameter-based approach allows precise particle measurement without requiring complete light exclusion, simplifying the experimental setup.
2Ease of operation
If infrared and visible light are not filtered, then the imaging process can proceed in normal lighting conditions, but measurement precision deteriorates due to light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The band-stop filter serves as a mediator that allows the system to operate in normal lighting conditions while protecting the measurement process from harmful light interference. The filter selectively transmits useful wavelengths while blocking interfering infrared and visible light.
3Measurement precision
If a darkroom environment is created to exclude light, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases due to setup time and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The band-stop filter enables continuous operation in normal lighting conditions, eliminating the need to create and exit darkroom environments. This maintains measurement precision while avoiding the productivity losses associated with setup and teardown time.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination sources and band-stop filters are pre-configured to work together, allowing immediate measurement without requiring preliminary darkroom setup. The system is prepared in advance to operate effectively in normal lighting conditions.
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
This approach enables accurate and cost-effective analysis of downhole particle volume without the need for a 'darkroom' environment, reducing downtime and enhancing precision in determining the volume of particles returning to the surface during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
filtering infrared electromagnetic radiation from an aperture of an image acquisition unit with a band-stop filter
Implementation Method 2
at least one illumination source directable toward a shale shaker to emit a light output
Implementation Method 3
determine a volume of downhole particles using deflections of the light output observed by the image acquisition unit
Data Source
AI summary
A system including an image acquisition unit in optical communication with a flow pathway. The system may include at least one illumination source directable toward a shale shaker. The illumination source may emit a light output. A band-stop filter may be affixed to the image acquisition unit to filter out infrared light. The band-stop filter may also allow electromagnetic radiation of the light output to reach the image acquisition unit. An analysis device may be used to determine a volume of downhole particles on the shale shaker using deflections of the light output observed by the image acquisition unit.