Borehole Seal Temperature Control for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries, maintaining a steady thermal condition in boreholes is challenging due to fluid exchange, which affects seal performance and increases costs as seals require a broader temperature range for reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating temperature control mechanisms, such as doped seal materials or separate temperature controllers like thermoelectric devices and vortex tubes, to manage the seal temperature within a target range, ensuring optimal sealing performance across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are designed to operate over a broader temperature range to accommodate fluid exchange, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature of the seal to maintain it within a specific operating range (e.g., 20°C to 80°C) despite fluid exchange causing temperature fluctuations. This is achieved through heating elements, cooling elements, or thermoelectric devices that adjust the seal temperature dynamically, allowing the use of standard seals designed for narrow temperature ranges while maintaining reliability in variable thermal environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature control devices (heating elements, cooling elements, or thermoelectric devices) as intermediaries between the seal and the fluctuating thermal environment caused by fluid exchange. These intermediaries actively regulate the seal temperature, protecting the seal from direct exposure to extreme or variable temperatures while maintaining optimal sealing performance
2Productivity
If fluid exchange is increased to improve resource recovery and fluid sequestration, then productivity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the seal temperature (via temperature sensors) and adjusting the heating or cooling input accordingly. The controller receives temperature data and modulates the power to heating/cooling elements or reverses thermoelectric device polarity to maintain the seal within the target temperature range, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for thermal disturbances from fluid exchange
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through reversible thermoelectric devices that can switch between heating and cooling modes based on real-time temperature conditions. When the seal temperature drops below the target range, the device operates in heating mode; when it exceeds the range, the polarity reverses to provide cooling, creating periodic bidirectional thermal regulation that maintains stability during continuous fluid exchange
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 enhances sealing reliability and reduces costs by maintaining seals within a preferred temperature range, improving performance despite temperature fluctuations caused by fluid injection and extraction.
Implementation Method 1
temperature controlling seals to maintain sealing loading by managing temperature of the seal to a target temperature range
Implementation Method 2
separate temperature controllers like thermoelectric devices
Implementation Method 3
vortex tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A method for improving sealing in boreholes includes temperature controlling seals to maintain sealing loading by managing temperature of the seal to a target temperature range. A borehole system includes a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, a seal tool in contact with the string and temperature controller within or in thermal proximity to the seal.