Chemo-Resistive Sensor Array for Wellbore Fluid Composition Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the composition of fluids in oil and gas well operations lack accuracy and efficiency, particularly in analyzing vapors produced from drilling fluids to determine component quantities, which is crucial for optimizing hydrocarbon well production and well control.
Innovation Solution
A chemical sensor system comprising electro-chemical resistor sensors and an information handling system that diverts a fluid sample, heats it to produce vapors, and uses a chemical sensor array to determine the composition of these vapors, allowing for precise analysis of volatile organic compounds and other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to analyze fluid composition in wellbore operations, then the analysis process is simple, but the accuracy and efficiency of determining fluid composition and component quantities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid analysis into separate functional stages: sample collection, heating/vaporization, and compositional analysis by multiple sensors. Each sensor type (GC-MS, GC-FID, ion mobility spectrometer) analyzes specific aspects of the vapor composition, allowing accurate multi-component analysis while keeping each individual sensor component relatively simple and specialized.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical sensor system is designed to perform multiple analysis functions using a unified platform. The same vaporization chamber and sample introduction system serve multiple sensor types (mass spectrometry, flame ionization detection, ion mobility spectrometry), enabling comprehensive fluid composition analysis including hydrocarbons, gases, and other components through a single integrated system.
2Productivity
If traditional fluid analysis methods are used, then the equipment is simple, but the efficiency of real-time production optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous or near-continuous fluid composition analysis by maintaining a steady-state vaporization process and continuously introducing vapor into the detection chambers. The automated sample processing and multi-sensor analysis allow uninterrupted monitoring of production parameters, providing real-time data for optimization without the downtime associated with batch analysis methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary vaporization and sample preparation actions automatically before the actual compositional analysis begins. The heating chamber pre-processes the liquid sample into vapor form, and the system automatically sequences the multiple sensor analyses, reducing the overall time required while maintaining comprehensive analysis coverage.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive fluid composition analysis is performed, then the accuracy of hydrocarbon reserve determination is improved, but the complexity of the analysis system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive analysis is divided into separate detection channels, each specialized for specific compound classes. The mass spectrometry component analyzes molecular weight and structure, the flame ionization detector quantifies hydrocarbon content, and the ion mobility spectrometer identifies gas components. This segmentation allows comprehensive analysis while keeping each sensor component optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple complementary sensor technologies into a unified analysis platform that shares common sample introduction and vaporization systems. By combining the strengths of mass spectrometry, flame ionization detection, and ion mobility spectrometry in a single integrated system with shared infrastructure, the patent achieves comprehensive analysis capability while minimizing redundant components and reducing overall system complexity.
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 efficient analysis of fluid compositions, improving the determination of hydrocarbon reserves and optimizing well operations by providing real-time data on fluid properties and reservoir conditions.
Implementation Method 1
actuating a heat source disposed around the test chamber to increase the temperature within the test chamber to produce vapors from the sample of the portion of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
one or more chemical sensors, wherein the one or more chemical sensors are operable to measure a change in electrical resistance based, at least in part, on one or more gas particles of the vapors interacting with each of the one or more chemical sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method for determining a composition of a fluid. The method comprises diverting a sample of a portion of the fluid to a test chamber. The method further comprises actuating a heat source disposed around the test chamber to increase the temperature within the test chamber to produce vapors from the sample of the portion of the fluid and directing the vapors from the sample of the portion of the fluid to a chemical sensor array comprising one or more chemical sensors. The method further comprises determining a composition of the vapors from the sample of portion of the fluid, wherein the composition of the vapors is associated with the composition of the fluid.