Degradable Grip Composite for Downhole Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current equipment used in geologic environments for operations such as drilling, cementing, and fracturing lacks effective, degradable components that can adapt to changing conditions, particularly in aqueous environments, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a blend of non-degradable and degradable materials, where a degradable matrix is formed with non-degradable particles, creating a grip that degrades in aqueous environments, allowing for adaptive anchoring and operation within geologic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a grip is made entirely of non-degradable material, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but environmental harm and difficulty of removal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is constructed as a composite material combining non-degradable hard particles (diamond, cubic boron nitride, carbides, or ceramics) embedded in a degradable metal matrix (magnesium, zinc, or aluminum alloy). This composite structure provides the necessary mechanical strength for anchoring operations while the degradable matrix allows the grip to break down after use, eliminating environmental harm and facilitating easy removal from the wellbore.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a grip is made entirely of degradable material, then environmental harm is reduced, but mechanical strength and reliability during operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with non-degradable hard particles distributed throughout the degradable metal matrix ensures that the grip maintains sufficient mechanical strength and operational reliability during the anchoring operation. The hard particles provide wear resistance and structural integrity, while the metal matrix provides ductility and toughness, creating a balanced material system that is both reliable during use and environmentally benign after degradation.
3Strength
If a grip uses hard non-degradable particles, then hardness and wear resistance are improved, but degradability in aqueous environment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material design allows the hard non-degradable particles to provide necessary hardness and wear resistance for anchoring operations, while the degradable metal matrix ensures the overall structure degrades in the aqueous downhole environment after use. The particles act as reinforcement within the matrix, maintaining structural integrity during operation while allowing the matrix to degrade and facilitate grip removal.
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 enables components to maintain mechanical integrity during operations while ensuring degradability, facilitating safe passage and efficient completion of tasks without long-term environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a degradable matrix that is degradable in an aqueous environment
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes pressing a blend of materials; and forming a degradable grip from the pressed blend of materials. The blend of materials includes a non-degradable material that is not degradable in an aqueous environment and an aqueous degradable alloy material. The pressing step includes using a high pressure and high temperature press.