Density-Based Flow Control Rotor for Orientation-Insensitive Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow control devices in well systems face challenges in selectively controlling the production of oil, water, and gas, as they are often sensitive to orientation and prone to sticking in open or closed positions due to small density differences, leading to inefficient fluid composition management.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow control device that includes a rotatable component with float components, which toggles between open and closed positions based on fluid density, using centrifugal force to overcome gravitational effects and ensure orientation insensitivity, allowing for autonomous control of fluid flow based on density differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid flow control devices are used, then they can control fluid flow, but they are sensitive to orientation and prone to sticking due to small density differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a centrifugal force mechanism that generates an outward force counteracting the gravitational effect on the float component. The rotatable component, when rotated by fluid flow, creates centrifugal force that pushes the float outward, overcoming the small density difference forces that cause sticking. This counterbalancing approach eliminates orientation sensitivity and improves reliability across various well orientations.
2Ease of operation
If float components are used to control fluid flow based on density, then fluid composition management is enabled, but the device sticks in open or closed positions due to small density differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration or oscillation mechanism to the float component or rotatable component that creates periodic motion. This vibration prevents the float from settling into a stuck position by continuously disrupting the equilibrium that occurs with small density differences. The oscillating motion ensures the device can transition freely between open and closed positions while maintaining autonomous control based on fluid density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing centrifugal force through rotation, which fundamentally alters the force balance acting on the float component. This parameter change from static gravitational force to dynamic centrifugal force eliminates the sticking problem while preserving the autonomous density-based control functionality.
3Productivity
If density-based control is implemented, then fluid composition management is improved, but the device is sensitive to orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal force mechanism acts as a counterweight to gravitational effects, creating an orientation-independent force field. This allows the density-based fluid composition management to function effectively regardless of the wellbore orientation, whether vertical, horizontal, or at any angle in between.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the force parameter from gravity-dependent to centrifugal force-dependent, the device achieves adaptability to various orientations while maintaining its productivity in fluid composition management through density-based control.
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 device effectively directs fluids through different pathways based on density, enhancing fluid composition management by preventing higher-density fluids from exiting while allowing lower-density fluids to flow, thus improving the proportion of desired components in production fluid, and maintaining reliability across various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
the float component is moveable to the closed position in response to a fluid from the inlet port having a first density and a centrifugal force being applied to the float component by rotating the rotatable component about the axis
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow control device includes a rotatable component for rotating about an axis in response to fluid flow from an inlet port of the fluid flow control device. A float component is positioned within the rotatable component and connected to the rotatable component by a hinge. The hinge provides for movement of the float component relative to the rotatable component between (i) an open position that enables fluid flow from the inlet port to an outlet port of the rotatable component, and (ii) a closed position that restricts fluid flow through a flow passage from the inlet port to the outlet port.