Ditch Magnet Wiper Plate for Safe Metal Cutting Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ditch magnets used in oil and gas well drilling struggle to safely and efficiently remove irregularly shaped metal cuttings and shavings from drilling mud, posing safety risks and increasing operational time due to the need for manual handling of sharp debris.
Innovation Solution
A magnetized bar with end plates and a non-magnetic wiper plate that slides between the end plates to remove adhered metal cuttings, allowing for safe and efficient collection of metal debris into a container for analysis, reducing the risk of injury and streamlining the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ditch magnets are used to remove metal cuttings, then metal removal function is achieved, but safety is compromised due to sharp edges and jagged debris
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic wiper plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnetic field and the operator. The wiper plate contacts the metal cuttings and transfers them to a container, preventing direct contact between the operator and sharp debris while maintaining effective metal removal
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet assembly is divided into functional segments: a magnetic portion for attracting metal cuttings, a non-magnetic wiper plate for contacting and transferring cuttings, and a container for collection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function safely and efficiently
2Productivity
If manual handling of ditch magnets with sharp debris is performed, then metal cuttings can be collected, but operational time increases due to safety precautions and careful handling
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper plate is designed to automatically wipe metal cuttings from the magnet surface and transfer them to the container as the magnet moves through the drilling mud stream. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual scraping or careful handling, significantly reducing operational time
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper plate and container are merged into a single integrated assembly that moves together through the mud stream. Metal cuttings are continuously transferred from the magnet to the container within this unified structure, streamlining the collection process and reducing time for separate handling operations
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 safe handling and efficient removal of metal cuttings, reducing the risk of worker injury and saving time, which translates to significant cost savings in oil and gas well drilling operations by allowing for quicker handling and analysis of collected debris.
Implementation Method 1
Magnets have been used to remove metal from a flow stream of oil well drilling mud
Implementation Method 2
a non-magnetic wiper plate attaches to the magnetized bar in between the end plates, the wiper plate being slidable upon the magnetized bar between the end plates so that movement of the wiper plate from one end plate to the other end plate enables removal of the metal cuttings from the magnetized bar
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method and apparatus for removing metal cuttings from an oil well drilling mud stream provides a magnetic body or “ditch magnet” having end plates that extend radially and circumferentially from the magnetic body, the plates being positioned at end portions of the magnetic body. A third plate in the form of a wiper is used to dislodge metal cuttings and other metallic material from the magnetic body after the magnetic body has accumulated such metallic parts. One of the end plates can be removable to facilitate a complete scraping or wiping of the metallic parts from the metallic body by the wiper plate.