Downhole Cooling Fluid Circulation for High-Temperature Tool Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Downhole equipment in boreholes faces high temperatures, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased maintenance costs, as existing cooling technologies are not effectively adaptable to high-temperature conditions without significant modification or replacement of tools.

Innovation Solution

The method involves circulating cooling fluids in the borehole to reduce temperatures, using existing tools and equipment, and combining passive and active cooling techniques, such as Peltier coolers, to create a cooler environment for downhole tools, allowing them to operate beyond their design temperature ranges without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cooling technologies are used in high-temperature downhole environments, then equipment temperature is reduced, but tool complexity and modification requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownhole temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of cooling the equipment directly, the invention inverts the approach by cooling the borehole environment itself through circulating cooling fluid in the annulus. This external cooling method eliminates the need for complex internal cooling systems within the downhole tools, thereby reducing tool complexity while achieving the desired temperature reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a cooling fluid as an intermediary substance that circulates in the annulus between the borehole wall and the casing. This fluid acts as a heat transfer medium, absorbing excess heat from the environment and transporting it away, thereby cooling the overall downhole environment without requiring direct integration of cooling mechanisms into the equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If existing tools are used without modification in high-temperature environments, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but operational duration and reliability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidhigh-temperature damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling fluid circulation system is established before the downhole tools are deployed or immediately upon deployment. This preliminary cooling action creates a protected thermal environment in advance, allowing the tools to operate within their designed temperature ranges throughout the extended operational duration without suffering from high-temperature damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful high-temperature environment into a beneficial cooled environment by circulating cooling fluid through the annulus. The thermal energy that would otherwise damage the equipment is captured and removed by the cooling system, transforming the harmful thermal condition into a controlled and beneficial operating temperature range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If cooling fluid circulation is implemented, then downhole temperature is reduced, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment reliabilityVSAvoidcooling energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by circulating a liquid cooling fluid through the annulus. This hydraulic system leverages the high heat capacity and efficient heat transfer properties of liquids to remove thermal energy effectively. The system can be designed to operate passively or with minimal pumping energy, achieving reliable temperature control without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 provides significant temperature reductions, enabling tools to operate effectively in high-temperature environments for longer periods with reduced maintenance and operational costs, while maintaining tool integrity and flexibility in various logging and monitoring applications.

Implementation Method 1

circulating cooling fluids in a borehole to provide significant reduction in downhole temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

By means of circulating fluids in the borehole, a significant reduction of the downhole temperature can be achieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

combining passive cooling, for example, Peltier coolers, and active cooling of the borehole environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8453738B2Methods and systems for downhole active cooling

Publication Date: 2013.06.04 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Subterranean oilfield high-temperature devices configured or designed to operate at elevated temperatures downhole in a well traversing a formation. A tool conveyance is configured for deployment in the well with a downhole cartridge comprising high-temperature sensitive components. A downhole cooling system includes a cooling fluid conduit having a first end configured for fluid connection with a source of cooling fluid and a second end configured for discharging cooling fluid in the well at at least an upper portion of a subterranean high-temperature zone such that cooling fluid circulates in the high-temperature zone.