Downhole Fluid Analysis Device With Adjustable Optical Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole fluid analysis tools face limitations in optical path length selection, contamination, hardware complexity, and fixed optical path, leading to poor compositional analysis performance and robustness, especially in harsh downhole conditions.
Innovation Solution
A downhole fluid properties analysis device with adjustable optical probes having needle-shaped tips and a flexible optical path length from tens of microns to several millimeters, allowing for real-time analysis of hydrocarbon fluids, and featuring self-cleaning properties and adjustable positioning to minimize contamination and flow restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sapphire windows with large surface area are used for optical transmission measurements, then the optical path length is fixed and hardware is robust, but the device causes fluid flow restriction, contamination, and complex mechanical configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical measurement function from the conventional sapphire window assembly and implements it using optical probes with needle-shaped tips that can be positioned independently in the fluid flow. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical window assemblies while maintaining optical measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system is segmented into multiple independent optical probes rather than a single fixed window assembly. Each probe can be independently positioned and adjusted, simplifying the overall mechanical configuration while enabling flexible optical path length selection.
2Strength
If sapphire windows with large curvature ratio are used, then hardware strength is sufficient for harsh conditions, but optical path length selection is limited and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path length is made dynamically adjustable by positioning optical probes at different distances from the wall, rather than being fixed by the geometry of sapphire windows. This allows precise control of optical path length while maintaining hardware strength through simple probe structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical path length parameter by adjusting the position of optical probes relative to the wall, enabling continuous variation of the optical path from very short distances without being constrained by fixed window geometries.
3Device complexity
If fixed optical path length is used in conventional DFA cells, then hardware is simpler, but compositional analysis performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path length is made adjustable to optimize compositional analysis performance for different fluid types and measurement conditions, while maintaining relatively simple hardware through the use of positionable optical probes rather than complex adjustable mechanisms.
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 robust real-time compositional analysis of hydrocarbon fluids with improved optical path length flexibility, reduced contamination, and ease of integration, overcoming the limitations of conventional tools.
Implementation Method 1
The evaluation of fluid properties by the DFA tool 2 is based on the transmission of light 11 through the fluid sample and the measurement of the attenuation at different wavelengths. Optical absorption spectra are obtained that can be related to critical fluid characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole fluid properties analysis device connectable to a downhole sampling flow line having an internal diameter between 2 to 15 mm adapted to let flow the fluid, a hydrocarbon multiphase fluid from a hydrocarbon subsurface reservoir, to be analyzed. The analysis device includes an analysis pipe portion and a first optical probe arranged to transmit a light into the fluid and a second optical probe, connected to a spectrometer and arranged to produce a signal resulting from an interaction of the fluid with said light indicative of the downhole fluid properties. Each optical probe has an elongated body mounted through the wall of the analysis pipe portion and a needle-shaped tip with an external diameter less than 1 mm. The tips of the probes project into a flow section of the analysis pipe portion such that the first tip faces the second tip.