Downhole Gas Discharge Tool for Low-Turbulence Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separators struggle with inefficient separation of gas from liquids in subterranean wells, as pumps malfunction when gas is introduced, and existing designs cause turbulence that slows downhole gas flow.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation system with a gas discharge tool that features upward-facing slotted ports and a reduced-diameter upper tube, allowing gas to rise unrestricted and liquids to descend, enhancing flow dynamics and separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gas is introduced into the pump system, then gas production increases, but pump efficiency deteriorates and malfunction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts gas from the liquid stream before it reaches the pump by introducing a gas dispersant that breaks up gas-liquid emulsion, allowing gas to be separated and removed through gas vents, thereby protecting the pump from gas-induced malfunction while maintaining gas production capability
Solution Approach 2:
A gas dispersant acts as an intermediary substance that modifies the gas-liquid interface properties, breaking the emulsion and enabling efficient gas-liquid separation. This mediator allows gas to be liberated from liquids without causing pump damage
2Quantity of substance
If conventional gas separator design is used, then gas separation occurs, but turbulence is created that slows downhole gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical separation mechanisms that create turbulence with a chemical approach using gas dispersants. The dispersant breaks gas-liquid emulsion at the molecular level, allowing gas to separate naturally through buoyancy without creating turbulent flow conditions that would slow gas movement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the gas-liquid mixture by introducing a gas dispersant that alters surface tension and interfacial properties. This parameter change enables gas bubbles to coalesce and rise more efficiently without creating the turbulence associated with mechanical separation devices
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 system achieves improved gas-liquid separation by allowing gas to flow unimpeded to the surface and liquids to be efficiently collected, increasing the volume for gas flow and reducing turbulence, thereby optimizing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The gas, being lighter than fluid and air, rises naturally up the well casing and is produced to the surface
Implementation Method 2
produces a vortex in the fluid flow, thereby causing any sand or debris in the fluids to separate from the fluids due to centripetal force
Data Source
AI summary
A gas separation system can include a gas separator tool, and a gas discharge tool including an inner flow passage formed through a tube and configured to convey separated liquids, and discharge ports configured to discharge well fluids upwardly into an area surrounding the tube. A method of separating gas from liquids of well fluids produced from a subterranean well can include connecting a gas separator tool and a gas discharge tool to a production tubing string, positioning the gas separator tool and the gas discharge tool in the well, so that the well fluids are produced into the gas separator tool, receiving the well fluids from the gas separator tool into the gas discharge tool, and discharging the well fluids from the gas discharge tool into a radially enlarged section of an annulus surrounding the gas discharge tool.