Downhole Mass Spectrometer Operating at Elevated Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole analysis of wellbore fluids and gases is complicated by small wellbore diameters and stringent operating conditions, including vibrations, elevated temperatures, and high pressures, which constrain the design and functionality of existing measurement tools.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore tool equipped with a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, capable of operating at pressures greater than 10−2 Torr, incorporating a rotary valve for fluid injection and featuring an ion trap or quadrupole mass analyzer, allowing for robust operation and accurate analysis of formation fluid compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mass spectrometer is used for downhole analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to vacuum requirements and sensitive component constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter of the mass spectrometer from traditional high vacuum (10^-6 to 10^-3 Torr) to elevated pressure (greater than 10^-2 Torr). This parameter change eliminates the need for complex vacuum systems while maintaining measurement precision through the use of quadrupole or ion trap mass analyzers that can operate effectively at these elevated pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vacuum pump system from the downhole tool assembly. By operating the mass spectrometer at elevated pressures, the complex vacuum maintenance infrastructure is removed, simplifying the device for downhole deployment while retaining analytical capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the wellbore tool is designed for small diameter wellbores, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to space constraints on analytical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure operating parameter to eliminate vacuum requirements, which significantly reduces the space needed for vacuum pumps and associated infrastructure. This allows the analytical tool to be compact enough for deployment in small diameter wellbores while maintaining mass spectrometry capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer into an integrated analytical system with shared components. The gas chromatograph separates the sample components, and the mass spectrometer analyzes them, with both systems optimized to operate at elevated pressures. This integration reduces the overall size and complexity of the tool assembly.
3Device complexity
If the mass spectrometer operates at elevated pressure, then device complexity is reduced by eliminating vacuum systems, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to increased molecular collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and changes the critical parameter of operating pressure from high vacuum to elevated pressure (greater than 10^-2 Torr). This parameter change is made possible by using quadrupole or ion trap mass analyzers that are inherently more tolerant of elevated pressures, thus maintaining measurement precision while eliminating vacuum requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different design optimizations to different parts of the mass spectrometer system. The ion source and mass analyzer regions are designed to handle elevated pressures, while the detector region maintains appropriate conditions for accurate measurement. This localized optimization allows the system to operate at elevated pressures without sacrificing measurement precision.
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 precise determination of molecular weights and compositions of wellbore samples, enhancing measurement sensitivity and safety by operating effectively in harsh downhole environments, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of fluid analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a gas chromatograph, a rotary valve configured to inject a fluid sample into the gas chromatograph
Implementation Method 2
The mass spectrometer includes at least one of (a) an ion trap analyzer and (b) a quadrupole mass analyzer
Implementation Method 3
a quadrupole mass analyzer
Data Source
AI summary
Methods may include emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10−2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample from the measured response of the wellbore tool. Methods may also include establishing a library of one or more chemical components, emplacing a wellbore tool in a wellbore, the wellbore tool including a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer, wherein the mass spectrometer is configured to operate at a pressure greater than 10−2 Torr, measuring a sample from the wellbore using the wellbore tool, comparing the measured response from the wellbore tool for the sample with results from the library of one or more chemical components, and determining a molecular weight of one or more components of the sample.