Downhole Tool Component Monitoring via Neutron Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Downhole components in drilling operations are subject to wear, fatigue, and damage due to environmental and operational conditions, necessitating effective monitoring systems to assess their health and integrity.

Innovation Solution

A neutron monitoring system is employed, where a monitored component is doped with a pre-selected neutron absorbent, and a neutron source and detector are positioned relative to the component to count neutrons, with a control unit determining the component's status based on the neutron count, enabling the tracking of component life and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional monitoring methods are used for downhole components, then the system complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability of component health assessment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent health assessment accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A neutron-absorbing dopant is introduced as an intermediary substance within the monitored component. This dopant serves as a mediator that converts the physical state of the component (wear, corrosion, temperature) into measurable neutron absorption changes, enabling precise health assessment without complex external sensing systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electrical sensing systems with a nuclear physics-based measurement approach. Instead of using complex mechanical sensors to detect wear or corrosion, the system uses neutron absorption measurements to indirectly assess component condition, simplifying the monitoring apparatus while improving measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If downhole components are monitored continuously, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the loss of energy and complexity of the monitoring system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption for monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system operates by periodically measuring neutron absorption rather than continuous monitoring. The neutron source emits neutrons at intervals, and the detector measures absorption changes at corresponding periods, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable detection of component degradation trends

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitored component itself serves the dual purpose of being both the object under monitoring and the sensing element. The dopant embedded in the component provides the measurement signal directly from the component's own condition, eliminating the need for separate power-consuming sensors and reducing overall system energy requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method allows for efficient and accurate monitoring of downhole component health, detecting corrosion and mass changes, thereby ensuring proper operation and timely replacement of components, enhancing the reliability of drilling operations.

Implementation Method 1

A neutron-absorbing dopant is introduced into a monitored component of a downhole tool... A neutron detector is positioned at a second position relative to the monitored component... The neutron detector detects an amount of neutrons from the neutron source...

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10162078B2In-well monitoring of components of downhole tools

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for downhole component monitoring including a monitored component doped with a pre-selected neutron absorbent, the monitored component being part of a downhole tool and a neutron monitoring system positioned relative to the monitored component. The neutron monitoring system includes a neutron source positioned at a first location relative to the monitored component and a neutron detector positioned at a second location relative to the monitored component, the neutron detector configured to detect neutrons from the neutron source and count said detected neutrons. A control unit is in communication with the neutron detector and configured to determine a status of the monitored component from the neutron count received from the neutron detector.