Downhole Power Source Cell Activation via Electro-Osmotic Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole batteries in oil and gas wells face challenges due to rapid self-discharge, especially at high temperatures, which limits their lifespan and requires frequent replacement, and secondary cells have limited charge cycles and are not suitable for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A power source system comprising a plurality of cells where electrical charge generated by one cell is used to provide an operating material to another cell, converting it from a non-operational to an operational state, thereby extending the battery life and reducing self-discharge issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional primary lithium cells are used in downhole environments, then the batteries can provide long-term power, but they suffer from rapid self-discharge at high temperatures which limits their lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cells are prepared in advance in a non-operational state with all components (electrodes, electrolyte, separator) in place but without activating the electrochemical reaction. This preliminary preparation allows the cells to be ready for immediate use while avoiding the self-discharge that occurs during long-term storage in an operational state. The cell is activated only when needed through the introduction of a trigger substance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical state parameter of the battery cell from non-operational to operational by introducing a trigger substance that initiates the electrochemical reaction. This parameter change allows the battery to transition from a stable, low-self-discharge state to an active, power-providing state only when required, thereby reducing overall energy loss during the battery's service life.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If secondary cells are used to extend battery life, then charge cycles can be repeated, but the charge cycles are limited to less than two years making them unsuitable for long-term well operation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple battery cells are prepared in advance in a non-operational state and stored ready for use. When the primary cell is depleted, a pre-prepared cell can be activated and integrated into the system without requiring recharging, thereby extending the overall system lifespan beyond the limitations of secondary cell charge cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system is divided into multiple independent cells that can be activated sequentially. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended operational lifespan by switching between pre-prepared cells rather than relying on a single rechargeable cell with limited charge cycles.
3Ease of operation
If batteries are located permanently downhole to avoid replacement operations, then intervention operations are reduced, but the batteries deplete of charge during storage due to self-discharge accelerated by high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
Battery cells are prepared in a non-operational state during installation, with all components in place but the electrochemical reaction dormant. This preliminary preparation allows the batteries to be installed permanently downhole without suffering from storage self-discharge, as the reaction is activated only when needed by introducing a trigger substance, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preventing energy loss.
4Temperature
If lithium cells are exposed to high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius, then they provide power in harsh downhole environments, but a solid electrolyte interface layer forms that passivates electrodes and degrades membrane porosity
Solution Approach 1:
The battery cell is assembled in advance with electrodes, electrolyte, and separator in place, but the harmful SEI layer formation is prevented by keeping the cell in a non-operational state during storage and transport. The cell is activated only when needed, minimizing exposure to high temperatures and preventing the passivation and degradation that would otherwise occur during long-term storage in harsh conditions.
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 effectively extends the battery life by maintaining cells in a non-operational state until needed, reducing unwanted reactions and self-discharge, and allows for the creation of new batteries 'on-demand', overcoming the limitations of traditional batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a battery cell adapted to generate an electrical charge from an electrochemical reaction
Implementation Method 2
The transfer mechanism is adapted to convey the operating material from the storage vessel to the battery cell in response to the electrical charge
Data Source
AI summary
A power source system including a plurality of cells. The power source system uses electrical charge or current generated by a reaction in at least one of the cells to provide at least one operating material to at least one other of the cells. Optionally, the power source system uses the electrical charge generated by the reaction in the at least one of the cells to provide the at least one operating material to the at least one other of the cells only when the state of charge of the at least one of the cells is equal to or below a threshold or when the use of the cell is equal to or above a threshold. Optionally, in an initial or non-operational state, one or more or each of the cells is dry or without the at least one operating material and the power source system is configured to selectively switch at least one of the plurality of cells from the non-operational state to an operational state by providing the at least one operating material to the at least one cell.