Downhole Sensor Impurity Removal via Transient High Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole sensors in drilling operations face inaccuracies due to impurities in formation fluids, such as drilling fluids, cuttings, and subterranean reservoir fluids, which are not effectively removed by existing flow rates, leading to contaminated measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a transient high flow rate of formation fluid, managed by a flow valve in the downhole tool's flow line, to clean impurities from the sensors, ensuring accurate measurements by isolating and compressing low-pressure fluids to create a high flow rate across the sensors' surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a pump operates to lower the pressure in the probe to draw formation fluids through, then formation fluids are retrieved for testing and sampling, but impurities such as drilling fluids, cuttings, and mud are not effectively removed, leading to contaminated sensor measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a cleaning operation before the sensor takes measurements. A flow valve is opened to create a transient high flow rate that flushes impurities from the sensor surface, ensuring the sensor is clean before actual formation fluid analysis begins. This preliminary cleaning action prevents contamination from affecting measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by cyclically opening and closing the flow valve to create repeated transient high flow rates. This periodic flushing action continuously removes impurities from the sensor surface throughout the testing and sampling process, maintaining measurement accuracy over time despite the continuous presence of impure formation fluids.
2Measurement precision
If the flow rate through the sensor is increased to remove impurities, then sensor cleanliness improves, but the system requires additional control mechanisms and energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the formation fluid itself as the cleaning medium. The same formation fluid that contains impurities is utilized to flush and clean the sensor surface through transient high flow rates. This eliminates the need for separate cleaning systems or additional cleaning fluids, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by temporarily altering the flow rate parameter from normal operational levels to transient high levels for cleaning purposes. The flow valve controls this parameter change, creating brief periods of high flow velocity that dislodge impurities from the sensor surface, then returning to normal flow rates for measurement, thus managing complexity through controlled parameter variation.
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 approach effectively removes impurities from the sensors, enhancing measurement accuracy by creating a transient high flow rate that cleans the sensing surfaces, allowing for more precise analysis of formation fluid properties.
Implementation Method 1
A transient high flow rate of a formation fluid is created to remove impurities at the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods to remove impurities at a sensor in a downhole tool are disclosed. During the testing and/or sampling of formation fluid in a borehole, the downhole tool creates a transient high rate of fluid flow of the formation fluid to remove impurities at the sensor.