Downhole Tool Reactive Metal Degradation High Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools used in well drilling face challenges in maintaining a high degradation rate in high-temperature environments, which affects their efficiency and removal process.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool comprising a reactive metal and a degradable resin composition with a molar ratio of the maximum acid production to the reactive metal content set at 1.0 or higher, where the degradable resin produces an acid by degradation, promoting the reactive metal's degradation and maintaining the tool's strength and degradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a reactive metal and degradable resin composition are used to enable quick removal of the downhole tool, then the tool can be removed after well treatment, but the degradation rate decreases in high-temperature environments of 100°C or higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the degradable resin, specifically using polyglycolic acid or polylactic acid with controlled molecular weights and compositions. By adjusting these chemical parameters, the resin maintains its degradability at high temperatures (100°C or higher) while still providing the necessary structural support during well treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining reactive metal components with specific degradable resin compositions. This composite structure allows the tool to maintain strength during operation while ensuring predictable degradation at high temperatures through the controlled interaction between the metal and resin components.
2Productivity
If the degradable resin composition promotes degradation of the reactive metal, then the tool can be removed quickly, but the initial degradation rate needs to be increased while maintaining high degradation rate in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including the molecular weight of the degradable resin, the ratio of resin to metal components, and the chemical composition of the resin. These parameter adjustments ensure both a high initial degradation rate and consistent degradation performance across varying temperature conditions, achieving reliable and predictable tool removal.
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 solution enables a high initial degradation rate and maintains it even in high-temperature environments, allowing for efficient removal of the downhole tool within a short period, typically from hours to 30 days, reducing operational expenses and time in well drilling processes.
Implementation Method 1
a degradable resin composition promoting degradation of the reactive metal, the degradable resin composition containing a degradable resin producing an acid by degradation
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a downhole tool that can maintain a high degradation rate even in high-temperature environments and a method for well drilling using the downhole tool. A downhole tool including: a component containing a reactive metal; and a component containing a degradable resin composition promoting degradation of the reactive metal, the degradable resin composition containing a degradable resin producing an acid by degradation, wherein a molar ratio of a maximum amount of the acid which the degradable resin composition is capable of producing to a content of the reactive metal is 1.0 or higher.