Drilling Fluid Conditioning Device Using High-Pressure Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for conditioning drilling fluids are inefficient, space-consuming, and not flexible for various applications, leading to issues like noise, tank wall washout, and limited mixing energy.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for conditioning drilling fluid using high-pressure nozzles that shear the fluid and combine with high-velocity streams for mixing, reducing noise and wear, and allowing for pre-mixing and scalable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If drilling fluid is circulated through the drill bit/nozzle to achieve stability, then the drilling fluid becomes stable and homogenized, but it requires significant pressure loss (50 bar or more) and time that is not practical for adding new portions of drilling fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling fluid stabilityVSAvoidtime for circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the homogenization process into distinct functional zones: a first chamber for initial mixing and a second chamber for final homogenization. This segmentation allows the drilling fluid to be processed in stages, achieving stability without requiring full circulation through the drill bit, thus reducing time loss while maintaining composition stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary homogenization action in the first chamber before the fluid enters the second chamber. This preliminary mixing prepares the drilling fluid in advance, so that when it passes through the second chamber, final homogenization is achieved quickly without needing time-consuming circulation through the drill bit assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a shear gun device is used to homogenize drilling fluid, then the drilling fluid can be sheared prior to pumping into the well, but existing solutions are space-consuming and not flexible for various applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and flexibilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a nested structure where the first chamber is positioned within or adjacent to the second chamber in a compact arrangement. The drive mechanism is integrated into the housing structure, and components are arranged concentrically or in nested configurations to minimize the overall volume of the stationary device while maintaining operational flexibility for various drilling applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If high pressure is used to shear drilling fluid, then mixing efficiency increases, but noise and wear on equipment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidnoise and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary fluid or medium between the high-pressure drilling fluid and the chamber walls. This intermediary layer absorbs some of the impact energy, reducing noise and wear on the equipment while still allowing the high-pressure fluid to achieve effective shearing and mixing in the chamber. The intermediary may be a cushioning fluid or a specially designed damping material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides higher efficiency and capacity for conditioning drilling fluids, reduces noise and wear, and is flexible for various applications, including on rigs, during transport, and in storage facilities.

Implementation Method 1

supplying drilling fluid at high pressure to opposite placed inline directed high pressure nozzles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure energy to kinetic energy conversion: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

for shearing the supplied drilling fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear force: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

combining with high-velocity streams for mixing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulent mixing: Turbulence

Implementation Method 4

high velocity streams colliding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMomentum exchange: Conservation of Momentum

Implementation Method 5

reducing noise and wear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12318741B2Method and device for conditioning drilling fluid

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 JAGTECH AS

AI summary

Method and device for conditioning of drilling fluid comprising supplying drilling fluid at high pressure to opposite placed inline directed high pressure nozzles arranged in fluid communication with a sealed spacing for shearing the supplied drilling fluid followed by additionally mixing by high velocity streams colliding, and discharging the conditioned drilling fluid through an outlet of the sealed spacing.