Automated Drilling Fluid Dilution Control Using Density Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of drilling fluids has historically been separated into chemical treatment and solids control, leading to inefficiencies as these functions are often deployed as separate entities, resulting in correlated efficiency losses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for regulating a diluent injection pump rate to achieve a target density of drilling fluid entering a sedimentation device, using a processor to receive and generate control instructions based on measured density and flow rate values, integrating chemical and mechanical processes for optimized fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chemical treatment and solids control are deployed as separate entities, then each function can be independently optimized, but overall drilling fluid management efficiency deteriorates due to correlated efficiency losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines chemical treatment and solids control into a unified automated system that simultaneously manages both functions. The system integrates a diluent injection pump for chemical treatment with a centrifugal separator for solids control, both controlled by a single processor that receives density measurements and coordinates their operations to achieve target density values, thereby eliminating the efficiency losses from separate deployment while maintaining independent optimization capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The automated drilling fluid management system performs multiple functions through a single integrated platform: it monitors density, controls diluent injection rates, operates the centrifugal separator, and coordinates both chemical treatment and solids control operations. This multi-functional approach allows the system to address both chemical and mechanical aspects of fluid management simultaneously, improving overall productivity without sacrificing the ability to optimize each function independently
2Manufacturing precision
If dilution is increased to achieve target density, then density control is improved, but the volume of dilution required increases leading to cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs continuous density measurement feedback to control the diluent injection pump. The processor receives real-time density measurements from sensors and automatically adjusts the diluent injection rate to maintain target density values, eliminating the need for excessive dilution while achieving precise density control through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the diluent injection rate parameter based on real-time density measurements and target density requirements. By continuously monitoring density and modifying the injection rate parameter accordingly, the system achieves precise density control while minimizing the total volume of dilution required, avoiding both under-dilution and over-dilution scenarios
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring and adjustment of drilling fluid density is used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated monitoring and control. The processor continuously receives density measurements, compares them to target values, and automatically adjusts the diluent injection pump and centrifugal separator operations without human intervention. This self-regulating capability maintains low operational complexity while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual monitoring and adjustment operations
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 integration enhances the efficiency of drilling fluid management by improving sedimentation rates and reducing the volume of dilution required, leading to cost savings and increased drilling performance.
Implementation Method 1
regulate a diluent injection pump rate to dilute the drilling fluid entering the sedimentation device to achieve the target density value
Implementation Method 2
receiving a target density value for a drilling fluid exiting a sedimentation device
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include receiving a target density value for a drilling fluid exiting a sedimentation device; receiving a measured density value for the drilling fluid directed to the sedimentation device, a measured density value for the drilling fluid exiting the sedimentation device, and an incoming flow rate value for the drilling fluid directed to the sedimentation device; and generating control instructions for control of an injection pump to regulate a diluent injection pump rate to dilute the drilling fluid entering the sedimentation device to achieve the target density value.