Drilling Fluid Parameter Measurement Using Electric Field Perturbation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring drilling fluid parameters, such as water and oil ratios and densities, are inaccurate due to temperature, density, and dielectric constant changes, leading to safety and operational challenges in drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
The Electric Field Perturbation (EFP) method uses a central instrument package with probes to measure temperature, density, and oil/water ratios by applying electrical pulses and analyzing reflections through Fast Fourier Transform, correlating the data with pre-determined complex permittivity curves to determine volume fractions and densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used to measure drilling fluid parameters, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature, density, and dielectric constant changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring multiple parameters (temperature, density, dielectric constant) simultaneously and using these changing parameters to compensate for each other's effects. The system measures temperature with a temperature sensor, density with a density sensor, and dielectric constant with a dielectric sensor, then uses these combined measurements to calculate accurate water and oil volume fractions despite individual parameter variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single measurement system that performs multiple functions: measuring temperature, density, and dielectric constant all through one integrated apparatus. This universal system can determine both water volume fraction and oil volume fraction simultaneously, as well as calculate densities of pure oil and pure water phases, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices.
2Reliability
If temperature corrections are applied to improve measurement accuracy, then the reliability improves, but the complexity of the measurement process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the measured temperature, density, and dielectric constant values to continuously adjust and refine the calculation of water and oil volume fractions. The system feeds the measured parameters back into the calculation algorithm, which automatically compensates for temperature effects and updates the volume fraction determinations in real-time, improving reliability without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing the complex permittivity curves of pure oil and pure water at various temperatures in a database. Before actual measurements, the system has these reference curves ready, allowing it to quickly compare measured values against pre-established temperature-dependent references and immediately calculate corrected volume fractions without performing complex real-time curve fitting.
3Productivity
If multiple parameters are measured simultaneously, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple measurement functions into a single integrated probe assembly. The temperature sensor, density sensor, and dielectric sensor are merged into one device that can be inserted into the drilling fluid simultaneously to collect all necessary parameters at once, eliminating the need for separate measurement operations and significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a measurement system that determines multiple critical parameters (water volume fraction, oil volume fraction, temperature, density) through a single multi-functional apparatus. This universal device replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate instruments and measurement procedures, achieving high productivity without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
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 provides near-real-time, accurate measurements of drilling fluid parameters, enhancing safety and operational control by correcting for temperature and improving the reliability of water and oil content assessments.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosed method uses electric field perturbation (EFP) to perform the measurements
Implementation Method 2
provides a source of fluid having a volume fraction of water and a volume fraction of oil, and wherein the volume fraction of water and the volume fraction of oil each have a previously determined and known complex permittivity curve
Implementation Method 3
a second probe that measures temperature and density provided by a differential pressure between two pressure transducers spaced apart by a known distance
Implementation Method 4
providing a temperature probe exposed to the fluid to determine the temperature of the fluid
Implementation Method 5
wherein resonance points of the fluid are calculated by the controller/computer from the electrical pulse reflection and transmission by applying a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm to the electrical pulse reflection and transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for measuring multiple parameters of drilling fluid using electric field perturbation, permittivity curves, time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis to identify constituents of drilling fluid and ratios of the drilling fluid constituents on a real time basis and to measure volumes and densities of the constituents on a real time basis.