Drilling Fluid Composition Measurement with Automated Solid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing drilling fluids, such as retorts, require manual steps and are inefficient due to the formation of strong solid deposits during high-heat vaporization, making it difficult to determine the composition of drilling fluids effectively.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that involves vaporizing the drilling fluid in a heated vessel, separating solids, and using a gas analytical device like GC-MS to determine the components, with a rotary milling cutter to automate the removal of solid deposits, allowing for continuous or batch processing and reducing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a retort is used to vaporize drilling fluid for composition analysis, then the components can be separated and measured, but strong solid blocks and films form within the vessel that are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a milling cutter that automatically removes solid deposits from the retort vessel before cleaning is needed. This preliminary action prevents the accumulation of difficult-to-remove solid blocks and films, making subsequent cleaning much easier and more efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs an automated milling cutter that operates within the retort vessel to self-remove solid deposits during or after the vaporization process. This self-service mechanism reduces manual intervention and maintains the vessel in a cleaner state without requiring external cleaning operations.
2Measurement precision
If manual steps are used to monitor drilling fluid composition with a retort, then the process can be completed, but the process requires many manual steps and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated milling cutter system that can be controlled remotely or automatically. This substitution eliminates the need for manual disassembly, cleaning, and maintenance steps, significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The milling cutter is designed to operate continuously or periodically within the retort vessel, maintaining a clean state ready for the next analysis cycle. This continuous action eliminates downtime between measurements and improves overall productivity without compromising the accuracy of composition monitoring.
3Quantity of substance
If high heat is applied to vaporize fluid in a retort, then components can be separated, but solids form strong blocks within the vessel that are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of strong solid block formation into a beneficial process by introducing a milling cutter that actively breaks down and removes these blocks. The high heat that creates strong solids also makes them suitable for controlled mechanical removal, transforming a cleaning problem into a manageable mechanical operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system facilitates the discarding of solid deposits through automated milling and removal mechanisms. By actively removing solids during or after the vaporization process, the system prevents accumulation and maintains the vessel in a reusable state, improving operational efficiency.
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 solution enables efficient, automated determination of the composition of drilling fluids, including oil, water, and solids, by vaporizing the fluid, analyzing the gas, and removing solid deposits, improving the accuracy and efficiency of fluid monitoring in drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
A retort is a vessel in which a fluid is added and heated to beyond its boiling point to a gas
Implementation Method 2
The gas is then provided to a gas analytical device to determine the components and relative amounts of the composition, wherein the analytical device may include a chromatograph, spectrometer, and/or spectroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring the oil and water fractions of a fluid, such as a drilling fluid. The apparatus includes a vessel body having an inner chamber coupled with a fluid inlet and an outlet. A heating element is coupled with the vessel body operable to communicate heat sufficient to vaporize a fluid within the vessel body to a gas. A gas analytical device is coupled with the outlet operable to measure components of the gas exiting the vessel body via the outlet. A rotary milling cutter translatable through the inner chamber and into solids remaining from the vaporized fluid, and having cutters operable to break solids within the inner chamber remaining from the vaporized fluid. The solids may be ejected through a solids discharge port.