Drilling Fluid Conditioning with Tree-Structure Outlet Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling fluids with improper rheology can be less effective at carrying materials to the surface and lubricating the wellbore during oil or gas well construction, necessitating effective conditioning to achieve target rheological properties.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for conditioning drilling fluid using a tank with outlet conduits arranged in a tree structure, featuring controllable pumps and nozzles to shear the fluid, combined with a control system that monitors rheology using a viscometer and electrical stability tester to adjust pumping operations until target properties are achieved, creating a stable emulsion of oil and water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drilling fluid is conditioned using traditional agitators or mud guns, then the fluid can be mixed, but the rheology control is imprecise and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors drilling fluid rheology using a viscometer and automatically adjusts pump operation based on real-time feedback. The control system compares measured rheology against target values and modulates pump speed accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention and achieving precise rheology control while reducing conditioning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (pump speed, flow rate) based on real-time rheology measurements. By continuously adjusting these parameters according to feedback from the viscometer, the system achieves precise control over drilling fluid rheology properties, resolving the contradiction between precision and time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If drilling fluid is pumped at high velocity through nozzles to achieve proper rheology, then mixing is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system monitors rheology and emulsion stability in real-time, adjusting pump speed to the minimum necessary level to achieve target properties. This prevents excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate mixing and emulsion stability through precise,需求-driven operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed-speed pumping to dynamic, variable-speed operation. The pump speed continuously adapts based on real-time rheology and emulsion stability measurements, ensuring energy is used only when and to the extent needed, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining emulsion stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple nozzles are used to shear the drilling fluid effectively, then rheology improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet conduit system is segmented into multiple nozzles arranged in a tree structure with trunks and branches. This segmentation allows the fluid to be sheared at multiple locations and angles simultaneously, effectively improving rheology control while distributing the complexity across modular, replaceable nozzle components rather than a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different nozzles within the tree structure can have different characteristics (sizes, angles, positions) optimized for local shear requirements. This local quality variation enhances overall rheology control effectiveness while keeping each individual nozzle simple and standardized, balancing performance with manufacturability.
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 system ensures the drilling fluid reaches and maintains target rheology, enhancing its ability to transport materials and lubricate the wellbore, with the emulsion maintaining water droplets of micron size for stability.
Implementation Method 1
The rheology of the drilling fluid can affect its performance... Fluid characteristics that are based on the drilling fluid's rheology include viscosity and shear stress
Implementation Method 2
The one or more pumps may be controllable to force the drilling fluid into the tank to create an emulsion containing the oil and the water
Data Source
AI summary
An example system for conditioning drilling fluid includes a tank to hold drilling fluid and outlet conduits located at least partly within the tank. The outlet conduits have a tree structure that includes a trunk and branches. Each of the branches has one or more nozzles for outputting drilling fluid within the tank. The system also includes one or more inlet conduits for receiving drilling fluid from the tank and one or more pumps that are controllable to suction the drilling fluid from the tank through the one or more inlet conduits and to force the drilling fluid into the tank through the outlet conduits.