Automated Drilling Fluid Viscometer with Integrated Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring drilling fluids at drilling locations are inefficient and require frequent manual intervention, leading to suboptimal drilling conditions and potential environmental contamination due to improper fluid formulation and lack of real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An automated system comprising a viscometer with a heating cup, a pump, and a cleaning fluid tank, controlled by a system controller, which enables automated fluid monitoring and cleaning, allowing for continuous testing and maintenance of drilling fluid properties without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual fluid monitoring is performed at regular intervals, then fluid properties can be characterized, but monitoring frequency is limited and real-time optimization is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated fluid monitoring and cleaning operations without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically controls the pump to introduce fluids, the viscometer to measure properties, and the cleaning mechanism to maintain the heating cup, enabling continuous self-service operation that increases monitoring frequency while eliminating manual labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system that electronically manages fluid introduction, measurement, and cleaning processes. The controller substitutes human operators by automatically coordinating the pump, viscometer, and cleaning mechanisms, thereby increasing monitoring capacity while reducing operational complexity
2Extent of automation
If automated cleaning is implemented, then continuous monitoring capability is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: the pump introduces cleaning fluid, the heating cup contains and heats it for effective cleaning, and the system drains and recycles the fluid. This consolidation achieves automated cleaning while minimizing the number of separate components and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system recycles cleaning fluid by draining it from the heating cup and returning it to the cleaning fluid tank for reuse. This recovery approach eliminates waste, reduces the need for continuous cleaning fluid supply, and simplifies the system by reusing existing components rather than requiring additional disposal mechanisms
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 system allows for more frequent and accurate monitoring of drilling fluid properties, enabling timely adjustments to optimize drilling conditions, reducing the risk of environmental contamination and improving drilling efficiency by providing continuous updates on fluid conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in fluid communication with the heating cup, wherein the pump is configured to provide a flow of fluid from a fluid line inlet to the heating cup
Implementation Method 2
a viscometer having a heating cup
Implementation Method 3
a viscometer having a heating cup
Implementation Method 4
the pump is configured to provide a flow of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank to the heating cup
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring fluids at a drilling location, the system including a viscometer (210) having a heating cup and a pump (211) in clued communication with the heating cup, wherein the pump is configured to provide a flow of fluid from a fluid line inlet to the heating cup. The system also including a cleaning fluid tank (214) including communication with the heating cup, wherein the pump is configured to provide a flow of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank to the heating cup, and a system controller (217) configured to provide instructions to the pump for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tanks to the heating cup.