Converging-Diverging Nozzle for Drilling Mud Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixing technologies for drilling mud, such as rotating shear units and jet mixers, do not adequately disperse particles within the liquid, leading to suboptimal homogenization and rheology in drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid mixture nozzle with a converging section to increase velocity, an orifice for shear generation, and a diverging section to create turbulence, enhancing particle dispersion through a combination of shear and vortex flow patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional mixing technologies (rotating shear units, jet mixers) are used, then mixing is achieved through shear zones, but particle dispersion and homogenization are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is segmented into distinct functional zones: a converging section that accelerates fluid and creates a jet, an orifice that generates intense shear, and a diverging section that creates turbulence. This segmentation allows each zone to perform a specific function that collectively achieves superior particle dispersion compared to conventional single-zone mixers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes flow parameters dynamically through the nozzle structure. The converging section increases fluid velocity, the orifice creates high shear stress, and the diverging section generates turbulence. These parameter changes (velocity, shear stress, turbulence intensity) are optimized to maximize particle dispersion while maintaining mixing efficiency
2Reliability
If additional additives are used to improve rheology, then drilling performance may be enhanced, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical additives with a mechanical mixing system. The nozzle apparatus uses mechanical energy (fluid flow through converging-diverging sections) to achieve particle dispersion and rheology improvement that would otherwise require chemical additives. This substitution maintains drilling performance while reducing dependency on additional substances
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 nozzle design significantly improves particle dispersion and rheology of drilling mud, ensuring more uniform mixing and reducing the need for additional additives, thereby enhancing drilling efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a converging flow section to increase the velocity of the drilling mud
Implementation Method 2
an orifice for shear generation
Implementation Method 3
a diverging section to create turbulence, enhancing particle dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a liquid mixture nozzle for flowing a liquid mixture therethrough includes a body having a flow inlet and a flow outlet. The flow inlet is configured to couple to a first piece of piping and the flow outlet is configured to couple to a second piece of piping. The liquid mixture nozzle also includes a converging section having a decreasing diameter positioned adjacent the flow inlet, an orifice positioned at a narrow end of the converging section, an intermediate section having a constant diameter positioned adjacent the orifice, a diverging section having an increasing diameter positioned adjacent the intermediate section and the flow outlet.