Downhole Drilling Tool Fluid Cleaner Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling tools face challenges in efficiently removing debris and formation pieces from drilling fluid downhole, leading to energy consumption issues and risk of tool sticking due to improper fluid filtration methods, particularly with wireline tools which have limited power.
Innovation Solution
A drilling tool equipped with a housing, electrical conducting means, a drilling head, a pump, a driving unit, and a fluid cleaner with a chamber and filter for separating debris and formation pieces from the fluid, where the pump directs the filtrated fluid back into the well through an outlet closest to the wireline, reducing the risk of tool sticking by aligning fluid flow with the drilling direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drilling tool ejects filtrated fluid out through the drilling head with intake in the part closest to the wireline, then debris and formation pieces are forced along the side of the tool, but the tool is at risk of getting stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional fluid circulation direction by positioning the fluid intake at the drilling head (farthest from wireline) and the outlet at the part closest to the wireline. This reversal ensures that filtrated fluid flows downward along the tool side in the same direction as tool movement, preventing debris accumulation and tool sticking while maintaining effective filtration.
2Productivity
If debris and formation pieces are pumped to above the tool, then the space above the tool is filled with debris, but the return path of the tool to above surface is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the debris transport direction by pumping filtrated fluid and separated debris downward through the outlet at the wireline-close end, rather than upward. This ensures debris is transported in the same direction as tool movement, keeping the return path clear and enabling smooth tool retrieval to surface.
3Productivity
If fluid is pumped all the way up to above surface for filtration, then debris can be removed, but the process is very energy consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary filtration action downhole at the drilling location itself, rather than waiting to pump fluid all the way to surface for filtration. The filter is positioned in the fluid path within the tool, enabling immediate separation of debris from fluid during circulation, thus eliminating the need for high-energy surface pumping and reducing overall energy consumption.
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 solution effectively filters debris and formation pieces from the drilling fluid downhole, reducing energy consumption and the risk of tool sticking by ensuring fluid flow aligns with the drilling direction, thus enhancing drilling efficiency and tool safety.
Implementation Method 1
a filter within the chamber for separation of the elements from the fluid
Implementation Method 2
the pump pumps the fluid through an inlet in the tool... into the chamber inlets and through the filter... out through an outlet in the housing of the tool
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Drilling tool (1) for drilling a well downhole where fluid is surrounding the tool and where the tool has a housing (15) and is connected to an electrical conducting means, such as a wireline. The drilling tool has a drilling head (2) and a fluid cleaner (3) for removal of elements, such as debris and formation pieces, from the fluid while drilling downhole. The fluid cleaner has a chamber (4) and a filter (5) within the chamber for separation of the elements from the fluid. The tool further comprises a pump (8) for pumping the fluid into the chamber through an inlet (11) in the drilling head (2) and through the filter before entering the well again. Furthermore, the tool comprises a driving unit for driving the pump and the drilling head.