Dual Drill String Actuator Valve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current valve systems for concentric drill strings lack a reliable backup flow control mechanism for dual drill strings, which is essential for preventing gas-kicks and blow-outs during drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A dual drill string actuator system featuring a biasing device, such as a spring, that operates a piston to selectively close both internal and external fluid flow passages through valve seats and seals, providing a double barrier system for fluid control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single valve system is used in concentric drill strings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of flow control is insufficient for preventing gas-kicks and blow-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into two independent barrier valves (first barrier valve and second barrier valve) positioned at different locations within the concentric drill string structure. This segmentation allows each valve to independently provide flow control protection, enhancing overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a backup barrier valve that serves as a predetermined safety cushion in case the primary valve fails. This prior cushioning approach ensures that if one valve system fails, the second barrier valve is already in place to prevent gas-kicks and blow-outs, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time decision systems
2Reliability
If a backup valve system is added to concentric drill strings, then the reliability of flow control improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup barrier valve is nested within the concentric drill string structure, with the inner pipe forming part of a flow bore and the annulus between outer and inner pipes forming a second flow bore. This nesting arrangement allows the backup valve system to be integrated within the existing dual-bore structure, providing redundant flow control capability while minimizing additional space requirements and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dual barrier valve system is designed to control flow in both the inner pipe flow bore and the annular flow bore, providing universal flow control capability across multiple pathways. This multi-functionality allows a single valve system to manage multiple flow paths, reducing the need for separate dedicated valves for each bore and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
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 dual drill string actuator system effectively manages fluid flow by ensuring both internal and external passages can be closed, enhancing control over wellbore pressure and providing a reliable backup flow control mechanism, thereby preventing uncontrolled gas-kicks and blow-outs.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing device comprises a spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A dual drill string actuator (100) includes a piston (114) disposed in a housing (110), which is configured to sealingly couple at its longitudinal ends to an end of a nested dual drill string segment. An upper inner conduit (112) is mounted in the housing (110) proximate one longitudinal end thereof. A lower inner conduit (115) is mounted in the housing (110) proximate the other longitudinal end thereof. The piston (114) is slidably, sealingly engaged between the upper (112) and lower (115) inner conduits and together define an internal fluid flow passage therethrough. The upper inner conduit (112), the piston (114), and the lower inner conduit (115) also define an external flow passage between respective exterior surfaces thereof and an interior of the housing (110) such that application of fluid pressure to the external flow passage causes movement of the piston.