Electromagnetic Drilling Fluid Cleaner for Choke Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling operations face challenges with hydraulic choke devices getting clogged by metal particles and debris, leading to irregular flow control and potential structural failure, as existing filtration systems are ineffective at high pressures and cannot separate metal particles with low specific gravities.
Innovation Solution
An auto cleaning system with pressure sensors, auto clean valves, and an electromagnetic device that diverts drilling fluid to a secondary line when pressure thresholds are met, using an auto clean pump to remove metal particles and prevent choke clogging, while an electromagnetic device collects and separates metal particles for weighing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional strainer screens are used to remove particulate matter, then large particulates can be filtered from the outflow stream, but the screen becomes plugged by excessive particulate entrapment and reduces fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic particle removal system is installed upstream of the choke to preliminarily remove metal particles from the drilling fluid before the fluid reaches the choke. Pressure sensors detect particle accumulation in advance, triggering automatic cleaning cycles that prevent plugging before it occurs, maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor the drilling fluid for metal particle accumulation and provide feedback to the control system. When particle concentration reaches a threshold, the system automatically activates the electromagnetic device and diverter valve to remove particles, creating a closed-loop control that prevents plugging while maintaining continuous flow.
2Reliability
If fixed screen devices are used for particle removal, then particulate matter can be filtered from the fluid stream, but the plugged screen structurally fails and adds to the particulate matter in the flow stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical screen filtering with an electromagnetic field-based particle removal system. The electromagnetic device attracts and collects metal particles without physical contact between the filtering mechanism and the drilling fluid, eliminating the risk of screen plugging and structural failure while maintaining particle removal effectiveness.
3Reliability
If hydrocyclones are used to separate heavier components, then rock cuttings and metallic debris can be separated from the outflowing fluid stream, but the system operates at very low system pressures and cannot separate metal particles with low specific gravities
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic particle removal system changes the operating parameters from low-pressure hydrocyclone operation to high-pressure compatibility. The electromagnetic device operates effectively at the high pressures present in drilling operations upstream of the choke, and the particle collection mechanism adapts to varying particle densities regardless of specific gravity, maintaining separation capability across different pressure conditions.
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 effectively prevents choke clogging by automatically diverting and cleaning drilling fluid at high pressures, ensuring continuous fluid flow and protecting the hydraulic choke from damage, while allowing real-time monitoring of metal particle collection and weight measurement.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic device around at least a portion of the first line, wherein the electromagnetic device is electrically energized when the drilling fluid is passing through the first line
Data Source
AI summary
An auto cleaning system for cleaning a drilling fluid in a drilling operation includes a first line, a second line, an auto clean pump operatively connected to the first line and the second line, and an electromagnetic device around at least a portion of the first line, wherein the electromagnetic device is energized when the drilling fluid is passing through the first line. The auto clean pump is configured to receive the drilling fluid from the first line or the second line and remove metal particles from the drilling fluid. The system also includes a controller configured to determine a pressure difference in a line, at least partially open a valve to divert drilling fluid intake from one line the other, and close the first entrance valve to stop the drilling fluid from entering the first line.