Fishing Tool Halbach Magnet Cyclone Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole fishing equipment struggles to efficiently remove magnetic debris and particles from oil and gas wells due to reduced magnetic holding capacity caused by clay or mud interference and accumulation of magnetic particles on the tool's surface, which can lead to equipment failure and costly well re-drilling.
Innovation Solution
A petroleum well drill- or coiled tubing string mounted fishing tool equipped with a Halbach magnet and curl flow forming nozzles, featuring a displaceable flow control sleeve and non-magnetic housing, which concentrates magnetic flux for enhanced holding capacity and prevents magnetic debris accumulation, ensuring effective debris removal and wellbore cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional magnet is used in a drill string fishing tool, then the tool can remove magnetic debris, but the magnetic holding capacity is significantly reduced when clay or mud covers the steel object
Solution Approach 1:
The curl flow forming nozzles create a cyclonic flow that pre-cleans the wellbore and removes clay or mud from the steel object before it reaches the magnet. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that when the object contacts the magnet, full areal contact is achieved, maximizing magnetic holding capacity and preventing reduction due to clay or mud coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful clay or mud layer from the steel object surface using the cyclonic flow generated by the nozzles. By separating and removing this interfering substance before magnetic contact, the system ensures optimal magnetic holding capacity is achieved
2Device complexity
If a conventional magnet is used without protective features, then the tool structure is simpler, but magnetic particles accumulate on the tool surface restricting flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful accumulation of magnetic particles into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The cyclonic flow generated by the nozzles creates a powerful upward current that continuously flushes magnetic particles away from the magnet surface, preventing accumulation and maintaining optimal performance without adding complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic flow through the curl flow forming nozzles to create a cyclonic effect that generates strong upward fluid motion. This hydraulic action continuously cleans the magnet surface by flushing away accumulated magnetic particles, preventing flow restriction while maintaining a relatively simple tool structure
3Device complexity
If the magnet is positioned at the lower end without flow control, then the tool design is simpler, but clay or mud covers the steel object reducing magnetic holding force
Solution Approach 1:
The curl flow forming nozzles positioned above the magnet create a preliminary cleaning action that removes clay or mud from the steel object before it reaches the magnet. This pre-cleaning ensures that when the object contacts the magnet at the lower end, full areal contact is achieved, maximizing magnetic holding force without requiring additional flow control 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
The tool achieves a higher magnetic holding capacity of up to 1400kg with full contact, effectively magnetizes and lifts long metallic objects, and creates a cyclone effect for efficient debris extraction, preventing magnetic debris from attaching to the tool's surface and ensuring uninterrupted well operations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet (3) having at least one magnet surface (3f) facing downwards in said well at a lower end of said lower housing (2a) and arranged for catching and holding undesired magnetic objects
Implementation Method 2
said magnet (3) comprising permanent magnets (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) arranged in a magnetization pattern which concentrates their combined magnetic flux through said downwards facing surface (3f)
Implementation Method 3
said nozzles (6) leading out into one or more helical grooves (7a) between helical ridges (7b)... creates a cyclone effect for efficient debris extraction
Implementation Method 4
said central channel (4) provided with a vertically displaceable cylindrical flow control sleeve (8)... redirecting said flow through apertures (84, 84a, 84b, 84c) in the wall of said sleeve (8) to said nozzles (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention is a petroleum well drill- or coiled tubing string (1, lb) mounted fishing tool, comprising a main body (2) comprising a lower housing (2a) with a magnet (3) having at least one magnet surface (3f) facing downwards in said well at a lower end of said lower housing (2a) and arranged for catching and holding undesired magnetic objects present in said well, said main body (2) provided with a connector to said drill- or coiled tubing string (1, lb) at its upper end. The tool further comprises a generally cylindrical upper housing (2b) with a central channel (4) with laterally directed curl flow forming nozzles (6) through the cylindrical wall of said upper housing (2b), said nozzles (6) leading out into one or more helical grooves (7a) between helical ridges (7b), said magnet (3) comprising permanent magnets (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) arranged in a magnetization pattern which concentrates their combined magnetic flux through said downwards facing surface (3f), said upper housing's (2b) vertical channel (4) extending near its lower end to peripherally directed channels (5a) extending to an outer wall of said lower housing (2a) about said magnets (3, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) and leading to axially directed peripheral nose ports (5b) at a peripheral lower end of said lower housing (2a) and arranged for flushing fluid ahead of said magnet (3, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35), said central channel (4) provided with a vertically displaceable cylindrical flow control sleeve (8) which is provided with a closing seat (81) near its lower end so as for receiving a ball (82) for shutting off the flow to said nose ports (5b) and redirecting said flow through apertures (84, 84a, 84b, 84c) in the wall of said sleeve (8) to said curl flow forming nozzles (6).