Asymmetric Fluid Diode for Homogeneous Wellbore Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore servicing tools experience undesirable and non-homogeneous fluid flow due to variations in hydrocarbon formation conditions and operational issues, such as unintentional restriction by particulate matter, leading to inefficient fluid transfer through multiple flow paths.
Innovation Solution
A fluid diode is positioned in a fluid passageway with opposing high resistance and low resistance entries, featuring a concave, annular surface for the high resistance entry and a conical surface for the low resistance entry, creating a significant pressure drop when fluid flows in the restricted direction while allowing easy flow in the preferred direction, effectively controlling fluid flow in subterranean well operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple fluid flow paths are provided in wellbore servicing tools, then fluid transfer capability is improved, but flow homogeneity and reliability deteriorate due to unintentional restrictions by particulate matter and formation condition variations
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid diode employs asymmetric geometry with a conical surface on one side and a concave annular surface on the other side of the orifice. This asymmetric design creates direction-dependent flow resistance, allowing fluid to flow easily in one direction while being restricted in the opposite direction, thereby ensuring reliable and homogeneous fluid transfer despite particulate matter or formation condition variations
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fluid diode are given different geometric properties: one entry has a conical surface that facilitates easy flow, while the other entry has a concave annular surface that creates high resistance. This local differentiation of geometric quality enables the single component to provide both high and low resistance pathways, ensuring reliable fluid transfer under varying conditions
2Ease of operation
If a fluid diode with complex geometry (concave annular surface extending longitudinally) is used to create high resistance in one direction, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid diode merges multiple geometric features (conical surface, concave annular surface, and orifice) into a single integrated component. This consolidation achieves precise flow control in both directions without requiring multiple separate parts, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing device 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 fluid diode ensures relatively high resistance to fluid flow in one direction and low resistance in the opposite direction, effectively managing fluid flow in wellbore operations by creating eddies and varying pressure drops, thereby enhancing the control and efficiency of fluid transfer during production and injection operations.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid will flow in eddies adjacent the concave, annular surface
Implementation Method 2
creating a significant pressure drop when fluid flows in the restricted direction
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for autonomously controlling fluid flow in a subterranean well are presented, and in particular for providing a fluid diode to create a relatively high resistance to fluid flow in one direction and a relatively low resistance to fluid flowing in the opposite direction. The diode is positioned in a fluid passageway and has opposing high resistance and low resistance entries. In one embodiment, the high resistance entry has a concave, annular surface surrounding an orifice and the low resistance entry has a substantially conical surface. The concave, annular surface of the high resistance entry preferably extends longitudinally beyond the plane of the orifice. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid will flow in eddies adjacent the concave, annular surface.