Fluid Flow Activated Rotational Cleaning Tool for Well Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for cleaning the internal diameter of well casing often damage critical surface finishes due to mechanical rotation and tripping of tools, which is not stable and can result in damage to the well casing.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow activated rotational cleaning tool with a stationary inner collar and a free-floating, rotatable outer collar that rotates in response to fluid flow, allowing for 360° cleaning without significant rotation of the running tool, and an adjustable sleeve for selective activation and deactivation using mechanical or electromechanical forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical rotation of the running tool and cleaning tool is used to clean the well casing, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the surface finish of the casing is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is divided into two separate collars: an inner collar that remains stationary and an outer collar that rotates. This segmentation allows the cleaning function to be separated from the running tool, enabling the inner collar to stay fixed while the outer collar performs the cleaning action through fluid-induced rotation, thus preventing damage to the casing surface finish while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the running tool and inner collar to achieve cleaning, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the inner collar stationary and allowing the outer collar to rotate freely in response to fluid flow. This inversion eliminates the mechanical rotation of the running tool that causes surface damage while still achieving the desired cleaning effect
2Ease of operation
If the running tool and cleaning tool are tripped in and out of the well to activate and deactivate cleaning, then the cleaning can be controlled, but the risk of damage to the casing and tool increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is designed to be self-activating through a sleeve mechanism that responds automatically to changes in fluid flow conditions. When fluid flow increases, the sleeve opens to allow cleaning; when fluid flow decreases, the sleeve closes to deactivate cleaning. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual tripping operations, providing cleaning control while eliminating the damage risk associated with repeated tripping
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical tripping operation is replaced by an automated sleeve mechanism that uses fluid flow dynamics to control cleaning activation. The sleeve responds to fluid pressure and flow conditions, automatically opening or closing to enable or disable the cleaning function, thereby eliminating the need for dangerous tripping operations while maintaining operational control
3Area of stationary object
If significant rotation of the running tool is performed to achieve 360° cleaning, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the stability of the operation decreases and surface damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into a stationary inner collar and a rotating outer collar. The outer collar is free to rotate 360° in response to fluid flow, providing complete cleaning coverage, while the inner collar and running tool remain stationary, ensuring operational stability and preventing surface damage. This segmentation allows both objectives to be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The outer collar acts as an intermediary between the fluid flow and the cleaning action. It translates the linear fluid flow into rotational motion, providing 360° cleaning coverage without requiring the running tool to rotate. This intermediary mechanism decouples the cleaning coverage function from the running tool stability, allowing both to be optimized
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 effectively cleans the well casing without damaging the surface finishes, as it does not require significant rotation of the running tool, and activation/deactivation can be done without tripping in and out of the well, reducing the risk of damage to the casing and the tool.
Implementation Method 1
In response to the force of the flow of fluid through the ports, the outer collar is free to rotate
Implementation Method 2
the outer collar rotates about the inner collar in response to fluid flow through the tool string
Data Source
AI summary
A system to clean well casing in a downhole well operation. The system comprises an inner collar having flow ports and an out collar having jet ports in fluid communication with the flow ports. The inner collar couples with a section of a tool string and the outer collar rotates about the inner collar in response to fluid flow through the tool string. The inner collar can include a sleeve. The sleeve can be moved from a first position to a second position causing the jet ports to be in fluid communication with the flow ports. The inner collar remains relatively stationary with respect to the rotation of the outer collar. In addition, the jet ports are angled in a way that a portion of force generated by the fluid flow through the jet ports induce rotation of the outer collar in the opposite direction of the fluid flow.