Fluid Injection System Polymer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical injection systems often cause degradation of long-chain polymers due to shear and acceleration forces during injection into wells, reducing their effectiveness in enhancing well output and flow of production fluids.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection system that separates the injection of water and polymer, allowing the polymer to flow in a non-inverted state through dedicated polymer connections and valves, mixing only within the well's main bore, thereby minimizing exposure to degrading forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If polymer and water are mixed prior to injection through chemical injection systems, then injection can proceed through standard systems, but polymer degradation occurs due to shear and acceleration forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates polymer injection and water injection into distinct pathways with dedicated injection assemblies. The polymer injection assembly includes a dedicated polymer connection and valve that allow polymer to be injected separately from water, avoiding premature mixing and exposure to degrading shear forces in standard chemical injection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated polymer connection acts as an intermediary component between the polymer source and the wellbore. This specialized connection and associated valve system provides a low-shear pathway for polymer injection, protecting the polymer from degradation while maintaining injection capability.
2Device complexity
If polymer is injected through standard chemical injection systems, then injection infrastructure can be used, but polymer chains degrade reducing viscosity and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is segmented into separate polymer and water injection assemblies. The polymer injection assembly features a dedicated polymer connection and valve specifically designed to minimize shear forces on polymer chains, while the water injection assembly handles water separately. This segmentation protects polymer integrity while utilizing existing injection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters (reducing shear rate and acceleration forces) by providing a dedicated polymer injection pathway with appropriately sized conduits and low-shear valve design. This parameter change protects polymer chain integrity while maintaining effective injection into the wellbore.
3Productivity
If polymer mixes with water before reaching the wellbore, then injection can occur through standard pathways, but polymer viscosity decreases due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains separate polymer and water flow pathways until the polymer reaches the wellbore. The dedicated polymer injection assembly with its specialized connection and valve allows polymer to be injected with minimal shear exposure, preserving viscosity and effectiveness before mixing with water in the wellbore environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injection system includes a water injection assembly having a choke valve configured to receive water from a water injection line and to provide the water to a main bore of a well head. The system also includes a polymer injection assembly having a dedicated polymer connection configured to receive a polymer from a polymer injection line and to direct the polymer toward the main bore of the well head to facilitate mixing of the water and the polymer within the main bore.