Fluid Separating Device with Dynamic Mandrel for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid separating devices for oil and natural gas wells face challenges in descending to the bottom of the well due to friction between separators and the wellhole's inner wall, leading to reduced productivity and potential well shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A fluid separating device with a mandrel that reciprocates between expanded and contracted positions, using an elastic energy storage device to eliminate friction by forming an annular gap with the wellhole, allowing fluid to pass through and enabling quick descent, while ascending under pressure-driven thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separators are always in contact with the inner wall of the wellhole under the action of elastic pieces to form a seal, then sealing performance is improved, but the fluid separating device cannot descend to the bottom of the well or descends slowly due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The separator's position is made dynamic rather than static. During descent, the separator moves away from the wellhole inner wall to reduce friction and increase descending speed. During fluid separation operation, the separator moves to contact the inner wall to form a seal. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between sealing performance and descending speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial position parameter of the separator is changed based on operational requirements. By adjusting the separator's radial distance from the wellhole center (contacting vs. non-contacting position), the system optimizes between two opposing requirements: sealing effectiveness requires contact while rapid descent requires non-contact.
2Reliability
If separators are always in contact with the inner wall of the wellhole, then fluid separation function is maintained, but friction increases and extends operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the separator's contact state with the wellhole wall based on operational phase. During descent, the separator is positioned away from the wall to minimize friction and reduce operation time. During fluid separation, the separator contacts the wall to maintain the sealing function. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between maintaining fluid separation function and minimizing operation time.
3Reliability
If the fluid separating device descends slowly due to friction, then productivity is reduced, but continuous contact ensures sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The separator's radial position is dynamically controlled to optimize both sealing and productivity. During the descent phase, the separator moves away from the wellhole inner wall to eliminate friction and enable rapid positioning, thereby improving productivity. During the fluid separation phase, the separator moves to contact the inner wall to ensure reliable sealing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between sealing reliability and productivity.
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 device efficiently descends to the well bottom without friction, improving productivity and service life, and ascends quickly under pressure, reducing impact forces and enhancing reliability by storing kinetic energy for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic energy storage device that can slidably penetrate the cylinder along the radial direction of the cylinder, and has one end connected to the mandrel and the other end connected to the separator, the elastic energy storage device is configured to apply a third elastic force to the mandrel in the direction from the contracted position to the expanded position
Implementation Method 2
a first elastic piece, disposed between the separators and the cylinder, and applying a first elastic force to the separator outward along the radial direction of the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
the pressure generated by the oil or natural gas below the separating device drives the fluid separating device upward
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid separating device includes a cylinder; a plurality of separators disposed around the cylinder; a first elastic piece disposed between one of the separators and the cylinder and applying an elastic force to the separator outward in a radial direction of the cylinder; a mandrel passing through the cylinder axially and configured to reciprocate between an expanded position and a contracted position in an axial direction of the cylinder; an elastic energy storage device slidably passing through the cylinder along the radial direction of the cylinder, the elastic energy storage device having one end connected to the mandrel and another end connected to the separator, the elastic energy storage device being configured to apply another elastic force to the mandrel in a direction from the contracted position to the expanded position; a first locking structure disposed on the cylinder; and a second locking structure disposed on the mandrel.