Fracking Gun with Hydrogen-Oxygen Charges and Nitrogen Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fracking systems face issues with short-lived electrodes due to heat and corrosion, costly feeder mechanisms, radial and unfocused shock waves, and potential damage to equipment and wellbores from explosive methods, leading to inefficient oil and gas recovery.
Innovation Solution
A fracking device with a cartridge containing a hollow cavity and a cylinder having a first chamber with hydrogen and stoichiometric oxygen explosive charges and a second chamber filled with nitrogen, separated by a metallic diaphragm, generates focused shock waves for controlled fracture creation in wellbores, using shaped charges and a combustion-neutral gas to absorb shock and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If explosive charges are used to generate shock waves, then fracture creation effectiveness is improved, but equipment and wellbores may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A water-filled chamber is introduced as an intermediary medium between the explosive charge and the wellbore equipment. The water absorbs and dissipates the shock waves generated by the explosive, preventing direct transmission to the equipment while still enabling effective fracture creation in the formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore is pre-filled with water before explosive charges are deployed. This water cushion is prepared in advance to absorb the impending shock waves from the explosive detonation, protecting the equipment and wellbore structure from damage before the explosive event occurs.
2Productivity
If traditional shock wave generators are used, then fracture creation is achieved, but shock waves are radial and unfocused
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive charges are positioned and oriented to create localized, directional shock waves rather than uniform radial expansion. The water-filled chamber is configured with specific geometry to focus the shock wave energy in desired directions, creating non-uniform but targeted fracture patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs asymmetric positioning of explosive charges and non-symmetric water chamber geometry to generate focused, directional shock waves. This breaks the symmetry of traditional radial shock wave generation, enabling precise control over fracture orientation and location.
3Power
If electrodes are used in fracking systems, then shock waves can be generated, but electrodes have short operational life due to heat and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable explosive charges instead of reusable electrodes. The explosive charges are consumed in a single use, eliminating the problems of heat and corrosion that limit electrode life. This trades the durability of reusable components for the simplicity and reliability of single-use elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrohydraulic shock wave generation system (using electrodes and electrical discharges) with a chemical explosive system. This substitution eliminates the electrical components subject to heat and corrosion, using purely chemical-mechanical energy conversion instead.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If feeder mechanisms are implemented to replace depleted electrodes, then continuous operation is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex feeder mechanisms to replace expensive electrodes, the system uses inexpensive disposable explosive charges. Each charge is deployed and consumed, but the low cost and simplicity of the replacement process eliminates the need for automated feeding systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic electrode-feeder subsystem entirely, replacing it with a simpler explosive charge deployment system. This eliminates the complexity and cost of feeder mechanisms while achieving continuous operation through straightforward charge replacement.
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 achieves efficient, controlled fracture creation in wellbores with high-energy, focused shock waves, enhancing oil and gas recovery without damaging equipment, and is environmentally friendly due to the hydrogen-oxygen reaction products being water vapor.
Implementation Method 1
a first chamber with hydrogen and stoichiometric oxygen explosive charges
Implementation Method 2
generates focused shock waves for controlled fracture creation
Implementation Method 3
a second chamber filled with nitrogen, separated by a metallic diaphragm... to absorb shock and prevent damage
Data Source
AI summary
A fracking device (100) for generating shock waves in a well bore (102) comprises a fracking gun (110). The fracking gun (110) includes a cartridge (200) having a hollow cavity and a cylinder (202) disposed inside the hollow cavity of the cartridge (200). The cylinder (202) has a first chamber (210) and a second chamber (212). The first chamber (210) includes a plurality of explosive charges (206) positioned on an inner surface of the cylinder (202), wherein each of the explosive charges (206) contains an explosive mixture comprising hydrogen and stoichiometric oxygen in a predetermined ratio. The second chamber (212) contains a combustion-neutral gas. The first chamber (210) is separated from the second chamber (212) by a diaphragm (214).