Gas Extraction Calibration via Injection Correction Factors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas extraction systems in mud logging face challenges in accurately translating measured gas concentrations to actual concentrations due to varying solubility of different hydrocarbons in mud, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in gas extraction calibration.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to calibrate the gas extraction system by injecting known concentrations of hydrocarbons into the mud, obtaining readings, and determining correction factors to refine the extraction efficiency, which involves stabilizing background readings, injecting known concentrations, and adjusting operational readings using these factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gas extraction systems are used without calibration, then the system structure remains simple, but the measurement precision of gas concentrations deteriorates due to varying solubility of different hydrocarbons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration operations before actual gas extraction measurements. A calibration fluid with known gas concentrations is processed through the extraction system to establish correction factors that account for varying hydrocarbon solubility. This pre-calibration step ensures subsequent measurements are accurate without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during actual drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a calibration fluid as an intermediary substance to transfer known concentration information through the extraction system. This intermediary allows the system to characterize its own extraction efficiency for different hydrocarbons without directly measuring unknown concentrations from drilling mud. The calibration fluid acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between known standards and unknown samples.
2Productivity
If multiple extraction stages are used to improve gas extraction efficiency, then the extraction completeness improves, but the device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a multi-stage extraction process where calibration fluid passes through sequential extraction stages. Each stage operates in a defined sequence, with the calibration fluid being progressively processed through multiple extraction units. This periodic, staged approach ensures complete gas extraction while maintaining organized system operation and allowing for systematic correction factor determination.
3Measurement precision
If correction factors are determined through calibration operations, then the quantification accuracy improves, but the time required for calibration and the complexity of calibration procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is performed as a preliminary operation before actual drilling mud analysis. By establishing correction factors in advance using calibration fluid with known concentrations, the system avoids time-consuming iterative adjustments during field operations. The correction factors are determined once and then applied to subsequent measurements, reducing overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by processing a calibration fluid through the same extraction and measurement pathways used for actual samples. The system automatically determines its own correction factors by comparing measured concentrations against known calibration concentrations, eliminating the need for external calibration services or complex manual adjustment procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method calibrate efficiency of a gas extraction system in extracting hydrocarbons from mud flowing in a drilling operation. A background reading of a hydrocarbon is extracted from the mud flowing in the drilling operation with the gas extraction system and is checked for stability. An injection operation injects a known concentration of the hydrocarbon into mud, and a subject reading of the hydrocarbon is obtained with the gas extraction system during the injection operation. A correction factor of the hydrocarbon is determined for the gas extraction system by comparing the subject reading against its corresponding known concentration. Then, at least one operational reading of the hydrocarbon extracted from the mud with the gas extraction system can be corrected using the determined correction factor.