Multi-Type Hydrate Formation Simulation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current research on natural gas hydrates primarily focuses on loose sand formations, neglecting consolidated formations, and lacks equipment capable of simulating various types of hydrate formations, which are diverse in porosity, density, and elastic modulus, hindering accurate experimental data and exploration efforts.
Innovation Solution
A multi-type hydrate formation simulation system comprising a reactor with a formation simulation space that can be filled with either loose or consolidated formation skeletons, a gas source device for introducing natural gas at preset pressures, and a cryogenic cooler for temperature control, allowing for the simulation of different types of hydrate formations, including loose and consolidated types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If research equipment is designed for a single type of formation, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to study different types of hydrate formations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation system is designed with multi-functionality to study different types of hydrate formations (loose sand, consolidated sand, fractured formations) using a single integrated platform. The reactor can be configured with different formation skeletons and the system maintains all necessary components (cryogenic cooler, gas source, pressure control) to handle various formation types, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the reactor is filled with consolidated formation skeleton requiring confining pressure, then the simulation accuracy of consolidated hydrate formations is improved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A confining pressure medium (such as oil or water) is introduced as an intermediary to apply uniform confining pressure to the consolidated formation skeleton from all directions. This mediator enables accurate simulation of in-situ stress conditions without requiring complex mechanical confinement structures, thereby improving simulation accuracy while managing device complexity.
3Temperature
If the temperature control range is extended to lower temperatures, then the ability to simulate hydrate formation conditions is improved, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs parameter changes by adjusting the temperature of the cryogenic cooler to match specific hydrate formation conditions for different formation types. The temperature can be dynamically adjusted within the range of -10 to 20°C based on the specific experimental requirements, allowing efficient energy use by only cooling to the necessary temperature rather than maintaining a constantly low temperature.
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
Enables the simulation of various hydrate formations, providing more accurate and scientific experimental data for the exploration and development of hydrates by replicating the physical properties of different types of hydrate formations, such as loose and consolidated types, with controlled pressure and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a gas source device configured to introduce natural gas at a preset pressure into the formation simulation space
Implementation Method 2
a cryogenic cooler, comprising a temperature-adjustable thermotank, wherein the hydrate generator is arranged in the thermotank, and a temperature adjustment range of the thermotank is −10 ̃20° C.
Implementation Method 3
so that the loose formation skeleton or the consolidated formation skeleton can produce a simulated loose hydrate formation or a consolidated hydrate formation
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a multi-type hydrate formation simulation system and a method thereof. The simulation system comprises a hydrate generator, a gas source device and a cryogenic cooler. The hydrate generator comprises a reactor, in which a formation simulation space is provided and can be selectively filled with a loose formation skeleton or a consolidated formation skeleton. The gas source device is configured to introduce natural gas at a preset pressure into the formation simulation space. The cryogenic cooler comprises a temperature-adjustable thermotank, in which the hydrate generator is arranged. The simulation system and method provided can be used to study the influence of consolidated hydrate formation structures and loose hydrate formation structures and particle contact modes on the physical properties of hydrate rock, and are of great significance to the interpretation of hydrate formation exploration data and the estimation of hydrate saturation.