Hydrocyclone Adjustable Inlet for Drilling Fluid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling fluid processing systems face inefficiencies in separating solids from drilling mud, particularly when the feed flow rate decreases, leading to reduced separation performance and potential failure due to lower velocities in hydrocyclones with fixed inlet sizes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hydrocyclones with adjustable inlets, featuring movable closure members and control systems that can manually or automatically adjust the inlet flow channel size, maintaining constant velocities and improving separation efficiency across varying flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inlet size of the hydrocyclone is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the separation performance deteriorates at decreased feed flow rates due to lower velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inlet flow channel size adjustable rather than fixed. The inlet can be modified to change its cross-sectional area, allowing the hydrocyclone to adapt to varying feed flow rates. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal velocities and separation performance across different operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed simplicity and variable performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the inlet flow channel dimensions based on feed flow rate conditions. When feed flow rate decreases, the inlet size is reduced to maintain appropriate velocities within the hydrocyclone. This parameter adjustment ensures consistent separation performance despite changes in operating conditions, addressing the reliability issue without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If the inlet flow channel size is reduced to maintain velocities at lower flow rates, then the separation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to movable closure members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the inlet flow channel adjustment mechanism to respond automatically to feed flow rate changes. The movable closure member system can be configured to self-adjust the inlet size based on operating conditions, reducing the need for complex external control systems while maintaining separation performance. This self-regulating approach minimizes device complexity while achieving the desired reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet size is adjustable, then the adaptability to varying flow rates is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual or automatic adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating sensors and control systems that automatically monitor feed flow rate and adjust the inlet size accordingly. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability to varying flow rates. The system self-regulates based on real-time conditions, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and operational simplicity.
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
This solution enhances the separation performance of hydrocyclones by maintaining constant velocities and preventing separation failures even at reduced flow rates, ensuring effective processing of drilling fluids and solids, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The circular path of the flow results in centripetal acceleration which is applied to settling velocities of the suspended solids, driving larger and heavier particles outwardly toward the conical wall
Implementation Method 2
The liquid phase of the drilling mud, carrying smaller and lighter drilled solids, moves as a spiraling vortex to the vortex finder outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for treating a drilling fluid mixture including feeding the drilling fluid mixture to a hydrocyclone (or hydrocyclones) with a flow-volume-adjustable inlet for controlling flow of the drilling fluid mixture into the hydrocyclone(s). This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).