Downhole Magnetic Pump Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole pumping systems face challenges such as high frictional losses and the need for surface equipment, which can lead to leak hazards and equipment malfunctions, especially when dealing with corrosive fluids like H2S, and require frequent assembly and disassembly of tubing sections.
Innovation Solution
A downhole magnetic pump system utilizing a conductive wire coil to generate a magnetic field, which actuates a traveling valve assembly to repetitively cycle and displace fluid within a wellbore, reducing the need for surface equipment and minimizing frictional losses by using fewer moving components and allowing for uninterrupted deployment with coiled tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional downhole pumping systems are used, then fluid can be lifted from subterranean zone, but high frictional losses and equipment malfunctions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical pumping systems with a magnetic field-based actuation system. The conductive wire coil generates a magnetic field that directly actuates the traveling valve assembly, eliminating the need for mechanical connections, seals, and surface equipment. This substitution reduces frictional losses and eliminates equipment malfunctions associated with mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates surface equipment and mechanical drive systems from the conventional pumping system. By using a magnetic field generated by a conductive wire coil deployed downhole, the system removes the need for surface stuffing boxes, mechanical seals, and complex surface machinery, thereby reducing frictional losses and equipment failure points.
2Reliability
If conventional pumping systems with surface equipment are used, then fluid lifting is achieved, but leak hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates surface equipment from the system by deploying a complete downhole magnetic pumping system. The conductive wire coil and valve assemblies are positioned entirely downhole, removing surface stuffing boxes and mechanical seals that create leak hazards with corrosive fluids like H2S.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical surface-driven pumping systems with a magnetic field-based system operated entirely downhole. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical connections at the surface that create leak paths, especially important when handling corrosive fluids.
3Ease of repair
If frequent assembly and disassembly of tubing sections is performed, then system maintenance is possible, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pumping system into modular components (conductive wire coil, traveling valve assembly, standing valve assembly) that can be independently deployed and retrieved. This segmentation allows for easier maintenance of specific components without requiring complete system disassembly, maintaining productivity while enabling repairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes coiled tubing as a flexible delivery mechanism that can be continuously deployed and retrieved without frequent assembly and disassembly of rigid tubing sections. This flexibility maintains continuous operation while allowing the pump components to be accessed for maintenance.
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 system effectively pumps fluids with reduced frictional losses and eliminates the need for surface stuffing boxes, minimizing leak hazards and equipment malfunctions, while enabling continuous operation without the need for frequent tubing section changes.
Implementation Method 1
A conductive wire coil is helically wrapped around an outer surface of the tube and is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electrical current passing through the coil
Implementation Method 2
The traveling valve is axially movable within the tube and is configured to travel in an uphole direction in response to the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole magnetic pump system includes a tube positioned within a wellbore at least partially filled with a fluid. A conductive wire coil is helically wrapped around the tube and is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electrical current passing through the coil. A standing valve assembly including a one-way valve and a travelling valve assembly also including a one-way valve are both positioned in the tube, with the travelling valve assembly positioned uphole of the standing valve assembly. The traveling valve is configured to repetitively cycle between a first position uphole of the standing valve assembly and a second position uphole of the first position in response to the electrical current repetitively switching between a first state to a second state. In this way, a portion of the fluid is displaced in an uphole direction.