Mine Face Spectroscopy for Real-Time Hydrocarbon Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for hydrocarbon extraction are inefficient and lack accuracy due to subjective estimation methods and high costs associated with wellbore analysis and core sampling, which fail to provide comprehensive data on mining material properties, leading to uncertainty and reduced processing control.
Innovation Solution
Integration of mine face spectroscopic data with other data sources like heavy oil hand sample analysis, well log data, and ground penetrating radar data to adjust operations in real-time, using a system comprising extraction equipment, spectrometers, and a control unit to enhance hydrocarbon extraction and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional wellbore analysis and core sampling are used to obtain accurate mining material properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drilling and physical core sampling with optical spectroscopic analysis. Spectrometers mounted on mining equipment capture spectral data from mining material in real-time, eliminating the need for time-consuming wellbore drilling and laboratory analysis while providing accurate compositional information through non-destructive optical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mining equipment performs its own material characterization by incorporating spectrometers directly on the equipment. The system self-analyzes the mining material properties during the mining operation itself, eliminating the need for separate analysis operations and providing immediate feedback for process optimization.
2Measurement precision
If wellbore drilling operations are performed spaced at 100 meters apart to assess resource and bitumen recoverability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of substance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical drilling operations with non-invasive spectroscopic sensing. Spectrometers mounted on mining equipment continuously analyze mining material properties without requiring physical wellbore access, eliminating the need for disruptive drilling while maintaining accurate bitumen saturation and compositional assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectroscopic system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it characterizes mining material composition, assesses bitumen recoverability, monitors processing conditions, and provides real-time feedback for optimization. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate operations including drilling, core sampling, and laboratory analysis with a single integrated sensing system.
3Measurement precision
If core analysis is performed annually during the operational lifetime of the mine to determine specific quality properties, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous spectroscopic monitoring throughout the mining and processing operations. Spectrometers continuously analyze mining material properties from extraction through processing, replacing discontinuous annual core analysis with uninterrupted real-time measurement, enabling immediate process adjustments and maximizing productivity without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces periodic mechanical core sampling and laboratory analysis with continuous optical spectroscopic measurement. This substitution enables real-time quality characterization that maintains measurement precision while eliminating the production interruptions and time delays associated with annual core analysis programs.
4Ease of operation
If subjective estimation methods are used to observe color and adhesiveness of mining material samples, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human visual observation with objective spectroscopic measurement. Spectrometers capture quantitative spectral data from mining material, converting subjective color and adhesiveness assessments into precise, repeatable numerical measurements that eliminate operator bias while maintaining operational simplicity through automated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses spectroscopic detection of color and optical property changes in mining material to objectively quantify composition and properties. Instead of relying on human visual assessment of color and adhesiveness, the spectrometers measure spectral reflectance and absorption characteristics, providing precise, automated characterization of mining material properties.
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 approach provides real-time, concurrent ore characterization, reduces uncertainty, and increases processing agility by enabling timely adjustments, thereby improving hydrocarbon extraction efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining mine face spectroscopic data concurrently with removal of mining materials from a mine face
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are apparatus and systems using mine spectroscopic data at various stages of the hydrocarbon extraction process. The spectrometers may be mounted on various equipment components at the various stages of the hydrocarbon extraction process to passively collect energy reflected from objects. The obtained data may be used to determine mineralogy, bitumen saturation, bitumen viscosity, and grain size distribution in the mining operations.