Mobile Fluid Management Unit for Drilling Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid management in oilfield operations is inefficient due to the need for separate units for vacuuming, storage, screening, and conditioning, which leads to downtime and increased costs, especially when dealing with drilling fluids that require on-site maintenance and handling of impurities and additives.
Innovation Solution
A mobile, combination unit that integrates vacuuming, storage, screening, and conditioning functions, allowing for on-site management of fluids with multiple ports for fluid intake and discharge, a centrifuge system for particle removal, and a mixing tank for additive introduction, enabling efficient fluid preparation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate stand-alone units are used for vacuuming, storage, screening, and conditioning functions, then each function can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall system complexity increases and drilling operations experience downtime due to the need for multiple separate units and off-site fluid maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vacuuming, storage, screening, and conditioning functions into a single integrated mobile unit. The unit features a vacuum tank for fluid intake and storage, a centrifuge system for particle separation, a mixing tank for additive introduction, and multiple ports for fluid intake and discharge, all integrated into one mobile platform that can be positioned at the drilling site.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile combination unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a vacuum pump for fluid intake, a storage tank for holding fluids, a centrifuge for particle removal, a mixing tank for additive preparation, and a discharge system for conditioned fluid output. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated units for each function.
2Reliability
If off-site fluid maintenance is performed using separate units, then fluid cleaning and conditioning can be accomplished, but drilling operations must shut down and wait for service, increasing downtime and operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile combination unit is positioned at the drilling site in advance, allowing fluid maintenance operations to be performed on-site without interrupting drilling operations. The unit includes pre-configured vacuum systems, centrifuges, and mixing tanks ready for immediate fluid processing, eliminating the need to shut down operations and wait for off-site service.
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling operation can maintain its own fluids using the mobile combination unit positioned at the site, rather than relying on external service providers. The unit enables the drilling operation to perform vacuuming, filtering, and conditioning of drilling fluids independently, ensuring continuous operation without external intervention.
3Productivity
If larger inventory of fluids and containers are stored on-site to ensure continuous drilling operations, then drilling can continue without interruption, but the space requirements and inventory management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile combination unit enables on-site fluid recycling and conditioning, allowing the drilling operation to reuse cleaned fluids instead of requiring large inventories of fresh fluid. The centrifuge system removes particles and the mixing tank replenishes additives, creating a closed-loop system that maintains fluid quality continuously, reducing the need for extensive fluid storage capacity.
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 combination unit allows for continuous drilling operations by providing on-site fluid management, reducing downtime and costs by integrating multiple functions into a single, mobile unit that can handle various fluid profiles and impurities effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump and vacuum conduit, and a vacuum tank comprising a volume capacity, an access hatch atop the vacuum tank, a vacuum port, the vacuum port communicating with the first and second suction port through pressure generated by the vacuum pump within the vacuum circuit
Implementation Method 2
a centrifuge system for particle removal
Implementation Method 3
a float valve located between the air line and the vacuum tank and a float residing within and rising with the fluid inside the volume tank, wherein upon reaching the volume capacity of the volume tank the float engages the float valve and cuts off the air line pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A combination unit for vacuuming, cleaning and conditioning fluids. The unit may comprise a vacuum pump circuit and tank, a mixing tank and a centrifuge system. The invention also includes a combination tank comprising a vacuum tank partially incorporated into a mixing tank. A mixing tank may comprise a system of mixing conduits and mixing apparatuses to shear drilling fluids and additives, the mixing tank including a rounded base and a drain to cycle the fluid back through to the mixing tank.