Modular Reactor System for Natural Gas Hydrate Sand Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing simulation devices for natural gas hydrate exploitation lack flexibility and modularity, making it difficult to design multiple experimental protocols for sand production and sand control, as they are not modularized and complicate in structure, restricting long-term sustainable exploitation.
Innovation Solution
A divisible device with a reactor system, feeding system, separation and measurement system, water-bath jacket system, support and safety system, and software recording and analyzing system, allowing for flexible assembly and simulation of various sand production and sand control scenarios by combining different reactor units and accessories to simulate different zones and well configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing simulation devices use a fixed non-modular structure, then the device structure is simple, but the device lacks flexibility and cannot simulate multiple experimental scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor system is divided into multiple independent reactor units (first reactor units with one end closed, second reactor units with both ends open, third reactor units with one end closed) that can be assembled in different combinations. Each reactor unit is a separate module that can be connected via ball valves and meshes, allowing the system to be configured for different experimental scenarios such as single-well or multi-well productions, thereby achieving flexibility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized components (ball valves, meshes, caps, sight openings, pressure relief openings) that can serve multiple functions. The same reactor units can be configured to simulate different reservoir zones, well configurations, and sand control scenarios, making the device multi-functional and adaptable to various experimental protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing simulation devices are not modularized, then the device structure is compact, but it is difficult to design multiple experimental protocols with one device
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized reactor units with consistent connection interfaces (ball valves, meshes, caps). Each unit can be independently configured and reassembled to create different experimental protocols, such as varying the number of wells, well configurations, and sand control screen positions, enabling multiple experimental protocols with a single modularized device.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the reactor system to be dynamically reconfigured between experiments. Reactor units can be assembled, disassembled, and rearranged to match different experimental requirements, providing dynamic adaptability across various sand production and sand control scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reactor system uses fixed configurations, then the device is easy to operate, but it cannot simulate sand production and sand control at various positions in the natural gas hydrate reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor system uses segmented, pre-fabricated reactor units with standardized connection points. Each unit can represent different reservoir zones or well configurations. By assembling these modular units in different sequences and configurations, the system can simulate sand production and sand control at various positions (different well locations, screen positions) while maintaining ease of operation through consistent connection procedures and standardized interfaces.
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 dynamic monitoring and analysis of sand production and sand control processes, allowing for the prediction of sand and gas production under different conditions, and optimization of sand control schemes, with the ability to simulate various experimental scenarios and improve the efficiency of natural gas hydrate exploitation.
Implementation Method 1
the water-bath jacket system is configured to regulate a temperature inside the reactor system for simulating an ambient temperature of a natural gas hydrate reservoir
Implementation Method 2
the feeding system is configured to introduce gas, liquid, and sands into the reactor system to allow formation of natural gas hydrates in the reactor system
Implementation Method 3
the separation and measurement system is configured to separate and measure the gas-liquid-sand mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A divisible device and a method for sand production and sand control experiment for natural gas hydrate exploitation. The experimental device includes a reactor system, a feeding system, a separation and measurement system, a water-bath jacket system, a support and safety system, and a software recording and analyzing system. In the reactor system, the reactor units can be combined in different ways depending on the experimental conditions and purposes. The reactor units include: left/right reactor units, secondary reactor units, central reactor units, and caps. The combination of a left/right reactor unit with a cap gives a hydrate formation reactor without sand control screens. Combining the left/right reactor unit, secondary left/right reactor units and central reactor units with other accessories allows the reactor system to carry out the simulation experiments with either zero, one, or two view zones, and with either one or two wells.