Mud Pump Degassing With Vacuum Gas Extraction for Accurate Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrocarbon extraction methods from drilling muds are inefficient in separating and measuring hydrocarbons, particularly when transitioning from subsurface to surface conditions, leading to incomplete gas release and inaccurate measurements due to trapped or bound hydrocarbons.
Innovation Solution
A mud pump and gas extraction system featuring a reciprocating piston-based degassing device with one-way valves and a vacuum-assisted gas sample line, coupled with a gas analysis unit, effectively extracts and analyzes hydrocarbon gases from drilling mud by controlling the flow of mud and gas through coordinated valve operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional hydrocarbon extraction methods are used with mechanical agitators and gas traps, then the extraction process is simple in design, but the gas extraction is incomplete and measurement accuracy is poor due to trapped or bound hydrocarbons
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is segmented into distinct functional components: a piston-driven pumping mechanism for controlled mud displacement, one-way valves for directional flow control, and a separate gas extraction line with vacuum pump. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, ensuring complete gas release while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control through reciprocating piston motion that alternates between suction and discharge strokes, creating varying pressure conditions that facilitate complete gas extraction. The coordinated operation of one-way valves with the piston cycle dynamically controls fluid and gas flow directions, ensuring thorough hydrocarbon release from the mud stream.
2Reliability
If a reciprocating piston-based degassing device with one-way valves and vacuum assistance is used, then complete gas extraction and measurement accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and operational coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
One-way valves serve as intermediary elements that automatically control flow direction between the mud stream and gas extraction line without requiring complex active control mechanisms. These passive intermediaries ensure reliable gas separation by allowing gas to pass into the extraction line while preventing mud contamination, simplifying the coordination requirements despite the reciprocating piston mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pneumatic principles through the vacuum pump connected to the gas extraction line, creating a pressure differential that actively draws gas from the mud stream. This hydraulic-pneumatic approach ensures complete gas extraction by maintaining continuous suction pressure, improving reliability without requiring complex mechanical gas removal mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If conventional extraction vessels with mechanical agitators are used, then the equipment structure is simple, but hydrocarbons remain trapped in the mud and measurement data is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating piston operates in periodic cycles of suction and discharge strokes, creating repeated pressure changes that continuously facilitate gas release from the mud. This periodic action ensures thorough hydrocarbon extraction by repeatedly subjecting the mud to pressure variations, improving measurement accuracy while the automated valve coordination maintains ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the coordinated operation of one-way valves that respond to pressure differential changes during piston cycles. This passive feedback mechanism automatically adjusts flow directions based on instantaneous pressure conditions, ensuring complete gas extraction while requiring minimal operational intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation.
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 system enhances the accuracy of hydrocarbon measurement by ensuring complete gas extraction and separation from drilling mud, providing reliable data on hydrocarbon compositions and fluid contacts, even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A gas sample line is provided under negative pressure from a vacuum pump to draw air through the gas sample line from the upstream end toward the downstream end and the gas trap.
Implementation Method 2
the piston in the degassing chamber is reciprocated to draw mud into the degassing chamber during a mud suction stroke and force the mud out of the chamber during a mud discharge stroke
Implementation Method 3
A mud pump with integrated one-way valves is provided
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Systems and methods for extracting hydrocarbon gas are characterized by: a degassing device (10, 60) having a degassing chamber (38, 64) defined within an outer housing (36, 62); a mud inlet valve (44, 66) through which hydrocarbon-bearing drilling mud is flowed into a mud chamber portion (56, 92) of the degassing chamber; a degassing member retained within the degassing chamber and movable therewithin to expand the mud chamber portion of the degassing chamber, wherein hydrocarbon gas is extracted from the hydrocarbon-bearing drilling mud as the degassing member is moved within the degassing chamber; and a gas suction valve (50) for removal of extracted hydrocarbon gas from the degassing chamber.