Nano-particle Reinforced Ceramic Well Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well screens lack sufficient strength, brittleness, and erosion resistance, which affects their filtering efficiency and durability when used in subterranean applications.

Innovation Solution

The integration of nano-particles, such as nano-fibers and nano-powders, into a ceramic porous substrate of well screens to enhance tensile strength, reduce brittleness, and increase erosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional well screen filters are used, then they can perform basic filtration, but they lack sufficient tensile strength, brittleness resistance, and erosion resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strengthVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by integrating nano-particles (such as carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, or nanopowders) into the ceramic porous substrate. This creates a composite structure where the nano-particles reinforce the ceramic matrix, simultaneously improving tensile strength and resistance to brittleness and erosion, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If ceramic material is used for filtration, then filtering efficiency is improved, but brittleness increases and erosion resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidbrittleness and erosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ceramic porous substrate is reinforced with nano-particles to create a composite material that maintains the excellent filtering efficiency of ceramic while compensating for its brittleness and poor erosion resistance. The nano-particle reinforcement creates a more ductile and erosion-resistant composite structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The nano-particles are specifically positioned within the ceramic matrix to provide localized reinforcement where needed. The composite structure allows different regions of the filter to have optimized properties, with nano-particle clusters providing erosion resistance in high-velocity flow areas while maintaining overall filtering efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 nano-particle reinforcement significantly improves the mechanical properties of well screens, enabling more effective filtration and increased durability while maintaining cost efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The nano-particle reinforcement may be disposed in pores of the ceramic material. The nano-particle reinforcement can comprise nano-fibers, or other types of nano-particles. The nano-particle reinforcement may increase a tensile strength of the filter, reduce a brittleness of the filter, and/or increase an erosion resistance of the filter.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNano-particle reinforcement: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS10633955B2Nano-particle reinforced well screen

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A well screen for use in a subterranean well can include a filter with a nano-particle reinforcement. A method of constructing a well screen can include treating a filter with a nano-particle reinforcement.