NMR Oil Water Composition Analysis in Drilling Muds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the oil and water composition in drilling muds are time-consuming, prone to signal overlap, and not practical for in-line analysis, requiring inefficient distillation techniques and the use of paramagnetic ions that are not suitable for real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system and method that acquires two-dimensional T1-T2 relaxation measurements, using a saturation recovery sequence followed by a CPMG echo train, transforms data into a relaxation component space, and projects it to separate oil and water signals based on peak areas and intensity, allowing for quick and accurate oil-water ratio determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If distillation techniques are used to determine oil and water composition, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal distillation system with an NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) measurement system. The NMR method uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to directly measure oil and water compositions through relaxation time differences, eliminating the need for time-consuming thermal distillation processes while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from thermal/chemical separation (distillation) to magnetic resonance relaxation time measurement. By measuring T1 and T2 relaxation times of protons in different phases, the system can distinguish and quantify oil and water components rapidly without phase change or chemical reactions, thus reducing measurement time while preserving accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If paramagnetic ions are added to separate oil and water signals, then signal separation is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the inherent physical property differences (relaxation times) of oil and water protons without adding any external substances. By measuring T1 and T2 relaxation times and analyzing the distribution spectra, the method separates oil and water signals based on their natural magnetic resonance characteristics, eliminating the need for paramagnetic ion additives and associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the oil and water components to self-separate in the relaxation time domain based on their intrinsic properties. The NMR measurement captures the natural relaxation behavior of protons in different phases, and mathematical processing of the relaxation time distributions automatically separates the signals without requiring external separation agents or complex additional equipment.
3Productivity
If one-dimensional NMR measurements are used, then measurement speed is improved, but signal overlap between oil and water reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional NMR measurements (single relaxation time dimension) to two-dimensional NMR measurements (T1-T2 correlation space). By measuring both T1 (spin-lattice) and T2 (spin-spin) relaxation times and plotting them in a two-dimensional correlation spectrum, the method creates an additional separation dimension that resolves overlapping signals while maintaining rapid measurement capability through efficient pulse sequence design.
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 rapid, non-invasive, and accurate analysis of oil and water ratios in drilling muds, reducing measurement errors and operational costs, and providing effective separation without the need for paramagnetic ions or time-consuming distillation.
Implementation Method 1
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system and method that acquires two-dimensional T1-T2 relaxation measurements
Implementation Method 2
measuring the spin-lattice relaxation time distribution of the sample
Implementation Method 3
measuring the spin-spin relaxation time distribution of the sample
Implementation Method 4
using a saturation recovery sequence followed by a CPMG echo train
Implementation Method 5
using a saturation recovery sequence followed by a CPMG echo train
Implementation Method 6
transforms data into a relaxation component space with a two dimensional inverse Laplace transform
Data Source
AI summary
A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system and method for determining oil and water composition in drilling mud by separating out signals from oil and water in a two dimensional relaxation space wherein the oil and water ratio is a function of the separated out signals. The spin-lattice relaxation time distribution or a spin-spin relaxation time distribution of the sample is measured and a spin-lattice versus spin-spin or a spin-spin versus diffusion two-dimensional procedure is applied to separate the components of the drilling fluid. The signal intensities from the oil and water regions of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional NMR measurements are used to quantify the relative portion of the proton NMR signal from the oil and water and to determine the ratio of oil and water in the drilling mud.