Particle Separation in Injection Water via Gravitational Precipitation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The operation and maintenance of large injection water filters on the seabed for treating injection water before petroleum reservoir stimulation are complex and costly due to high flow rates and the need for both mechanical and chemical treatment to prevent unintended effects like bacterial growth and corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a closed space with controlled low flow rates allows particles to precipitate from untreated injection water, which is then treated with additives, potentially using copper to deter organisms, eliminating the need for filtration plants by ensuring particles settle before further treatment and injection into the reservoir.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical filtration is used to remove particles from injection water, then particle removal is achieved, but device complexity and operational cost increase due to large filter plants required for high flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle removal effectivenessVSAvoidfilter plant complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems with a gravitational precipitation process. By controlling flow rate to be sufficiently low, particles naturally settle out of the water through gravity without requiring mechanical filters, thereby eliminating complex filter plant infrastructure while maintaining particle removal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the flow rate parameter to achieve particle precipitation. By reducing the flow rate to a sufficiently low level, the system enables particles to settle gravitationally. This parameter change transforms the approach from mechanical filtration to gravitational separation, simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If filtration plants are installed on the seabed for injection water treatment, then treatment capability is improved, but operation and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater treatment capabilityVSAvoidoperation and maintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical filtration systems in favor of a passive gravitational precipitation process. This substitution removes the need for complex mechanical components that require maintenance, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining water treatment capability through natural settling processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If high flow rates are used in injection water treatment, then treatment speed is improved, but particle precipitation is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidparticle removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the flow rate parameter to balance treatment efficiency with particle precipitation. By setting the flow rate to be sufficiently low, the system ensures particles have adequate time to settle gravitationally while still maintaining acceptable treatment throughput. This parameter optimization achieves both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method simplifies the treatment process by allowing particles to precipitate within a controlled environment, reducing the complexity and cost of seabed-based treatment plants and enhancing the effectiveness of water treatment by preventing unwanted organisms from entering the reservoir.

Implementation Method 1

the flow rate is sufficiently low for particles above a certain size and specific gravity to precipitate from the injection water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

it is common to take as a basis the generally known Stoke's law: Vt=g⋅D2⋅ρ1−ρ218⋅μms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStokes law: Stokes Drift

Data Source

PatentEP1929124B1Method and device for separation of particles from injection water

Publication Date: 2017.10.25 SEABOX AS

AI summary

A method and device for separating particles from injection water, the injection water being used for the stimulation of a petroleum reservoir. The water is drawn from a water reservoir, cleaned and typically treated by means of additives before being led into the petroleum reservoir. The injection water is first led into a closed space (14) , in which the flow rate is sufficiently low for undesired particles to precipitate from the injection water.