Deformable Perforation Plug for Irregular Hole Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plugging devices for perforation holes in fracturing construction are unable to match the shape of irregularly shaped perforation holes, leading to poor plugging efficacy and frequent dislodgment, resulting in unintended plugging of unfractured holes.
Innovation Solution
A plugging device comprising a flexible outer wall with a rigid body, a deformable filler, and optional fluff, designed to adapt to the shape of the perforation hole under fluid pressure, ensuring secure fixation with protrusions and a breakable shell for ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temporary plugging ball is used to plug perforation holes, then the plugging operation can be performed, but the ball cannot be fixed at the inlet of the perforation hole and may move freely with the fluid, potentially plugging new perforation holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible wrapping body made of deformable material that can adapt to the shape of the perforation hole. This flexible shell structure allows the plugging device to conform to irregular hole shapes while maintaining a secure fit, preventing the device from moving freely with the fluid compared to rigid spherical balls.
Solution Approach 2:
The plugging device incorporates dynamic adaptability through its deformable wrapping body that changes shape under fluid pressure to match the perforation hole geometry. This dynamic response ensures the device remains stationary at the hole inlet while accommodating variations in hole shape, unlike static spherical plugging balls.
2Reliability
If a temporary plugging ball is used, then the plugging process can be implemented, but the ball cannot completely cover perforation holes with irregular shapes, resulting in poor plugging effect
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible wrapping body made of deformable material can conform to various perforation hole shapes including oval, bullet-shaped, rectangular, and trapezoidal configurations. This flexibility enables complete coverage of irregular hole shapes, unlike rigid spherical plugging balls that cannot adapt to non-circular geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping body undergoes parameter changes in its geometric shape under fluid pressure, transforming from an initial form to a shape that matches the perforation hole contours. This shape transformation enables the device to accommodate and seal irregular hole geometries effectively.
3Reliability
If multiple plugging devices are used to ensure complete coverage, then the plugging reliability improves, but the construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging device is designed as a universal solution that can handle various perforation hole shapes and sizes through its deformable wrapping body. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices or multiple plugging operations, reducing construction time while maintaining high reliability through a single effective device per hole.
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 device effectively plugs irregularly shaped perforation holes, remains firmly in place without pressure difference, reducing the need for multiple devices and on-site expertise, and minimizing construction time and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible outer wall with a rigid body, a deformable filler
Implementation Method 2
the shell is configured to break when an external pressure is greater than 10 MPa
Data Source
AI summary
A plugging device includes a wrapping body, the wrapping body includes a flexible outer wall and a rigid body located inside the wrapping body, a filler is arranged in a remaining space, other than a space occupied by the rigid body, in the wrapping body; and the filler has fluidity. The plugging device can better cover, fill and plug special-shaped holes, and the deformed wrapping body will fill an inlet of a perforation hole and will not easily fall off without a pressure difference.