Pilot-Amplified Flow Control for Density-Based Borehole Choking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid management systems in the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries struggle to automatically differentiate and control the flow of different fluids, particularly in varying operating conditions, leading to inefficiencies and undesirable fluid production.
Innovation Solution
A pilot amplified autonomous flow control configuration using rotatable blocks with specific gravities between oil and water, which self-orient to automatically choke undesirable fluids by rotating to block ports and amplify the closure signal through a pressure mechanism, enhancing the flow control device's responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flow control device is used to manage fluid flows, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the device cannot automatically differentiate between different fluids under varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in fluid density parameters to enable automatic differentiation. The rotatable block's specific gravity is selected to be between that of oil and water, causing it to rotate in response to density changes in the fluid mixture, thereby automatically adjusting the flow control ports based on fluid composition without external control systems.
2Productivity
If manual flow control is used, then fluid management is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases and undesirable fluid production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device is designed to be self-regulating through the rotatable block mechanism. The block automatically rotates in response to fluid density changes, opening or closing flow control ports without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual monitoring and adjustment, thereby improving operational efficiency and preventing undesirable fluid production through continuous automatic differentiation and control.
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 configuration effectively and autonomously manages fluid flow by differentiating between desirable and undesirable fluids, reducing their flow and maintaining operational efficiency by self-orienting and amplifying closure signals, thus improving fluid management in boreholes.
Implementation Method 1
the first block having a specific gravity greater than oil and less than water, the first block rotating based upon density of fluid in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
the first block having a specific gravity greater than oil and less than water
Data Source
AI summary
A pilot amplified autonomous flow control configuration, including a flow control device having an inlet and an outlet, a pilot having an inlet connected to a source of fluid to which the device inlet is connected, the pilot comprising a first chamber having a first rotatable block, the first block having a specific gravity greater than oil and less than water, a port with a plurality of ports extending through the port wall, the first block rotating based upon density of fluid in the chamber to block some of the plurality of ports while leaving others of the plurality of ports open. A method for controlling flow in a borehole including running and allowing a configuration to self orient, and controlling flow.