Pneumatic Transfer of Fine Barite Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wellbore fluids face challenges in maintaining stability and preventing sag due to the settling of weighting agents, leading to issues like lost circulation and stuck pipe, and the transfer of finely ground barite particles is inefficient, resulting in labor-intensive and costly manual removal and potential loss of material during transportation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves pneumatically transferring finely ground weight materials, such as barite with a specific particle size distribution, using a pneumatic transfer system that aerates the particles to reduce compaction and improve dispersion, allowing for efficient transfer and use in wellbore fluids, which maintains stability and reduces viscosity, thereby preventing sag and enhancing drilling operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional manual transfer methods are used for barite particles, then labor intensity and cost increase, but material loss is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic conveying systems to transfer barite particles through controlled air flows. The system uses pneumatic vessels, air spargers, and pressure differentials to move particles efficiently from storage to mixing areas, eliminating manual handling while minimizing material loss through closed-system transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical transfer operations with automated pneumatic systems. Instead of labor-intensive shoveling and pouring, the system uses pressurized air to convey particles through designated pathways, reducing both labor requirements and spillage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If barite particles are ground to fine sizes (d50 4-8 microns, d90 15-25 microns), then dispersion and stability improve, but transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension stabilityVSAvoidtransfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic conveying system is specifically designed to handle fine barite particles (d50 4-8 microns, d90 15-25 microns) by using controlled air pressure and velocity. The system maintains particle suspension during transfer, ensuring that fine particles are efficiently moved without settling or clogging, thus maintaining both transfer efficiency and particle integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes particle size parameters (d50 4-8 microns, d90 15-25 microns) to achieve a balance between suspension stability and transferability. This specific size range provides sufficient surface area for stability while remaining manageable through pneumatic conveying systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If weighting agents are added to increase wellbore fluid density, then hydrostatic pressure and borehole stability improve, but particle settling and sag occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrostatic pressureVSAvoidparticle suspension stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies particle size parameters (d50 4-8 microns, d90 15-25 microns) to optimize the balance between achieving sufficient density for hydrostatic pressure and preventing excessive settling. The fine particle size distribution allows the weighting agent to remain more uniformly suspended while still providing the necessary density increase for borehole stability.

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

The pneumatic transfer method achieves efficient and cost-effective transfer of finely ground weight materials, maintaining stability and reducing viscosity in wellbore fluids, thereby preventing sag and improving drilling operations by ensuring better dispersion and reduced material loss during transportation.

Implementation Method 1

supplying an air flow to the ground weight material in the pneumatic transfer vessel; and pneumatically transferring the ground weight material from the pneumatic transfer vessel to a storage vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic transfer: Fluidisation

Data Source

PatentUS10093844B2Methods of pneumatically conveying solid particulates

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method for transferring barite for use in wellbore fluids may include providing a ground weight material comprising barite and quartz having a d50 between about 4 and 8 and a d90 between about 15-25 microns to a pneumatic transfer vessel, supplying an air flow to the ground weight material in the pneumatic transfer vessel, and pneumatically transferring the ground weight material from the pneumatic transfer vessel to a storage vessel.