On-the-fly Polymer Quality Testing Bypass Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymer solutions used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations are subject to mechanical degradation when flowing through injection equipment, making it challenging to maintain their quality and effectiveness downhole.
Innovation Solution
A testing assembly with a bypass line and device base is used to evaluate the quality of polymer solutions by flowing them through various apparatuses, such as valves and static mixers, and measuring properties like viscosity to assess degradation, ensuring the polymer's molecular integrity before injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If polymer solutions are flowed through injection equipment for EOR operations, then oil recovery performance is improved, but mechanical degradation of polymer occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements quality testing of polymer solutions before injection into the reservoir. A testing assembly with bypass line and device base allows pre-injection evaluation of polymer properties such as viscosity and molecular weight, enabling identification and mitigation of degradation effects before they compromise EOR operation success
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism by testing polymer quality downhole or at surface after circulation, then using this information to adjust injection parameters or polymer formulation. The testing assembly provides real-time data on polymer degradation, enabling continuous optimization of EOR operations to balance productivity gains with polymer stability maintenance
2Measurement precision
If polymer quality testing is performed downhole, then real-time quality assessment is achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the testing system into separate modular components: a bypass line that can be independently installed, a device base that interfaces with existing EOR equipment, and removable testing apparatus. This segmentation allows the testing function to be added without completely redesigning the injection system, reducing overall complexity while enabling real-time quality assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bypass line as an intermediary component that creates a separate testing pathway parallel to the main injection flow. This intermediary structure allows polymer samples to be diverted for quality testing without disrupting the primary EOR operation, simplifying integration while achieving real-time measurement capabilities
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 allows for on-the-fly quality testing of polymer solutions, minimizing mechanical degradation and ensuring the success of EOR operations by identifying and mitigating degradation effects in real-time.
Implementation Method 1
measuring properties like viscosity to assess degradation
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a bypass line having a first connection end and a second connection end, a device base positioned along the bypass line, an upstream valve positioned along the bypass line between the device base and the first connection end, and a downstream valve positioned along the bypass line between the device base and the second connection end. The device base includes a first opening to the bypass line, a second opening to the bypass line, and a support structure supporting at least one of the first and second openings.