Pressure Containment Device Seal Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure containment devices in drilling systems face challenges with wear and integrity monitoring, excessive friction, and uncontrolled fluid release due to high frictional coefficients and lack of lubrication, leading to premature failure and safety risks during drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A pressure containment device with a tubular seal sleeve and annular packer design that uses clean drilling fluid as a lubricant, injected between the seal and drill string, to reduce friction and wear, while monitoring fluid flow rates to detect seal integrity issues and maintain pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure containment device uses a seal to contain pressure in the annulus, then pressure containment is improved, but friction and wear between the seal and drill string increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces clean drilling fluid as an intermediary lubricant between the seal and drill string. The fluid is injected through injection ports into the space between the seal and drill string, creating a fluid film that reduces direct contact and friction. This mediator allows the seal to maintain pressure containment while significantly reducing wear and friction forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using fluid injection to create a hydrodynamic seal and lubrication film. The injection ports deliver clean drilling fluid under pressure into the seal-drill string interface, utilizing fluid dynamics to reduce friction and wear while maintaining the pressure containment function of the seal.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If clean drilling fluid is injected between the seal and drill string to reduce friction, then wear is reduced, but fluid management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the existing drilling fluid circulation infrastructure to provide lubrication. The clean drilling fluid is injected through ports in the pressure containment device and returns through the normal drilling fluid return system. This self-service approach leverages the existing fluid management system rather than requiring a completely separate lubrication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The clean drilling fluid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lubricant to reduce friction and wear, maintains pressure containment, and integrates with the existing drilling fluid circulation system. The injection ports and fluid management utilize the universal drilling fluid infrastructure already present in the drilling system.
3Reliability
If monitoring of fluid flow rates is implemented to detect seal integrity issues, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the flow rate of clean drilling fluid through the injection ports and comparing it to the flow rate returning from the annulus. This feedback system allows detection of seal integrity issues: if the seal deteriorates, the flow rates will diverge, providing early warning of potential failures without requiring complex diagnostic equipment.
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 solution effectively reduces wear and friction, extends seal longevity, and allows for accurate monitoring of seal integrity, preventing uncontrolled fluid release and ensuring safe drilling operations by maintaining a hydrodynamic seal and fluid buffer between the seal and drill string.
Implementation Method 1
a seal arranged in the housing to surround and enter into a sealing engagement with a tubular body extending along the passage
Implementation Method 2
uses clean drilling fluid as a lubricant, injected between the seal and drill string, to reduce friction and wear
Implementation Method 3
maintaining a hydrodynamic seal and fluid buffer between the seal and drill string
Implementation Method 4
the overflow outlet port is exposed to a hydrostatic head provided by a fluid in the bell nipple or the section of the riser pipe
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pressure containment device which includes a housing with a returns outlet port, an injection port, and an overflow outlet port, and a seal assembly with a seal arranged in the housing to surround and enter into a sealing engagement with a tubular body extending along a passage in the housing via a sealing face. The injection port is arranged between the returns outlet port and a first end of the seal. The overflow outlet port is arranged adjacent to a second, opposite, end of the seal and communicates with an upper end of the passage. The upper end of the passage connects to a bell nipple or to a section of a riser pipe and, in use, the overflow outlet port is exposed to a hydrostatic head provided by a fluid in the bell nipple or the section of the riser pipe.