Reagent-Based Borehole Sample Chamber for Chemical Component Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement techniques for chemically active components in formation fluids, such as hydrogen sulfide, often underestimate concentrations due to absorption/adsorption on tool surfaces and during sample transfers, leading to potential damage and safety hazards in hydrocarbon wells.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sampling tool with a sample chamber containing a substrate and reagent that reacts with chemically active components, allowing for controlled interaction and determination of their presence and concentration, integrated with a pump and sensor system for accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement techniques are used to sample formation fluids, then the sampling process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision of chemically active components deteriorates due to absorption/adsorption on tool surfaces and during sample transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the chemically active component from the formation fluid sample and transfers it to a separate analysis chamber containing reagent. This separation prevents further absorption/adsorption on tool surfaces during sampling and transfer, as the component is isolated in the analysis chamber where it reacts with the reagent for accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces reagent as an intermediary substance in the analysis chamber that chemically reacts with the chemically active component. This reagent-mediated reaction enables precise quantification of the component concentration without requiring direct contact between the sample and measurement instruments, thereby eliminating surface absorption/adsorption errors.
2Reliability
If conventional sampling methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but harmful factors increase due to underestimation of chemically active components leading to potential damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical sampling and transfer processes with a chemical reaction-based measurement system. Instead of physically transporting the entire sample through complex piping and transfer mechanisms (which cause absorption/adsorption), the system uses chemical reaction between reagent and the chemically active component to directly determine concentration, improving reliability while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from direct physical measurement of the sample to chemical reaction product detection. By monitoring the reaction between reagent and chemically active component (such as color change, fluorescence, or other detectable changes), the system achieves accurate concentration measurement that reflects true formation fluid composition, enabling reliable safety assessments.
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
Enables precise quantification of chemically active components like H2S, mercury, and carbon dioxide, enhancing well operation safety and efficiency by providing accurate data for decision-making.
Implementation Method 1
a reagent (e.g., a liquid, gel, or coated solid) that reacts to the chemically active component to form a reaction product
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sampling tool is locatable in a borehole for sampling formation fluid including a chemically active component from a formation. The fluid sampling tool includes a sample chamber including a fluid inlet and an interior, wherein the interior includes a substrate and a reagent attached to the substrate, and wherein the reagent is configured to react with the chemically active component of the formation fluid to form a reaction product. The fluid sampling tool also includes a pump operable to pump a sample of the formation fluid in from the formation through the probe and into the sample chamber. A formation fluid sample flows into the sample chamber and a chemically active component of the formation fluid sample reacts with the reagent to form the reaction product from which a presence and concentration of the chemically active component in the formation fluid sample is determinable