Downhole Reflector Holding Device for Multiphase Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for assessing the mix of fluids in fossil fuel wells are inadequate for harsh conditions and lack sensitivity to differentiate between gas and liquid phases, especially in directional and horizontal wells.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses electromagnetic radiation and a reflector immersed in the multiphase fluid to analyze the fluid composition based on the intensity of reflected radiation, allowing for real-time determination of fluid presence, concentration, and phase fractions without sampling, and is designed to withstand extreme pressures and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic radiation and reflector are used to analyze fluid composition in real-time, then measurement precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electromagnetic radiation source, optical fiber guiding device, reflector, and processing subsystem into an integrated downhole tool assembly. This merging of multiple functional components into a single deployable device enables real-time multiphase fluid analysis while managing the complexity through systematic integration rather than separate distributed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflector as an intermediary component that reflects electromagnetic radiation back through the optical fiber to the processing subsystem. This intermediary enables the measurement of fluid composition by analyzing the reflected radiation properties without requiring direct contact between the radiation source and the fluid, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If reflector is fully immersed in multiphase fluid for direct measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by immersing only the reflector component directly in the multiphase fluid while keeping the electromagnetic radiation source and processing subsystem protected within the tool housing. This localized exposure allows the reflector to interact with the fluid for precise measurement while other sensitive components remain shielded from harsh downhole conditions, thereby maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector serves as an intermediary that is exposed to the multiphase fluid, allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass through the fluid and reflect back with modified properties. This intermediary approach enables direct fluid interaction for measurement precision while the reflector's simple geometric structure (corner cube or spherical) ensures reliability under extreme pressure and temperature conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If optical fiber is in physical contact with reflector for radiation guidance, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-aligning the optical fiber with the reflector during the manufacturing process and securing them together as an integrated assembly. This pre-alignment ensures precise optical coupling between the fiber and reflector while reducing assembly complexity during field deployment, as the components arrive pre-configured and require minimal adjustment.
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 differentiation of natural gas from liquid and determination of fluid concentrations in multiphase fluids within wells, even in complex flow environments, without external sampling, providing accurate and immediate analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector that reflects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to generate a reflected portion of the electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A holding is presented. The holding device includes a male connector comprising a first male extension and a second male extension that extend out of opposite surfaces of a male central disk, an electromagnetic guiding device continuously passing through a central hole that continuously passes through the first male extension, the male central disk and the second male extension, a reflector that is in a direct physical contact with a first end of the electromagnetic guiding device that ends at a top surface of the first male extension, and a holder that covers the first male extension to hold the reflector, and maintain the physical contact between the first end of the electromagnetic guiding device and the reflector.