Rigid Mold Curing Cement Samples Under High Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing cement compositions under simulated well conditions are limited by the need to unload samples to atmospheric pressure and temperature, leading to sample damage and inaccurate measurements, and often restrict testing to unconventional geometries or specific types of mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a rigid mold for curing and testing cement samples, allowing controlled pressure and temperature conditions without unloading, with options for flexible measurement configurations to perform oedometric, uniaxial, or triaxial tests, and enabling measurements of various physical and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If samples are unloaded to atmospheric pressure and temperature for measurement, then measurement apparatus accessibility is improved, but sample damage occurs and measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the sample inside a pressure vessel that is itself contained within a measurement apparatus. The pressure vessel acts as a nested container that maintains high pressure conditions while allowing the measurement apparatus to access and measure sample properties without requiring sample removal or unloading to atmospheric pressure.
2Reliability
If static mechanical tests are performed without unloading, then sample integrity is maintained, but measurement apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure vessel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains high pressure conditions during testing, provides a containment structure for the sample, acts as a window or sensor mounting structure for measurements, and serves as the structural framework for applying mechanical loads. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure vessel acts as an intermediary structure between the measurement apparatus and the sample. It allows the measurement apparatus to interact with the sample while maintaining the high pressure environment, mediating between the need for sample integrity and the requirements of the measurement system.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional test geometries are used, then measurement standardization is improved, but applicability to well bottom conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating test geometries and loading conditions that specifically match the local stress state at well bottom conditions. Instead of using uniform conventional geometries, the sample configuration and loading arrangements are tailored to replicate the specific combination of confining pressure and axial stress encountered in oil wells, making the test results directly applicable to well integrity assessment.
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 accurate and undisturbed testing of cement samples under simulated well conditions, maintaining sample shape and geometry, and allowing comprehensive measurements of mechanical, hydraulic, and physico-chemical properties without the limitations of previous techniques.
Implementation Method 1
Hydration of the cement particles leads the liquid slurry towards a solid state, characterized by the existence of a backbone and pores
Implementation Method 2
measuring at least one physical or mechanical property of the cured sample at a controlled test pressure, in the mold
Implementation Method 3
the mold being rigid with respect to the cured sample during the curing step
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing a curing composition, comprising includes a curing composition; injecting the curing composition into a mold; curing the curing composition into a cured composition, in the mold at a controlled curing pressure; measuring at least one physical or mechanical property of the cured sample at a controlled test pressure, in the mold; the mold being rigid relatively to the cured sample during the curing step.