Round-Trip Autoclave Sampling Device for Pressure Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sampling techniques fail to maintain realistic representations of geological samples due to irreversible transformations during sampling, particularly in environments with changing pressure and temperature conditions, making them unsuitable for research on gas hydrates and CO2 storage investigations.
Innovation Solution
The development of a 'round-trip autoclave sampling device' that maintains in-situ conditions by using a pressure chamber module with a triggering and pressure regulation system, allowing for the collection of undisturbed samples with minimal contamination through a two-stage sampling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sampling techniques are used, then sampling can be performed with simple equipment, but the samples undergo irreversible transformations and lose their original environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device is divided into distinct functional modules: a sampling module for obtaining the sample, a pressure chamber module for maintaining pressure conditions, and a lifting module for sample retrieval. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while working together to preserve sample integrity without requiring excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure chamber module acts as an intermediary between the sampling environment and the external atmosphere. This pressure chamber maintains the in-situ pressure conditions during sample retrieval, preventing irreversible transformations that would occur with direct exposure to atmospheric pressure, thus ensuring sample reliability.
2Reliability
If pressure is maintained during sampling, then sample integrity is preserved, but the device requires complex pressure regulation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber module is pre-configured with pressure regulation capabilities before sampling begins. By establishing the pressure maintenance system in advance, the device can transition smoothly into pressure-controlled sampling without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the critical sampling moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure chamber module serves multiple functions: it maintains pressure during sampling, provides a sealed environment for sample storage, and facilitates sample retrieval. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable pressure maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If in-situ conditions are maintained, then accurate geological analysis is possible, but sampling time and procedure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device maintains continuous pressure control throughout the entire sampling and retrieval process. By eliminating interruptions in pressure maintenance, the device ensures that samples remain in their original environmental conditions from collection to analysis, thereby preserving measurement precision without requiring repeated conditioning cycles that would increase sampling time.
4Quantity of substance
If sample volume is increased, then more comprehensive analysis is possible, but the device requires larger and more complex equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device employs a nested structure where the sampling module is positioned within the pressure chamber module, which in turn is integrated with the lifting module. This nesting allows the device to achieve a larger effective sample capacity while maintaining a compact overall form factor, avoiding the need for proportionally larger and more complex 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
Enables the collection of pressure-tight, undisturbed samples that preserve the original environmental conditions, allowing for more accurate analysis and increased sample volume, overcoming limitations of existing methods like the wireline method.
Implementation Method 1
The lifting module (HBM1, HBM2) represents a store of energy which is triggered by the triggering module (AM1, AM2, AM3) after the drilling stroke has been completed, wherein the sample (P) is lifted into a pressure chamber (DKM) in a sample stroke
Implementation Method 2
a pressure regulation module (AK1, AK2) which, after the closing or already during the closing of the sealing elements (DKM-1, DKM-2) of the sampling device (1), is coupled to the pressure chamber module (DKM) and is designed to release a pressurized fluid held in a lifting rod (V) of the lifting module (HBM1, HBM2)
Implementation Method 3
The pressure chamber module (DKM) is closed by sealing elements (DKM-1, DKM-2) belonging to the pressure chamber module (DKM), after the sample (P) has been drilled and lifted into the pressure chamber module (DKM)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 1F~1I
Figure 1I-1
AI summary
The invention relates to a round-trip autoclave sample-extracting device (1) for extracting a sample (P) at a sample extraction location of a geological formation, said device comprising a self-closing pressure chamber module (DKM) for receiving the sample (P). The pressure chamber module (DKM) is connected to a lifting module (HMB1, HBM2) in order to lift the sample (P) into the pressure chamber module (DKM) in one sampling stroke (Deltaz2). The round-trip autoclave sample-extracting device (1) has a triggering module (AM1, AM2, AM3) and a pressure regulating module (AK1, AK2), said triggering module (AM1, AM2, AM3) acting on the lifting module (HMB1, HBM2) in order to trigger the sampling stroke (Deltaz2), and the pressure regulating module (AK1, AK2) is coupled to the pressure chamber module (DKM) at least on the pressure side after the sampling stroke (Deltaz2) in order to influence a pressure in the pressure chamber module (DKM). Furthermore, a round-trip method is proposed which includes a first trip (VS1, VS2) and at least one second trip (VS3 to VS10) for extracting a sample (P) while maintaining a pressure that is present at the sample extraction location. The corresponding method steps are described in the patent application in a detailed manner.