Selective Flow Impeding Material for Downhole Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflow control devices in downhole completions only partially reduce the flow of undesirable fluids, such as water or brine, which limits the production of desirable fluids like hydrocarbons.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device with a selective flow impeding material that has a surface energy less than the fluid or is wettable by desirable components but not by undesirable components, effectively impeding the flow of undesirable fluids more than desirable fluids by creating a higher pressure drop when the fluid composition changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional inflow control devices are used, then some reduction in undesirable fluid flow is achieved, but the reduction is only partial and desirable fluid production is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the flow path material to be lower than that of the undesirable fluid. This parameter change causes the undesirable fluid to form droplets and experience higher capillary pressure, significantly reducing its flow while allowing desirable fluids to pass through with minimal restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials with specific pore size distributions in the flow path. The porous structure, combined with low surface energy coating, creates capillary pressure that selectively impedes undesirable fluids based on their surface tension properties, enabling partial blockage of harmful fluid flow while maintaining productivity for desirable fluids.
2Stress or pressure
If material with low surface energy is used to impede undesirable fluid, then pressure drop increases for undesirable components, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex mechanical components, the patent changes the surface energy parameter of the existing flow path material. This simple parameter modification creates the desired pressure drop effect through capillary pressure differences, avoiding increased device complexity while achieving selective fluid impedance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical flow control mechanisms with a surface energy-based passive control system. The low surface energy material automatically generates capillary pressure to impede undesirable fluids without requiring moving parts, valves, or complex mechanical structures, thereby maintaining device simplicity.
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 passively and automatically increases pressure drop and reduces flow rates for fluids with higher percentages of undesirable components, enhancing the production of desirable fluids by effectively restricting undesirable fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
a material at least partially defining the flow path, the material operatively arranged with a surface energy less than that of the fluid for passively impeding an undesirable component of the fluid more than a desirable component of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
the material operatively arranged with a surface energy less than that of the fluid for passively impeding an undesirable component of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
the material operatively arranged to be wettable by a desirable component of the fluid and not wettable by an undesirable component of the fluid for passively impeding an undesirable component of the fluid more than a desirable component of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control device and a method of controlling a flow, the flow control device including a flow path for a fluid therethrough and a material at least partially defining the flow path, the material operatively arranged with a surface energy less than that of the fluid for passively impeding an undesirable component of the fluid more than a desirable component of the fluid.