Shaker Control via Cuttings Imaging for Solids Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solids control equipment in wellbore drilling systems is inefficient in removing unwanted solids and particulates, often passing contaminants back into the drilling fluid or removing valuable additives, due to inadequate tuning of shaker screens which struggle to handle fluctuating drilling fluid properties and conditions.

Innovation Solution

An imaging system coupled with an automated control system monitors drill cuttings density and size distribution, adjusting shaker operational parameters such as inclination angle, vibration amplitude and frequency, and screen size to optimize solids separation, ensuring efficient cleaning of drilling fluids and maintaining proper operating levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shaker screens are used to separate drill cuttings from drilling fluid, then solids separation is achieved, but the equipment is inefficient in removing unwanted solids and often passes contaminants back into the drilling fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolids separation efficiencyVSAvoidcontaminant passage back into drilling fluid

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shaker screen system employs adjustable operational parameters including vibration amplitude, vibration frequency, and screen inclination angle that can be dynamically modified based on processed drill cuttings data. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to fluctuating drilling fluid properties and optimize separation efficiency while preventing contaminant passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

An automated control system receives processed drill cuttings data from imaging systems and uses this feedback to automatically modify shaker operational parameters. The feedback loop enables real-time optimization of the separation process, ensuring contaminants are effectively removed while maintaining drilling fluid quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If shaker screens operate with fixed parameters, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but the system struggles to handle fluctuating drilling fluid properties and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of fluctuating drilling fluid propertiesVSAvoidautomated control and monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses imaging systems to automatically detect and analyze drill cuttings characteristics, and the automated control system self-adjusts operational parameters based on this data. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to fluctuating drilling conditions without requiring constant manual intervention, balancing adaptability with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual adjustment of shaker parameters is replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses imaging data to automatically modify operational settings. This substitution of mechanical/manual adjustment with automated control enhances adaptability while managing system complexity through integrated software control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional solids control equipment is used, then basic separation function is provided, but drilling fluid quality deteriorates and valuable additives are removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling fluid cleaning capabilityVSAvoidvaluable drilling fluid additives

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system modifies operational parameters such as vibration amplitude, frequency, and screen inclination angle based on real-time analysis of drill cuttings data. These parameter changes optimize the separation process to achieve higher cleaning precision while selectively separating contaminants from valuable drilling fluid additives, preventing unnecessary loss of substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enhances the efficiency of solids control equipment, reducing costs by maintaining drilling fluid quality and preventing contamination, while ensuring effective separation of waste from reusable materials.

Implementation Method 1

modifying one or more operational parameters of the shaker, such as by altering its inclination angle, the vibration amplitude and/or frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10633941B2Shaker control and optimization

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Monitoring drill cuttings suspended within a drilling fluid with one or more cuttings detection devices as the drill cuttings traverse one or more shaker screens of a shaker. Drill cuttings data of the drill cuttings is then generated with the one or more cuttings detection devices. Analyzing and processing the drill cuttings data with one or more processors included in a data acquisition system and thereby generating processed drill cuttings data. The processed drill cuttings data is indicative of at least one of a cuttings size distribution and a density of the drill cuttings. One or more operational parameters of the shaker may then be modified based on the processed drill cuttings data.