Superconducting Drilling Cable With Cryogenic Cooling for Low-Loss Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drilling operations face limitations in power delivery to bottom hole assemblies due to high cable impedance and power losses, which hinder the efficiency of pulsed power drilling operations, particularly in power drilling operations, especially in pulsed power drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing high temperature superconducting cables to deliver power to the bottom hole assemblies, which are capable of carrying larger amounts of electrical current within a smaller physical size, reducing cable conduction losses by approximately 2 orders of magnitude and maintaining the superconducting material below its critical temperature using cryogenic liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional power cables are used to supply power to the bottom hole assembly, then the cable structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cable impedance is high and power losses are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter of the cable by using superconducting materials with zero electrical resistance at cryogenic temperatures, thereby eliminating cable conduction losses and impedance issues while maintaining cable functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite cable structures combining superconducting materials with conventional materials, creating a hybrid cable system that leverages the advantages of both material types to achieve low loss power transmission
2Power
If conventional power cables are used to supply power to the bottom hole assembly, then the cable design is straightforward, but the power delivery capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter to zero by using superconducting materials, enabling dramatically higher power delivery capacity without increasing cable size or complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional electrical conduction to a different physical regime (superconductivity) at cryogenic temperatures, effectively adding a thermal dimension control mechanism to achieve enhanced power transmission
3Loss of energy
If high temperature superconducting cables are used to deliver power, then power losses are reduced significantly, but the cable requires cryogenic cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power transmission function with the cooling function by integrating cryogenic liquid flow channels directly into the cable structure, allowing simultaneous power delivery and temperature maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryogenic liquid as an intermediary substance that serves dual purposes: cooling the superconducting material to maintain zero resistance and potentially serving as part of the power transmission medium
4Productivity
If conventional cables are used, then the system is easy to operate, but the drilling operation efficiency is reduced due to power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter to enable high-power pulsed drilling operations, dramatically improving drilling efficiency and rate of penetration through enhanced power delivery to the bottom hole assembly
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 high temperature superconducting cables enable efficient power delivery to the bottom hole assembly, reducing power losses and enabling longer and more efficient drilling operations, such as pulsed power drilling, by maintaining consistent high voltage DC power delivery.
Implementation Method 1
one or more high temperature superconducting cables configured to supply power from surface to a bottom hole assembly positioned in a wellbore
Implementation Method 2
one or more cryogenic liquid supply channels positioned within the one or more high temperature superconducting cables, wherein fluid is pumped, via one or more cryogenic pumps, into the one or more cryogenic liquid supply channels to keep a temperature of the one or more high temperature superconducting cables below a critical temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises one or more high temperature superconducting cables configured to supply power from surface to a bottom hole assembly positioned in a wellbore while drilling the wellbore in a subsurface formation. The apparatus comprises one or more cryogenic liquid supply channels positioned within the one or more high temperature superconducting cables, wherein fluid is pumped, via one or more cryogenic pumps, into the one or more cryogenic liquid supply channels to keep a temperature of the one or more high temperature superconducting cables below a critical temperature.