Swellable Packer Ion Filtration System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Swellable packers used in downhole environments are affected by monovalent and polyvalent cations in aqueous fluids, leading to reduced swelling and accelerated degradation, which hinders their sealing efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A swellable system incorporating a filter material that removes ions from the fluid flow before they interact with the swellable material, utilizing graphene-based compounds and functional groups to capture and neutralize ions, ensuring effective ion filtration and maintaining the swelling efficiency of the packer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If swellable packer is deployed in downhole environment with aqueous fluids containing ions, then the packer can be placed in smaller borehole locations, but the swelling amount and rate decrease and degradation accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveborehole location adaptabilityVSAvoidswelling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A filter material is introduced as an intermediary component between the downhole fluid and the swellable packer. This filter material selectively removes ions from the fluid before the fluid contacts the swellable material, thereby mediating the interaction to prevent ion-induced degradation while maintaining the packer's ability to swell and seal in various borehole configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful ions are extracted or removed from the downhole fluid through the filter material before the fluid reaches the swellable packer. This extraction process isolates the swellable material from the detrimental ionic environment, preserving its swelling performance and longevity while allowing deployment in diverse borehole locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If swellable packer is exposed to monovalent and polyvalent cations, then deployment flexibility increases, but swelling rate and amount are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidswelling rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The filter material serves as a protective intermediary that selectively removes monovalent and polyvalent cations from the downhole fluid. This mediation allows the swellable packer to maintain its high swelling rate and amount by preventing direct contact with cations, while still enabling flexible deployment in various borehole locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter material performs preliminary action by removing harmful cations from the fluid before the fluid contacts the swellable packer. This pre-filtration ensures that when the swellable material is exposed to the fluid, it can swell at its maximum rate and extent without ion interference, preserving deployment flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If swellable packer contacts aqueous fluids with ions, then sealing capability is achieved, but packer degradation accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidpacker longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter material acts as a protective intermediary that removes ions from the downhole fluid before contact with the swellable packer. This mediation preserves the packer's sealing capability by enabling effective swelling while simultaneously protecting against ion-induced degradation, thereby extending packer longevity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter material converts the potentially harmful ionic environment into a beneficial protected environment. By removing ions that would otherwise cause degradation, the system transforms the downhole fluid from a harmful agent into a benign medium that allows the swellable packer to maintain its sealing capability over extended periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system effectively prevents ion interference, enhancing the swelling rate and longevity of the swellable material, thereby improving the sealing performance and reliability of downhole tools.

Implementation Method 1

a filter material disposed with the swellable material and operatively arranged to remove the ions from the flow of fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

an article including a swellable material operatively arranged to swell upon exposure to a flow of fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9284812B2System for increasing swelling efficiency

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A swellable system reactive to a flow of fluid including an article having a swellable material operatively arranged to swell upon exposure to a flow of fluid containing ions therein. A filter material is disposed with the swellable material and operatively arranged to remove the ions from the flow of fluid before exposure to the swellable material.