Swirling Solvent Injector to Prevent Porous Media Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Porous media tends to plug injectors during non-operation due to the material flowing back into the fluid outlet openings, causing processing challenges.
Innovation Solution
The injector is configured with a tangentially arranged inlet and outlet to create a swirling vortex chamber, allowing fluid to rotate and generate a scouring action that prevents plugging by clearing solid material, and the outlet is positioned at a non-perpendicular angle to minimize backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional well stimulation methods (acidizing, fracturing) are used to improve fluid flow in porous media, then permeability is enhanced, but harmful chemicals are introduced into the formation and high equipment costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical acidizing methods with a mechanical injection system that uses a syringe-like injector to physically introduce stimulation fluid into the formation. This mechanical approach eliminates the need for harsh chemical acids while achieving similar permeability enhancement through controlled fluid injection and bubble formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a biocompatible surfactant as an intermediary substance that reduces surface tension and facilitates fluid flow through the formation without causing harmful effects. The surfactant acts as a mediator between the injection fluid and the porous media, enabling effective stimulation while avoiding the introduction of harmful chemicals.
2Stress or pressure
If high pressure injection is used to deliver fluid into low permeability formations, then injection capability is improved, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the injection system into discrete, modular components including a syringe barrel, plunger, needle assembly, and connector elements. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components that can be easily assembled and sterilized, reducing overall equipment complexity while maintaining the capability to generate high injection pressures through manual or mechanical actuation of the plunger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a syringe-based injection mechanism that replicates the simple, well-understood mechanics of conventional syringes. By copying this familiar device architecture, the system achieves high pressure injection capability without requiring complex specialized equipment, leveraging the proven simplicity and effectiveness of syringe mechanics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing injection devices are used, then device availability is maintained, but they lack adaptability for viscous fluids and precise depth control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamically adjustable needle assembly that can be extended or retracted along the injection axis, allowing adaptation to different fluid viscosities and injection depths. The system can transition between different operational states (retracted for low viscosity, extended for high viscosity) to maintain versatility without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The injector device is designed with universal adaptability to handle various fluid types including low viscosity solutions and high viscosity gels. The standardized syringe architecture with adjustable needle length and surfactant-compatible materials enables the single device to perform multiple functions across different application scenarios, eliminating the need for separate specialized 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
The injector effectively prevents plugging during startup, shutdown, and low-flow conditions by fluidizing solid material and clearing any accumulated solids, ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
The porous plug is made from a material that reduces the surface tension of fluids that pass through it, such as a hydrophilic porous material
Implementation Method 2
As the fluid passes through the porous plug, bubbles are created that can help mechanically open up closed-off pores in the formation being injected
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid extractor may include an extraction chamber containing a bed deck configured to support a solid material as the solid material is conveyed through the extraction chamber. To introduce solvent into the solid material being processed, the extractor may include a solvent injection orifice extending through the bed deck and a solvent injector. The solvent injector can receive solvent from a source and cause the solvent to rotate within the solvent injector before discharging the solvent through an outlet in fluid communication with the solvent injection orifice. The rotational flow motion imparted by the injector can create a vortex that functions to scout out any particles that may be present in the injector.