Multi-Firing Swivel Head Probe for Electro-Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fracking methods using chemical explosives are inefficient, environmentally problematic, and lack control over plasma blast direction and reusability, leading to single-dimensional crack propagation and significant downtime for subsequent explosive placement.
Innovation Solution
A plasma blasting system with a multi-firing swivel head probe that includes a capacitor assembly with adjustable electrodes and a thermally insulative compound, allowing for precise control over plasma blasts and multiple blasts in a short period, utilizing a high voltage transmission cable and dielectric separators to optimize energy deposition and fracture volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical explosives are used for fracking, then single-dimensional crack propagation is achieved, but significant downtime is required for subsequent explosive placement and environmental contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical explosives with an electro-hydraulic system that uses electrical discharge through a fluid medium to generate plasma and shock waves. This substitution eliminates the need for physical explosive placement and handling, allowing for rapid sequential firing of multiple holes without the downtime associated with loading and detonating chemical charges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of energy delivery from chemical reaction to electrical discharge. By controlling electrical parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration) and fluid pressure, the system achieves crack propagation without the logistical constraints of chemical explosives, enabling faster operation and reduced environmental impact.
2Strength
If chemical explosives are used for fracking, then fracture is achieved, but environmental contamination of water supplies occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical explosives with an electro-hydraulic plasma system that fractures rock through controlled electrical discharge and plasma formation in a fluid medium. This eliminates the use of toxic chemicals and explosive residues that contaminate water supplies, while maintaining effective rock fracture capability through the mechanical stress of plasma expansion and shock wave generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an electrically conductive fluid medium (such as water or electrolyte solution) as the environment for energy transfer. This inert-like medium contains the electrical discharge and plasma formation, preventing harmful chemical reactions with surrounding rock and water supplies, while effectively transmitting the fracturing energy to the target formation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If plasma blasting is used for fracking, then environmental impact is reduced, but plasma blast direction control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple independently controllable electrodes positioned at different locations and orientations within the borehole. Each electrode can be fired independently or in sequence, allowing localized control of plasma blast direction. By selectively activating specific electrodes or adjusting their firing parameters, the system achieves precise directional control while maintaining the environmental benefits of electro-hydraulic fracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where electrode positioning, orientation, and firing parameters can be adjusted in real-time based on formation characteristics and desired fracture patterns. This dynamic adaptability enables operators to optimize plasma blast direction for each specific geological condition, overcoming the limitation of fixed-direction plasma blasting.
4Productivity
If plasma blasting is used for fracking, then single use method is avoided, but plasma spark direction control and shock wave aiming are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fracturing operation into multiple discrete, independently controllable electrode elements within the probe assembly. Each electrode segment can be fired individually or in coordinated sequences, allowing precise control over shock wave direction and fracture propagation. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both reusability and directional control by selectively activating different electrode segments for different fracture stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-hydraulic probe assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple fracking operations in the same borehole without removal or reconfiguration. The universal electrode array can create fractures in various directions and at different depths by adjusting which electrodes are activated, making the system both reusable and adaptable to different fracture patterns without requiring precise pre-planning of shock wave trajectories.
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 achieves multi-dimensional crack propagation, reduces liquid usage and environmental impact, and enables repetitive blasts, increasing fracture volume and length while minimizing contamination of water supplies.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor bank is charged over a relatively long period of time at a low current, and then discharged in a very short pulse at a very high current into a blasting probe comprised of two or more electrodes immersed in a fluid media. The fluid media is in direct contact with the borehole wall to be fractured.
Implementation Method 2
discharged in a very short pulse at a very high current into a blasting probe comprised of two or more electrodes immersed in a fluid media
Implementation Method 3
The capacitor assembly could also include a thermally insulative compound
Implementation Method 4
at least two of the electrodes are separated by an insulator
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a borehole for water, oil or gas extraction, an in hole capacitor bank for powering a blast probe, the probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by an insulator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the insulator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises water. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast.