Textured Wetted Plate Flow Cell for Fracturing Simulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for understanding hydraulic fracturing, proppant flow, and fracture closure dynamics in subterranean formations are limited by the inability to visually observe these processes due to the opacity of rock and the remote location of subterranean formations, leading to expensive and time-consuming approaches with limited applicability.

Innovation Solution

A test cell apparatus with textured wetted plates and an illuminator system that simulates the flow of treatment fluids through a fracture, allowing for visual inspection of fluid patterns and proppant behavior, using doped acrylic panels and adjustable spacers to withstand high pressures and mimic the surface roughness of rock formations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If thick acrylic plates are used for viewing ports and flow surface, then structural integrity and pressure containment are improved, but cost increases and wall deflection becomes visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure containmentVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the viewing function from the pressure containment function by using separate components: thin transparent plates for viewing and a rigid frame structure for pressure containment. This allows each component to be optimized independently - thin plates reduce cost and deflection while the frame provides structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rigid frame structure acts as an intermediary between the thin transparent viewing plates and the external environment. The frame absorbs and distributes pressure loads, protecting the thin plates from direct stress while maintaining the integrity of the pressure containment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If thin acrylic plates are used for viewing ports, then cost is reduced and wall deflection is minimized, but structural integrity and pressure containment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidpressure containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the viewing function from the pressure containment function by using separate components: thin transparent plates for viewing and a rigid frame structure for pressure containment. This allows each component to be optimized independently - thin plates reduce cost and deflection while the frame provides structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rigid frame structure acts as an intermediary between the thin transparent viewing plates and the external environment. The frame absorbs and distributes pressure loads, protecting the thin plates from direct stress while maintaining the integrity of the pressure containment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If smooth wall surfaces are used in the flow cell, then manufacturing is simplified, but realistic simulation of rock fracture surfaces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsimulation realism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies different surface qualities to different regions: the internal flow cell walls remain smooth for manufacturing simplicity, while the external contacting surfaces of the rock blocks are textured to simulate realistic rock fracture surfaces. This localized texturing provides simulation realism without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The external surfaces of the rock blocks are textured to copy or replicate the roughness and characteristics of actual rock fracture surfaces. This allows realistic simulation of rock-proppant interactions while maintaining simple smooth internal walls for ease of manufacture and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Enables detailed laboratory-scale simulation of fracturing processes without subterranean formation core samples, providing improved understanding of fracturing mechanics, proppant flow, and fracture closure dynamics, while maintaining structural integrity and allowing for adjustable pressure and temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

An illuminator is disposed between the second textured wetted plate and the second exterior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9733192B2Slot flow cell

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Apparatus include a test cell body having a first exterior surface, a second exterior surface, a cavity extending between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, and a first textured wetted plate and a second textured wetted plate disposed within the cavity. A fluid flow gap is defined between the first textured wetted plate and the second textured wetted plate. An illuminator is disposed between the second textured wetted plate and the second exterior surface, and a viewing window formed within the first exterior surface. The first textured wetted plate and the second textured wetted plate may be transparent.