Thermal-Conduction Fluid Velocity Sensor for Spinner-Free Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional production logging tools face challenges in accurately measuring fluid velocity due to sticky materials that impair spinner performance and require tedious calibration processes, leading to operational failures and inefficiencies, especially in horizontal wells.
Innovation Solution
A fluid velocity sensor using a thermally conductive sphere with multiple internal temperature sensors and a heat source to estimate fluid velocity by measuring temperature distribution and average temperature, minimizing the need for spinner calibration and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spinners are used for fluid velocity measurement, then the measurement can be performed, but the spinner performance is impaired by sticky materials and requires tedious calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spinner system with a thermal conduction-based measurement system. Instead of using mechanical spinners that are impaired by sticky materials, the invention uses a thermally conductive body with temperature sensors that measure fluid velocity through thermal conduction principles, eliminating the mechanical components that require calibration and are susceptible to material adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical rotation (spinner) to thermal conduction properties (temperature distribution). By measuring temperature differences at different radial distances from a heat source in a thermally conductive body, the system determines fluid velocity based on thermal rather than mechanical parameters, avoiding calibration requirements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional spinners are used for fluid velocity measurement, then the measurement can be performed, but operational failures occur due to sticky materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spinner system with a thermal conduction-based measurement system. Instead of using mechanical spinners that are impaired by sticky materials, the invention uses a thermally conductive body with temperature sensors that measure fluid velocity through thermal conduction principles, eliminating the mechanical components that require calibration and are susceptible to material adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical spinner components from the measurement system entirely. By taking out the mechanical elements that are vulnerable to sticky materials, the invention creates a measurement system that relies solely on thermal conduction principles, thereby eliminating the source of operational failures.
3Reliability
If multiple calibration runs are performed to ensure accuracy, then measurement reliability improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spinner system with a thermal conduction-based measurement system. Instead of using mechanical spinners that are impaired by sticky materials, the invention uses a thermally conductive body with temperature sensors that measure fluid velocity through thermal conduction principles, eliminating the mechanical components that require calibration and are susceptible to material adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal conduction measurement system is self-calibrating through its inherent thermal principles. The system uses the natural thermal conduction properties of the fluid and the thermally conductive body to automatically determine velocity without requiring external calibration runs, thereby eliminating time-consuming calibration procedures while maintaining reliability.
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 sensor provides precise fluid flow profiling and reduces operational downtime by overcoming spinner sensitivity issues, enhancing measurement reliability and reducing the number of calibration runs.
Implementation Method 1
fluid velocity estimation, for example, by thermal conduction
Implementation Method 2
a heating element secured within the fluid velocity sensor to heat the thermally conductive body
Implementation Method 3
the velocity of a fluid in contact with the fluid velocity sensor is determined based on a comparison between the first internal temperature and the second internal temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid velocity sensor can include a thermally conductive body comprising a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a third temperature sensor. A heating element is secured within the fluid velocity sensor to heat the thermally conductive body. The first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the third temperature sensor each reside within the thermally conductive body at different radial distances from the heating element. A flowrate of a fluid in contact with the fluid velocity sensor is determined based on a comparison between the internal temperatures measured by each of the first, second, and third temperature sensors.