Triboelectric Energy Harvesting in Pipe-in-Pipe Drill Strings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current downhole drilling technologies face challenges with power generation due to the limitations of disposable lithium thionyl chloride batteries, which can explode at high temperatures and have limited lifespan, and turbines that are affected by reduced drilling fluid flow, leading to inadequate power for real-time data acquisition and transmission during drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

A self-powered sensing module (SPSM) that harnesses rotational energy from the drill string using triboelectric energy harvesters, generating electricity through friction between materials with opposed electron affinities, enabling continuous power for downhole sensors and instrumentation without the need for batteries or turbines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disposable lithium thionyl chloride battery packs are used to power MWD/LWD tools, then the tools can obtain real-time data while drilling, but the batteries may explode at high temperatures and have limited lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidtemperature effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the battery component entirely from the downhole tool system and replaces it with an energy harvesting mechanism that converts mechanical energy from drilling operations into electrical energy, thereby extracting the harmful temperature-dependent battery chemistry from the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system harnesses energy from the drilling process itself (rotation and fluid flow) to power the tools, making the system self-powered and eliminating dependence on external battery packs that are vulnerable to temperature and lifespan limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If turbines are used to generate power from drilling fluid flow, then the tools can be powered during drilling operations, but reduced fluid flow leads to reduced power generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoiddrilling fluid flow

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple energy harvesting mechanisms (rotational turbines and reciprocating pistons) that can dynamically adapt to varying flow conditions, ensuring continuous power generation across different drilling scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines different energy harvesting technologies (rotational and reciprocating mechanisms) into a hybrid power generation system, leveraging the strengths of each mechanism to maintain power output under varying flow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If wireline tools are used for downhole logging, then sensors can be powered through a wired power line, but the drill string has to be pulled out of the wellbore before running the wireline tool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmissionVSAvoiddrilling continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired power transmission system with an energy harvesting system that converts mechanical energy from the drilling process into electrical energy, enabling continuous operation without interrupting drilling to insert wireline tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 SPSM provides reliable, long-lasting power for real-time data acquisition and transmission, overcoming temperature and flow-related issues, enabling efficient drilling operations and real-time monitoring of downhole conditions, and facilitating the use of advanced technologies like big data analytics and AI.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of triboelectric energy harvesters positioned to generate electrical charges by triboelectric effect when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectric effect: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11421513B2Triboelectric energy harvesting with pipe-in-pipe structure

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

An apparatus includes an outer structure body having a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The inner structure body has a central bore. Movable elements are positioned along the inner surface and movably coupled to the outer structure body. Ball elements are positioned along the outer surface and coupled to the inner structure body for movement with the inner structure body. The ball elements are positioned to releasably contact and impart motion to the movable elements in response to relative motion between the inner structure body and the outer structure body. A plurality of triboelectric energy harvesters are positioned to generate electrical charges when motion is imparted to the movable elements by the ball elements.