Vacuum Containers with Pierceable Septums for Reliable Drilling Gas Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing and analyzing gases extracted from drilling mud during oil and gas drilling operations are inefficient and lack a standardized, effective process for sampling and analysis, which is crucial for understanding well conditions and reservoir evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving containers with a pierceable septum and vacuum creation, allowing for efficient sampling and analysis of drilling mud gases using a multi-vial evacuator and gas distribution system, enabling multiple analyses through reversible septum piercing and airtight sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standardized sampling method is implemented, then sampling quality and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into separate functional modules: containers with septums for individual sample collection, a multi-vial evacuator for vacuum creation, and a gas distribution system for controlled filling. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
Containers are pre-prepared with pierceable septums and evacuated to vacuum conditions before actual sampling occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when sampling is needed, the containers are ready to receive gas samples immediately, improving sampling reliability and reducing on-site complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple analyses are enabled through reusable containers, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A pierceable septum made of flexible material (such as butyl rubber or polytetrafluoroethylene) is used to seal the container opening. This thin film structure allows needles to pierce through for gas extraction while maintaining an airtight seal, enabling multiple analyses without compromising seal integrity or requiring high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The septum material properties are selected to balance puncture resistance with seal maintenance. The material undergoes controlled deformation during piercing but returns to its original state, maintaining the airtight seal. This parameter optimization allows repeated piercing operations while preserving container integrity.
3Productivity
If vacuum evacuation is applied to multiple containers, then sampling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple container evacuation functions are merged into a single multi-vial evacuator device. This unified system can create vacuum in multiple containers simultaneously or sequentially through a single vacuum pump and manifold, improving sampling efficiency while avoiding the need for separate evacuation equipment for each container.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-vial evacuator is designed to serve multiple containers through a universal interface system with multiple extraction sites. Each site can connect to a container with a pierceable septum, allowing the same evacuation device to process numerous samples without requiring redesign or additional 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
Facilitates high-quality sampling and analysis of drilling mud gases, maintaining seal integrity for extended periods, allowing multiple analyses and providing detailed compositional and isotopic data for well evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
creating a vacuum inside the plurality of containers
Implementation Method 2
the pierceable septum is suitably constructed so as to reversibly deform when pierced
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the management of a gas, the method comprising: providing a plurality of containers, each container comprising a body with an opening, a cap designed to cover the opening, the cap providing a suitable seat for a pierceable septum, and a pierceable septum; creating a vacuum inside the plurality of containers, said vacuum created through the pierceable septum, said pierceable septum configured to maintain a substantially airtight seal before and after a piercing operation; attaching at least one of said plurality of containers to a sampling device; filling said at least one container with a sampling gas provided by the sampling device by means of the pierceable septum.