Walking Beam Gravity Storage for Efficient Artificial Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial lift systems in the oil production industry, such as pump jacks, are energy-inefficient, costly to maintain, and require extensive electrical infrastructure, with energy efficiency ranging from 12% to 23% and significant environmental impact due to large size and remote location requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing walking beams, counterweights, and solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) to generate and store electrical energy through gravitational energy conversion, achieving high round-trip efficiency and reducing the need for large electric motors and complex mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional pump jacks with large electric motors are used for artificial lift, then oil extraction can be achieved, but energy efficiency is poor (12%-23%) and environmental impact is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweights to balance the reciprocating motion of the pump jack system. The counterweights offset the weight of the rod string and fluid column, reducing the energy required by the prime mover to lift the load during the upstroke. This directly addresses the energy efficiency problem by minimizing the work needed against gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic reciprocating motion inherent in pump jack operation, converting the continuous rotational motion of the prime mover into alternating lifting and lowering cycles. This periodic action allows the system to store and release energy rhythmically, improving overall efficiency by utilizing the weight of the rod string and fluid during the downstroke to assist in the next upstroke.
2Productivity
If pump jacks with complex mechanical components are deployed, then oil production can be maintained, but maintenance costs are high and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the counterweight mechanism from the traditional pump jack design, simplifying the mechanical system. By extracting this component, the invention reduces the number of moving parts that require maintenance while maintaining operational reliability through the simplified mechanical architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the pump jack system to utilize its own weight and the weight of the rod string as counterweights, making the system self-balancing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate counterweight mechanisms, reducing maintenance requirements and improving reliability while maintaining oil production capability.
3Productivity
If conventional artificial lift systems are used in remote locations, then oil extraction can occur, but infrastructure requirements are extensive and operational costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the pump jack system to balance itself using its own components, eliminating the need for external counterweight systems and complex mechanical linkages. This self-service design reduces infrastructure requirements and simplifies installation in remote locations while maintaining oil extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a simplified pump jack system that can be deployed in various locations including remote areas, serving multiple functions with fewer components. The universal design allows the same basic structure to operate effectively across different sites without requiring extensive site-specific infrastructure.
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 over 90% round-trip efficiency and enables long-duration energy storage with reduced environmental impact and lower operational costs, using solar energy for artificial fluid lift with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The up and down movement of the walking beam is converted into a rotational movement via the rack and pinion arrangement to capture an alternately falling force of the counterweights, thereby rotating the flywheel
Implementation Method 2
The solar panels are attached to the top of the EV chassis and are configured to charge the battery unit coupled to the EV chassis
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating, leveraging, and storing electrical energy are disclosed. The system comprises one or more walking beams having a track and at least two protective end stops located on opposite ends of the track. A plurality of counterweights is attached to the walking beams, adjacent the axle, via one or more connecting rods. An electric vehicle (EV) chassis is positioned on top of the track and allows back-and-forth movement. The back-and-forth movement makes the walking beam move up and down, which then converts into rotational movement of a flywheel via a rack and pinion arrangement, capturing an alternately falling force of counterweights, thereby rotating the flywheel for generating constant electrical output. Further, an apparatus is adapted for generating artificial fluid lift by utilizing back and-forth movement of the EV chassis.