Water Detection in Drilling Material Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively detect low water content in material flows during drilling, leading to filter blocking and frequent filter changes, as they are not sensitive enough to distinguish water from other changes in rock formations like density or stone character.
Innovation Solution
An arrangement comprising a control unit, data acquisition unit, and sensor with probes connected to a programmable voltage source and receiver, measuring complex impedance at pre-determined frequencies and determining standard deviations to detect water presence by exceeding a threshold condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase measurement methods are used to detect water in material flow, then measurement capability is provided, but detection sensitivity is insufficient for low water contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from phase difference (bulk dielectric behavior) to amplitude difference (local dielectric behavior). By measuring the amplitude difference between signals received by antennas at different positions, the system can detect local water content changes with much higher sensitivity, enabling detection at water content levels as low as 0.1-0.5% instead of requiring higher water contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a signal processing intermediary that compares amplitude differences between multiple receiving antennas. Instead of directly measuring bulk phase properties, the system uses amplitude comparison as an intermediary measurement that is more sensitive to local water content variations, particularly bound water on particle surfaces.
2Extent of automation
If automated water detection is implemented, then tele commanding capability is enabled, but detection reliability is insufficient due to interference from rock formation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement into multiple independent antenna pairs, each providing a separate amplitude difference measurement. By comparing results from multiple segments (antenna pairs), the system can distinguish true water detection signals from random variations caused by rock formation changes, thereby improving reliability for automated detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through continuous monitoring and comparison of amplitude differences from multiple antenna pairs. The system uses the collective information from all antenna segments to confirm water detection, providing feedback that filters out false positives from rock formation variations and improves overall detection reliability for automated control.
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
Enhances water detection performance, reducing filter wear and tear, and minimizing frequent filter changes by accurately identifying water content in material flows during drilling.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a ratio between a received voltage and an applied voltage for a set of pre-determined frequencies. The arrangement is further configured to determine a set of complex impedance between the at least two probes for each of the pre-determined set of frequencies
Implementation Method 2
The method is based on a measurement of a complex dielectric constant of the multi-component mixture, which complex dielectric constant is determined by measuring a wave phase constant of a plane electromagnetic wave propagating near the inside wall of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangement for detecting water in a material flow during drilling, wherein the arrangement includes a control unit, a data acquisition unit and a sensor, wherein the sensor includes at least two probes, wherein the at least two probes are to be arranged in contact with the material flow and are connected to a programmable voltage source and a programmable voltage receiver. The arrangement is configured to measure a ratio between a received voltage waveform and an applied voltage waveform for a set of pre-determined frequencies; determine a complex impedance between the at least two probes for each of the pre-determined frequencies, based on the measured ratio; and determine a set of time mean values of the determined complex impedance for each of the pre-determined frequencies, using a time window.