Wellsite Packet Handling System with Soluble Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellsite operations face challenges in efficiently handling and delivering wellsite materials, such as treatment fluids and drilling muds, due to the need for precise control and mixing of soluble packaging materials with fluids to form effective wellsite mixtures for drilling and fracturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising soluble packaging for wellsite materials, a feeder to move these packets into a mixer, a metering device to control packet flow, and a pump to distribute the mixed wellsite mixture, allowing for controlled and efficient delivery of wellsite materials to the wellsite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wellsite materials are delivered in bulk form, then handling efficiency is improved, but precise control of material composition and mixing ratios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments wellsite materials into pre-measured packets containing specific amounts of soluble packaging material and wellsite material. This segmentation allows bulk handling of multiple packets while maintaining precise control of individual material compositions and mixing ratios when the packets are dissolved and mixed at the wellsite.
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-packaged wellsite material packets are used, then material composition precision is improved, but handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional handling system where a single integrated apparatus performs multiple operations: feeding packets, dissolving soluble packaging, mixing materials, and delivering the mixture. This universal system reduces overall handling complexity despite the precision benefits of pre-packaging by consolidating multiple functions into one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The soluble packaging material automatically dissolves when exposed to wellsite fluids, eliminating the need for separate unpacking or dissolution equipment. The packets self-service by utilizing the wellsite environment to release their contents, simplifying the handling system while maintaining composition precision.
3Ease of operation
If soluble packaging material is used, then ease of mixing is improved, but additional dissolution time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by designing the dissolution process to occur simultaneously with the mixing operation. As packets are fed into the mixing chamber, the soluble packaging dissolves and releases materials into the mixture continuously, eliminating separate dissolution and mixing steps and reducing total time required.
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
Enables precise and efficient handling and mixing of wellsite materials, facilitating effective drilling and fracturing operations by ensuring accurate composition and delivery of wellsite mixtures to the wellsite, enhancing the flow of fluids and stability of formations.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one mixer is capable of stimulating dissolution of the soluble packaging so as to mix the wellsite materials with a fluid to form a wellsite mixture
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for handling wellsite packets for a wellsite are provided. The wellsite packets include soluble packaging with wellsite materials therein. The wellsite has surface equipment and downhole equipment positioned about a wellbore. The handling system includes at least one feeder, at least one mixer, at least one metering device, and a pump. The feeder moves the wellsite packets directly or indirectly into the mixer. The mixer stimulates dissolution of the soluble packaging so as to mix the wellsite materials with a fluid to form a wellsite mixture. The metering device selectively controls the number of wellsite packets moving to the mixer. The pump is operatively coupled to the mixer to pump the wellsite mixture at the wellsite.