Wireless Micro-Sensors in Downhole Cement for Subsurface Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deep subsurface monitoring in downholes poses challenges due to the difficulty in deploying and maintaining micro-sensors effectively, limiting the ability to track and optimize industrial processes and environmental settings.

Innovation Solution

A wireless micro-sensor system is integrated into cement within downholes, utilizing a wireless power transmitter and relay system to activate and transmit data from micro-sensors at various depths, allowing for real-time monitoring without disrupting the cement's integrity or requiring additional drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If micro-sensors are deployed in deep subsurface downholes, then subsurface monitoring capability is improved, but deployment and maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddeployment and maintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical deployment systems with electromagnetic wave-based wireless power transmission and communication. Micro-sensors are activated and controlled remotely via electromagnetic signals transmitted through the cement matrix, eliminating the need for physical access to deep subsurface locations for deployment and maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cement as an intermediary medium that serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables wireless power transmission, facilitates signal propagation, and acts as the embedding matrix for micro-sensors. This intermediary allows remote operation while maintaining sensor functionality in deep subsurface environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wireless power transmission is used to activate micro-sensors, then sensor activation capability is improved, but power transmission loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor activation capabilityVSAvoidpower transmission loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the dielectric properties of cement as a transmission medium, changing the electromagnetic parameter landscape to enable efficient power transmission through the cement matrix. By selecting appropriate frequency ranges and leveraging the cement's dielectric characteristics, the system achieves effective power transmission with reduced losses compared to traditional approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If micro-sensors are mixed with cement, then sensor integration is improved, but cement integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor integrationVSAvoidcement integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures that micro-sensors are distributed uniformly throughout the cement matrix, creating local sensing zones without compromising overall cement structure. The sensors are embedded at appropriate concentrations and positions, allowing localized measurement functions while preserving the global mechanical integrity and structural properties of the cement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 accurate, high-resolution subsurface data collection and monitoring across multiple downholes, facilitating the tracking and modeling of subsurface movements, such as CO2 plumes, without increasing drilling expenses.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless power transmitter within the casting and configured to transmit a wireless power signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

At least one micro-sensor of the plurality of micro-sensors is configured to receive the wireless power signal, sense at least one attribute, and transmit a sensed signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic sensing: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

A first relay of the relay system is configured to receive the sensed signal and re-transmit the sensed signal at a first time. A second relay of the relay system is configured to receive the re-transmitted sensed signal and re-transmit the sensed signal at a second time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11459878B2Wireless micro-sensors system for monitoring deep subsurface operations

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST

AI summary

Described herein is a method and techniques for subsurface monitoring. The system includes a downhole including a casting with a lumen, a wireless power transmitter within the casting, a micro-sensor cement mixture including a plurality of micro-sensors mixed with a cement, the micro-sensor cement mixture on a surface of the casting opposite from the lumen, a relay system including a plurality of relays, each of the plurality of relays including a charging component and a surface receiver. The wireless power transmitter configured to transmit a wireless power signal. At least one micro-sensor of the plurality of micro-sensors is configured to receive the wireless power signal, sense at least one attribute, and transmit a sensed signal. A series of relays are configured to receive the sensed signal and re-transmit the sensed signal and a surface receiver is configured to receive the sensed signal at a third time after the second time.