Work String Tubing Connection Hardfacing Without Thread Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Work string tubing connections suffer from excessive wear, leading to premature degradation and rendering them unusable, as conventional hardfacing methods often damage the thin walls and threads, making rehabilitation difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A novel hardfacing process that applies a layer of hardfacing metal to the worn regions of work string tubing connections without damaging the threads, by strategically removing a portion of the box or pin member, applying the metal in a way that minimizes heat accumulation, and using specific welding parameters to rebuild the outer diameter to its original OEM specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional hardfacing methods are used to restore worn work string tubing connections, then wear resistance is improved, but the thin walls and threads are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The box or pin member is pre-heated to a specific temperature range (600-1200°F) before applying the hardfacing metal. This preliminary heating action prepares the substrate to accept the hardfacing material without causing thermal shock or excessive heat accumulation that would damage the threads, thereby resolving the contradiction between improving wear resistance and maintaining thread integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter by pre-heating the box or pin member to a controlled range (600-1200°F) before hardfacing. This parameter modification allows the hardfacing metal to be applied without causing excessive heat accumulation that would damage the threads, thus improving wear resistance while preserving thread integrity
2Duration of action of stationary object
If hardfacing metal is applied to rebuild the outer diameter, then service life is extended, but heat accumulation damages the thin walls
Solution Approach 1:
The box or pin member is pre-heated to a controlled temperature range (600-1200°F) before applying the hardfacing metal. This preliminary action reduces the thermal gradient and prevents excessive heat accumulation during the hardfacing process, allowing the outer diameter to be rebuilt without damaging the thin walls, thereby extending service life
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the temperature parameter by maintaining the box or pin member within a specific temperature range (600-1200°F) during hardfacing. This parameter control prevents harmful heat accumulation that would damage thin walls while still enabling successful application of hardfacing metal to extend service life
3Ease of manufacture
If worn work string tubes are discarded instead of rehabilitated, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but material loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding worn work string tubes, the invention recovers and restores them by applying hardfacing metal to the worn box or pin member. This recovery process extends the life of the tubing, reducing material loss while the pre-heating method keeps the rehabilitation process manageable in terms of complexity
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 method extends the service life of work string tubing by restoring wear resistance and preventing further damage, allowing the tubing to be reused in well operations with improved abrasion and wear resistance, while maintaining thread integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Hardfacing involves the deposition of a hard layer by arc welding or thermal spraying
Implementation Method 2
The worn outside diameter of the box is rebuilt to within specification by applying a hardfacing metal to the worn region of the box
Implementation Method 3
The box or pin member is preheated to a temperature sufficient to reduce the thermal gradient and prevent excessive heat accumulation during the application of the hardfacing metal
Data Source
AI summary
A hardfacing metal composition and method of restoring worn work string tubing by application of a hardfacing metal to the worn regions of the work string tubing.