Moisture separation systems for downhole drilling systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10981108-B2
Application number	US-201816125963-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 10, 2018
Priority date	Sep 15, 2017
Publication date	Apr 20, 2021
Grant date	Apr 20, 2021

Abstract

Moisture separation systems and condensation devices for gas extracted from drilling fluids while drilling are provided. The condensation devices include a body having a first end and a second end and an exterior wall defining an interior surface, an interior passage providing a connection from the first end to the second end, and an angled support path within the interior passage, the angled support path extending from the interior surface and angled with respect to gravity. The angled support path is configured to direct a condensate away from the interior surface by the operation of gravity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A condensation device for gas extracted from drilling fluids while drilling, the condensation device comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end and an exterior wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
an interior passage providing a connection from the first end to the second end; and
an angled support path within the interior passage, the angled support path extending from the interior surface and angled with respect to gravity;
an inner support, the inner support having an interior wall dividing the interior passage into a first interior passage and a second interior passage; and
a gas bypass located proximate the second end configured to provide an exit for gas within the second interior passage,
wherein the angled support path is configured to direct a condensate away from the interior surface by the operation of gravity.

2. The condensation device of claim 1 , wherein the angled support path extends through the body substantially from the first end to the second end.

3. The condensation device of claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the body are configured for fluid connection.

4. The condensation device of claim 1 , wherein the angled support path defines a helical flow path through the body.

5. The condensation device of claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the condensation device is manufactured by additive manufacturing.

6. The condensation device of claim 1 , wherein the first interior passage is a passage that surrounds the second interior passage.

7. The condensation device of claim 1 , wherein the first interior passage is at least partially defined by the angled support path.

8. The condensation device of claim 7 , wherein the angled support path defines a helical surface that extends from the interior surface of the exterior wall.

9. The condensation device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more apertures formed within the interior wall to direct the condensate into the second interior passage.

10. The condensation device of claim 1 , further comprising a condensate trap formed by the angled support path, the condensate trap configured to direct the condensate toward the first end.

11. The condensation device of claim 1 , further comprising an increased surface area structure comprising at least one of a pin, a fin, and a blade extending outward from an exterior surface of the body.

12. The condensation device of claim 1 , further comprising a condensate barrier arranged on the angled support path and configured to direct condensate along the support path to the second interior passage and toward the first end.

13. The condensation device of claim 12 , wherein the condensate barrier extends from the interior wall of the inner support structure to the interior surface of the exterior wall.

14. The condensation device of claim 12 , wherein the condensate barrier has a height extending from the angled support path that is 90% or less than a height of the interior passage.

15. A moisture separation system to separate moisture from gas extracted from a drilling fluid while drilling, the moisture separation system comprising:
a gas extraction unit arranged to receive drilling fluid; and
a condensation device fluidly connected to the gas extraction unit, the condensation device comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end and an exterior wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
a first connector at the first end arranged to fluidly connect to the gas extraction unit;
a second connector at the second end arranged to fluidly connect to a gas analysis unit;
an interior passage providing a connection from the first end to the second end;
an angled support path located within the interior passage, the angled support path extending from the interior surface and angled with respect to gravity;
an inner support, the inner support having an interior wall dividing the interior passage into a first interior passage and a second interior passage; and
a gas bypass located proximate the second end configured to provide an exit for gas within the second interior passage,
wherein the angled support path is configured to direct a condensate away from the interior surface by the operation of gravity.

16. The moisture separation system of claim 15 , further comprising one or more apertures formed within the interior wall to direct the condensate into the second interior passage.

17. The moisture separation system of claim 15 , further comprising a condensate trap formed by the angled support path, the condensate trap configured to direct the condensate toward the first end.

18. The moisture separation system of claim 15 , wherein the condensation device is mounted above the gas extraction unit.

19. The moisture separation system of claim 15 , wherein at least a part of the condensation device is manufactured by additive manufacturing.

20. The moisture separation system of claim 15 , wherein the support path defines a helical flow path through the body.

21. A condensation device for gas extracted from drilling fluids while drilling, the condensation device comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end and an exterior wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
an interior passage providing a connection from the first end to the second end; and
an angled support path within the interior passage, the angled support path defining a helical flow path and extending from the interior surface to an inner support and angled toward the inner support with respect to gravity;
a helical condensate trap arranged along the inner support and the angled support path; and
a condensate barrier arranged on the angled support path and configured to direct condensate toward the first end,
wherein the angled support path is configured to direct a condensate away from the interior surface into the helical condensate trap and along the helical flow path in a direction toward the first end by the operation of gravity.

Assignees

• Mueller Stephan
• Ochoa Brian
• Baker Hughes A Ge Co Llc

Inventors

• Mueller Stephan
• Ochoa Brian

Classifications

• B01D5/0006

  Coils or serpentines · CPC title

• E21B21/067

  Separating gases from drilling fluids · CPC title

• B01D53/265 Primary

  by refrigeration (condensation) · CPC title

• B01D19/0057

  the centrifugal movement being caused by a vortex, e.g. using a cyclone, or by a tangential inlet · CPC title

• E21B49/086

  Withdrawing samples at the surface · CPC title