SHUMWAY WILLIAM W (US)
US20190241448A1 | 2019-08-08 | |||
US3966590A | 1976-06-29 | |||
US20160362952A1 | 2016-12-15 | |||
US5944195A | 1999-08-31 | |||
US6902066B2 | 2005-06-07 |
CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method for treating working fluids in the oil and gas industry, the method comprising combining a working fluid with a paramagnetic material; introducing the working fluid into a wellbore; recovering a return working fluid from the wellbore; passing the return working fluid through a quadrupole magnetic field; utilizing the quadrupole magnetic field to concentrate a first portion of the return working fluid at a first diameter within the conduit; and utilizing the quadrupole magnetic field to concentrate a second portion of the return working fluid at a second diameter within the conduit, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter and wherein the second portion of the return fluid contains a higher density of paramagnetic materials than the first portion. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the working fluid is drilling mud and the paramagnetic material is a weighting material. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising separating the concentrated paramagnetic materials from the recovered return fluid. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting the strength of the quadrupole magnetic field to adjust the concentration amount of the paramagnetic material separated from the recovered return fluid. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the return working fluid is concentrated axially along a central axis of a conduit and the second portion of the return working fluid is concentrated along a wall of the conduit. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising positioning an inlet along the central axis and directing flow of the first portion into the inlet. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing comprises mixing a working fluid with a paramagnetic material selected from a group consisting of hematite, awaruite, hematite composites, carbonate coated hematite charged polymers, charged surfactants, charged organic species, and PHPA polymers. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein mixing comprises mixing a working fluid with a first paramagnetic material responsive to a first magnetic field strength and a second paramagnetic material responsive to a second magnetic field strength greater than the first magnetic field strength. 9. A magnetic multipole fluid separation system for the oil and gas industry comprising: a first tube disposed along a primary axis and having a first end and a second end; a second tube coaxially disposed in the first tube and having an inlet at a first end of the second tube, the second tube inlet being spaced apart from the first tube first end; and a multipole magnet system disposed around the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the multipole magnet system comprises a quadrupole magnet system having at least four spaced apart magnets positioned symmetrically around the first tube, where opposing magnets have the same polarity and adjacent magnets have the opposite polarity. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnets comprise permanent magnets. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnets comprise electromagnets. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnets comprise electromagnets. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the second tube extends coaxially with the first tube. 15. The system of claim 9, further comprising an outlet in the first tube adjacent an outer wall of the first tube. 16. The system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of quadrupole magnet systems axially aligned along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube. 17. The system of claim 9, further comprising a magnetic field sensor disposed adjacent the multipole magnet system. 18. A magnetic quadrupole fluid separation system for the oil and gas industry comprising: a first tube disposed along a primary axis and having a first end and a second end; a second tube having an inlet at a first end, the inlet positioned within the first tube along the primary axis between the first and second ends of the first tube; and a quadrupole magnet system disposed along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube, the quadrupole magnetic system having at least four radially spaced apart magnets positioned symmetrically around the first tube, where opposing magnets have the same polarity and adjacent magnets have the opposite polarity. 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of a quadrupole magnet systems spaced apart axially along a portion of the length of the first tube, each quadrupole magnet system having at least four spaced apart magnets positioned symmetrically around the first tube, where opposing magnets have the same polarity and adjacent magnets have the opposite polarity. 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a first quadrupole magnet system having a first magnetic field strength and a second quadrupole magnet system having a second magnetic field strength greater than the first magnetic field strength, the first quadrupole magnet system disposed along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube, and the second quadrupole system disposed along a tube downstream of the second tube inlet. 21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a first quadrupole magnet system having a first magnetic field strength and a second quadrupole magnet system having a second magnetic field strength greater than the first magnetic field strength, the first quadrupole magnet system disposed along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube, and the second quadrupole system disposed along a tube downstream of the second tube inlet. 22. The system of claim 18, further comprising an outlet in the first tube adjacent an outer wall of the first tube. 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the magnets comprise field adjustable electromagnets. |
In the depicted example, the fluid containing paramagnetic weighted material will flow from central bore 240 into the magnetic separator system. While fluid is flowing through central insert 206 the magnetic field generated by the magnetic assemblies 245 pulls the paramagnetically weighted material into the fluid flow outer passageways 244A and 244B and into outer exit bore 241. Any material diverted into outer exit bore 241 will be expelled into the annulus stream and recycled. Any weighted material not diverted into the outer passageways continue to flow out central exit bore 250. However, configurations are possible which would allow the flow to be in the opposite direction, such as if the described components were reversed in orientation. The described configuration is desirable, however, as it removes the system from the pressure exerted by the fluid column in the fluid conduit and allows reduced particle blockage in the outer flow passageways. The placement and length of the passageways 244A and 244B does not need to be substantially long to overcome the weight and flow rate of the fluid column when moving paramagnetic weighted particles to the outer flow pathway. The magnetic strength of the magnetic assemblies housed in cavities 242A and 242B can be increased to accommodate for a shorter outer flow passage. Examples of this configuration offer a significant advantage over other methods which have to overcome the weight and pressure of the fluid column when trying to divert drilling fluid based on particle properties.
Although systems with two cavities to hold magnetic assemblies were discussed above, in one or more embodiments, at least four cavities equally spaced circumferentially about the central insert 206 are utilized to produce a quadrupole field. A variety of magnetic assembly configurations can be implemented to achieve the desired quadrupole magnetic field effect. In one embodiment the magnetic assemblies consist of a series of individual magnets periodically placed about the cavity surface. In an alternative embodiment the magnetic assemblies can consists of one large magnet per cavity. In some embodiments the magnets are passive magnets to generate a static field. In other embodiments the magnets are DC or AC electromagnets to allow individual or group activation and/or switching of magnetic assemblies. Additionally, the electromagnets allow for either static (DC) or time-varying (AC) magnetic fields. In some embodiments the magnets are solid magnets. In other embodiments the magnets are liquid magnets. The magnets can be made of Ferrite and other rare earth elements such as high-grade neodymium. In one or more embodiments a quadrupole magnetic separator system 130, such as first quadrupole magnetic separator system 170, has at least one active magnet assembly that will produce a time-varying magnetic field of at least 3000 gauss up to 20,000 gauss. In one or more embodiments, the quadrupole magnetic separator system 130 includes at least one passive magnetic assembly that generates a static magnetic field of at least 3000 to 20,000 gauss. Such a quadrupole magnetic separator system can include a series of magnetic separator housings 202 equally spaced apart along the fluid flow conduit or spaced apart at different distances from one another along the fluid conduit. In one embodiment the first quadrupole magnetic separator includes an active magnetic assembly that can be field strength adjusted to a high- field magnetic separator. In one or more embodiments a quadrupole magnetic separator system 130, such as second quadrupole magnetic separator system 176 has at least one active magnet assembly that will produce a time-varying magnetic field of at least 20,000 gauss up to 50,000 gauss. In one embodiment the quadrupole magnetic separator system 130 includes at least one passive magnetic assembly that generates a static magnetic field of at least 20,000 to 50,000 gauss. Such a quadrupole magnetic separator system can include a series of magnetic separator housings 202 equally spaced apart along the fluid flow conduit or spaced apart at different distances from one another along the fluid flow conduit. In one embodiment the second quadrupole magnetic separator with an active magnetic assembly can be field strength adjusted to a low-field magnetic separator. In one or more embodiments a quadrupole magnetic separator 130 with an active magnetic assembly can be field strength adjusted between a low- field magnetic separator and a high-field magnetic separator. In one embodiment the magnetic separator system 130 may be located downhole in the drill string. The downhole magnetic separator system 130 can be a low-field and/or high-field magnetic separator. In one or more embodiments, a downhole magnetic separator 130 has at least one active magnet assembly that will produce a time-varying magnetic field of at least 3000 gauss up to 50,000 gauss. In one or more embodiments, a downhole magnetic separator system 130 has at least one passive magnetic assembly that generates a static magnetic field of at least 3000 to 50,000 gauss. A downhole magnetic separator system 130 may include a series of magnetic separator housings 202 as described above, equally spaced apart along the drill string or spaced apart at different distances from one another along the drill string. In one embodiment the downhole magnetic separator system may include at least two magnetic separators housings 202 with different filter port sizes 264 to concentrate paramagnetic particles of different densities at different locations along the drill string. In another embodiment, a downhole magnetic separator may not include individual ports 264, but rather include a single opening along the length of the surface of the outer fluid flow passageway 244. In one embodiment, the field strength of each magnetic assembly housed in the magnetic separator 202 may be of equal strength. In an alternative embodiment each magnetic assembly may be of different strength from one another based on cavity azimuthal orientation and the drill string orientation with respect earth gravity and the formation. Turning to FIG. 7, a flow chart illustrating a fluid separation method 300 for use with hydrocarbon drilling and production is illustrated. In a first step 302, a working fluid is charged or otherwise combined with a paramagnetic material. In one or more embodiments, the working fluid may be used during the drilling process, such as drilling mud, while in other embodiments, the working fluid may be used for well treatment, such as a hydraulic fracturing fluid or an acidizing fluid. In one or more embodiments, the working fluid may be water based or oil based. In one or more embodiments, the paramagnetic material is a weighting material, including but not limited to hematite and awaruite, as well as composites thereof such as hematite composites, for example, carbonate coated hematite. Thus, in step 302, where drilling mud is being prepared, a water or oil base is mixed with a paramagnetic weighting material. In other embodiments of step 302, where a hydraulic fracturing slurry is being prepared as the working fluid, the paramagnetic material may be introduced into a blender and mixed into the slurry. In one or more other embodiments, the paramagnetic material is a charged polymer or surfactant, such as charged organic species or PHPA polymers. In still yet other embodiments, the paramagnetic material may include a first paramagnetic material of a first low-density paramagnetic material and a second high-density paramagnetic material. In step 304, the working fluid containing the paramagnetic material is introduced into the wellbore. In one or more embodiments, the working fluid is introduced into the wellbore during drilling. In some embodiments, the working fluid is pumped down a drill string to a drill bit. In other embodiments, the working fluid is pumped to a completion assembly installed in the wellbore. Where the working fluid containing paramagnetic material is a hydraulic fracturing slurry, the working fluid is pumped into the wellbore utilizing hydraulic fracturing pumps. In such case, in some embodiments, the working fluid may be introduced into the wellbore at pressures of between approximately 9000 PSI and 15,000 PSI and injected into the formation surrounding the wellbore. Likewise, even if not under the pressures associated with hydraulic fracturing, if the working fluid is being utilized for formation or wellbore treatment, the working fluid may be pumped into a completion assembly installed in the wellbore and injected into the surrounding formation. In step 306, the working fluid, along with wellbore fluids and solids, is recovered from the wellbore as a return fluid. Specifically, the return fluid flow is directed back to the surface and into a return flowline, where the return fluid may be collected in a storage vessel or tank for subsequent treatment. In one or more embodiments, the return fluid may be directed to a first processing system to remove certain solids suspended in the return flow, such as drill cuttings. In this regard, one or more screens, sieves or shakers may be utilized to remove coarse drill cuttings from the return fluid. If the return fluid is collected in a storage vessel or tank, the return fluid may be processed by the first processing system before or after collection in the vessel or tank. In step 308, the return fluid is passed through a magnetic field. In one or more embodiments, the magnetic field is a quadrupole magnetic field, such as may be generated by a quadrupole magnet system. The magnetic field may be static. The magnetic field may be an electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnetic field may be time-varied. In one or more embodiments, the return fluid may be passed through a first magnetic field of a first strength and separately a second magnetic field of a second strength. The first magnetic field may be a low-field magnetic quadrupole and the second magnetic field is a high-field magnetic quadrupole. The first magnetic field strength may range between approximately 3000 gauss and 20,000 gauss, and the second magnetic field strength may range between approximately 20,000 gauss up to 50,000. In one or more embodiments, the return fluid is passed first through the first magnetic field and then through the second magnetic field, where the first magnetic field has a lower strength than the second magnetic field. In one or more embodiments, the magnetic field may be generated by a permanent magnetic, while in other embodiments, the magnetic field may be generated by electromagnets. In some embodiments of step 308, the magnetic field strength may be altered based on the paramagnetic materials within the return fluid. In this regard, sensor may be utilized to measure the magnetic field and dynamically adjust the magnetic field in real time. In step 310, the magnetic field is utilized to concentrate a first portion of the return fluid along a first flow path within a conduit and to concentrate a second portion of the return fluid along a second flow path within the conduit. In one or more embodiments, the first flow path is along a first diameter within the conduit and the second flow path is along a second diameter within the conduit, where the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. Thus, the first flow path may be generally formed adjacent and along the primary axis of the conduit and the second flow path may be formed adjacent the perimeter of the conduit, adjacent a conduit wall. In one or more embodiments, the first portion of the return fluid contains materials that have no or low magnetic properties so as to be much less responsive to magnetic fields, whereas the second portion of the return fluid contains much more magnetically responsive materials. In this regard, the second portion of the return fluid at the second diameter is a much higher concentration or density of paramagnetic materials than the first portion of the return fluid. Where the paramagnetic field has been altered, adjusted or tuned to generate a magnetic field associated with a particular paramagnetic material in the return fluid, the second portion of the return fluid adjacent the perimeter of the conduit in which is flowing may contain a much larger concentration of that particular paramagnetic material. In any event, where the paramagnetic materials are used as a weighting material, such as in drilling mud, the paramagnetic material will have a higher density that other materials that may be included in the return fluid. Thus, low density, less magnetic materials will be concentrated along the primary axis of the conduit, while the high density, more magnetic materials will be concentrated adjacent the perimeter of the conduit. In step 312, the flow paths are diverted from one another. In one or more embodiments, the first flow path is diverted from the second flow path, while in other embodiments, the second flow path is diverted from the first flow path. In one or more embodiments, an inlet may be positioned along the first flow path to divert the concentrated first portion of the return flow path. Once diverted from one another, fluid containing the higher concentration of paramagnetic materials can be stored separately from the remainder of the return fluid. Thereafter, as desired, the recovered paramagnetic materials can be reutilized, such as in mixing step 302, for reinjection into the wellbore.
Thus, a magnetic fluid separation system for use in treating wellbore fluids has been described. Embodiments of the wellbore fluid separation system may generally include a first tube disposed along a primary axis and having a first end and a second end; a second tube coaxially disposed in the first tube and having an inlet at a first end of the second tube, the second tube inlet being spaced apart from the first tube first end; and a multipole magnet system disposed around the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube. In other embodiments, the system may include a first tube disposed along a primary axis and having a first end and a second end; a second tube having an inlet at a first end, the inlet positioned within the first tube along the primary axis between the first and second ends of the first tube; and a quadrupo!e magnet system di sposed along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube, the quadrupole magnetic system having at least four radially spaced apart magnets positioned symmetrically around the first tube, where opposing magnets have the same polarity and adjacent magnets have the opposite polarity.
For any of the foregoing embodiments, the apparatus or system may include any one of the following elements, alone or in combination with each other:
A drill string having a drill bit, wherein the magnetic quadrupole fluid separation system is positioned along the drill string.
The multipole magnet system comprises a quadrupole magnet system having at least four spaced apart magnets positioned symmetrically around the first tube, where opposing magnets have the same polarity and adjacent magnets have the opposite polarity.
The magnets compri se permanent magnets.
The magnets comprise electromagnets.
The magnets are positioned on the same radius about the primary axis of the first tube. The second tube extends coaxially with the first tube. An outlet in the first tube adjacent an outer wall of the first tube. A plurality of quadrupole magnet systems axially aligned along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube. A magnetic field sensor disposed adjacent the multipole magnet system. A plurality of a quadrupole magnet systems spaced apart axially along a portion of the length of the first tube, each quadrupole magnet system having at least four spaced apart magnets positioned symmetrically around the first tube, where opposing magnets have the same polarity and adjacent magnets have the opposite polarity. A first quadrupole magnet system having a first magnetic field strength and a second quadrupole magnet system having a second magnetic field strength greater than the first magnetic field strength, the first quadrupole magnet system disposed along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube, and the second quadrupole system disposed along a tube downstream of the second tube inlet. A first quadrupole magnet system having a first magnetic field strength and a second quadrupole magnet system having a second magnetic field strength greater than the first magnetic field strength, the first quadrupole magnet system disposed along the first tube between the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube, and the second quadrupole system disposed along a tube downstream of the second tube inlet. An outlet in the first tube adjacent an outer wall of the first tube. The magnets comprise field adjustable electromagnets. Thus, a method for treating working fluids in the oil and gas industry has been described. Embodiments of the working fluid treatment method may generally include mixing a working fluid with a paramagnetic material; introducing the working fluid into a wellbore; recovering a return working fluid from the wellbore; passing the return working fluid through a quadrupole magnetic field; utilizing the quadrupole magnetic field to concentrate a first portion of the return working fluid at a first diameter within the conduit; and utilizing the quadrupole magnetic field to concentrate a second portion of the return working fluid at a second diameter within the conduit, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter and wherein the second portion of the return fluid contains a higher density of paramagnetic materials than the first portion. Other embodiments of the working fluid treatment method may include combining a working fluid with a paramagnetic material; introducing the working fluid into a wellbore; recovering a return working fluid from the wellbore; passing the return working fluid through a dipole magnetic field; utilizing the dipole magnetic field to concentrate a first portion of the return working fluid at a first diameter within the conduit; and utilizing the dipole magnetic field to concentrate a second portion of the return working fluid at a second diameter within the conduit, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter and wherein the second portion of the return fluid contains a higher density of paramagnetic materials than the first portion. For the foregoing embodiments, the method may include any one of the following steps, alone or in combination with each other: The working fluid is drilling mud and the paramagnetic material is a weighting material. Separating the concentrated paramagnetic materials from the recovered return fluid. Adjusting the strength of the quadrupole magnetic field to adjust the concentration amount of the paramagnetic material separated from the recovered return fluid. The first portion of the return working fluid is concentrated axially along a central axis of a conduit and the second portion of the return working fluid is concentrated along a wall of the conduit. Positioning an inlet along the central axis and directing flow of the first portion into the inlet. Mixing comprises mixing a working fluid with a paramagnetic material selected from a group consisting of hematite, awaruite, hematite composites, carbonate coated hematite charged polymers, charged surfactants, charged organic species, and PHPA polymers. Mixing comprises mixing a working fluid with a first paramagnetic material responsive to a first magnetic field strength and a second paramagnetic material responsive to a second magnetic field strength greater than the first magnetic field strength. Combining comprises mixing. Combining comprises mixing in a hydraulic fracturing blender Mixing with drilling mud. Mixing with hydraulic fracturing fluid. Mixing with acidizing treatment fluid. Injecting into a drill string. Utilizing the paramagnetic material as weighting material for drilling mud. Utilizing at least one of hematite, awaruite, hematite composites or carbonate coated hematite as the paramagnetic material. Utilizing a charged polymer or surfactant or charged organic species or PHPA polymers as the paramagnetic material. Combining comprises mixing a first paramagnetic material of a first low-density paramagnetic material and a second high-density paramagnetic material with a working fluid. Pumping the mixed working fluid to a drill bit. Pumping the mixed working fluid down a drill string. Injecting the mixed working fluid into the formation around a completion string. Utilizing hydraulic fracturing pumps to introduce the working fluid into a wellbore. Collecting the recovered working fluid in a storage vessel or tank. Prior to passing through a quadrupole magnetic field, collecting the recovered working fluid in a storage vessel or tank. Prior to passing through a quadrupole magnetic field, removing drill cuttings from the recovered working fluid. Prior to passing through a quadrupole magnetic field, removing solids from the recovered working fluid. Passing the return fluid through a magnetic field. Utilizing electromagnetics to create a quadrupole magnetic field. Generating a static quadrupole magnetic field. Generating a time-varied quadrupole magnetic field. Passing the return working fluid through a first magnetic field of a first strength and through a second magnetic field of a second strength different than the first strength. Passing the return working fluid through a low-field magnetic quadrupole and then through a high-field magnetic quadrupole. Passing the return working fluid through a first magnetic field of magnetic field strength between approximately 3000 gauss and 20,000 gauss, thereafter, passing the return working fluid through a second magnetic field strength of approximately 20,000 gauss up to 50,000. Altering the quadrupole magnetic field based on the paramagnetic materials within the return fluid. Measuring a condition of the return working fluid and altering the quadrupole magnetic field based on the measured condition. Measuring paramagnetic materials within the return working fluid and altering the quadrupole magnetic field based on the measured paramagnetic materials. Altering the quadrupole magnetic field based on the paramagnetic materials combined with the working fluid. Altering the quadrupole magnetic field based on the measured paramagnetic materials within the return fluid. Measure the magnetic field and dynamically adjust the magnetic field in real time. Concentrating a first portion of the return working fluid along a first flow path within a conduit and concentrating a second portion of the return working fluid along a second flow path within the conduit. Concentrating a first portion of the return working fluid at a first diameter within the conduit and concentrating a second portion of the return working fluid at a second diameter within the conduit, where the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. Concentrating a first portion of the return working fluid along the primary axis of the conduit and concentrating a second portion of the return working fluid adjacent the perimeter of the conduit. Concentrating materials in the return working fluid that have no or low magnetic properties along the primary axis of the conduit and concentrating much more magnetically responsive materials adjacent the perimeter of the conduit. Concentrating paramagnetic weighting material with a return drilling mud adjacent the perimeter of the conduit. Diverting the flow path of concentrated paramagnetic material from the flow path of the return working fluid. Diverting the return working fluid flow path from the flow path of the concentrated paramagnetic material. Directing return working fluid with low amounts of paramagnetic material to an outlet positioned along a central axis of a flow conduit. Passing the return working fluid through a dipole magnetic field. Utilizing a dipole magnetic field to concentrate a first portion of the return working fluid at a first diameter within the conduit. Utilizing a dipole magnetic field to concentrate a second portion of the return working fluid at a second diameter within the conduit. Passing the return working fluid through a quadrupole magnetic field. Utilizing a quadrupole magnetic field to concentrate a first portion of the return working fluid at a first diameter within the conduit. Utilizing a quadrupole magnetic field to concentrate a second portion of the return working fluid at a second diameter within the conduit. Although various embodiments have been shown and described, the disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and will be understood to include all modifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed; rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
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