Downhole power generation
First Claim
1. A downhole electrical power generation apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode comprising at least part of a borehole casing within a borehole;
a second electrode; and
a cement used to hold the first electrode in place, the cement comprising an electrolyte in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided downhole power generation apparatus with a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the first electrode comprises a casing within a borehole. The first electrode and the second electrode are formed from dissimilar metals and by appropriate selection of the two dissimilar metals, the casing functions as the cathode. Typically the first electrode is formed from a steel casing and the second electrode is of zinc. The second electrode is provided on an insulated connector joining at least two sections of casing. Power is extracted in an electrical load connected between the casing and the second electrode. Where a cement holds the casing in place within the borehole, it serves as the electrolyte. The cement is provided with additives to improve its conductivity. The first electrode is provided with oxide coatings, such as iron (III) oxide, to mediate the electrolytic reaction at the cathode. A method of generating electrical power down a borehole is also provided, the method comprising positioning at least one hollow cylinder made from a first material within a borehole, placing a dissimilar second material within the borehole, the first and second materials both communicating with a common electrolytic medium, thereby to form an electrolytic cell, and connecting an electrical load to the first and second materials to complete an electrical circuit and allow a current to flow through the load.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A downhole electrical power generation apparatus comprising:
-
a first electrode comprising at least part of a borehole casing within a borehole;
a second electrode; and
a cement used to hold the first electrode in place, the cement comprising an electrolyte in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of downhole electrical power generation comprising the steps of:
-
positioning in place within a borehole with a cement at least part of a borehole casing made from a first material the cement comprising an electrolytic medium;
placing a dissimilar second material within the borehole, the first and second material both communicating with the electrolytic medium, thereby to form an electrolyte cell; and
connecting an electrical load to the first and second materials to complete an electrical circuit and allow a current to flow through the load. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus for downhole electrical power generation comprising:
-
first and second electrodes of dissimilar materials located in proximity downhole, but electrically separated, the first electrode comprising at least a part of a borehole casing held in place within a borehole;
a cement used to hold the at least part of the borehole casing in place, the cement comprising an electrolytic medium in the vicinity of the electrodes, to form with the electrodes an electrolytic cell; and
a conductor adapted to conduct electric current from one electrode via an electrical device, to the other electrode.
-
Specification