Method for continuously batch mixing a cement slurry

• US 7,464,757 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2006
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Pessin, Jean-Louis, Rayner, Josh, Coquilleau, Laurent, Woodmansee, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates; Zakiya W
• Assistant Examiner(s): DiTrani; Angela M
• Application Number:
  US11/424,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20070289737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 366/8, 366/14, 366/51
• US Class Current: 166/285
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/51 in which the mixture is circulated through a set of tubes, e.g. with gradual introduction of a component into the circulating flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/52 with a rotary stirrer in the recirculation tube
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/81 Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/812 in two or more alternative mixing receptacles, e.g. mixing in one receptacle and dispensing from another receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 9/004 Making slurries, e.g. with discharging means for injecting in a well or projecting against a wall
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 40/0028 Aspects relating to the mixing step of the mortar preparation

Abstract

A method for continuously batch mixing a homogenized cement slurry is provided that includes providing first and second mix tubs which each perform a process which include: receiving a measured quantity of solid and liquid constituents of a cement mixture; mixing the solid and liquid constituents of the cement mixture into a homogenized cement slurry; and delivering the homogenized cement slurry into a well. In this method, the first and second mix tubs alternate these delivering processes in a synchronized manner such that one of the first and the second mix tubs continually delivering its corresponding homogenized cement slurry to a well pumping system.

Claims

1. A method for continuously batch mixing a homogenized cement slurry comprising:

providing first and second mix tubs which each perform a process comprising;

receiving a measured quantity of solid and liquid constituents of a cement mixture, mixing the solid and liquid constituents of the cement mixture into a homogenized cement slurry, and delivering the homogenized cement slurry to a pumping system; and

wherein the first and second mix tubs alternate said delivering processes in a synchronized manner such that one of the first and the second mix tubs continually delivers its corresponding homogenized cement slurry to the pumping system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mix tub performs its delivering process as the second mix tub performs its mixing process;

and wherein the second mix tub performs its delivering process as the first mix tub performs its mixing process.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mix tub performs its delivering process as the second mix tub performs its receiving and mixing processes;

and wherein the second mix tub performs its delivering process as the first mix tub performs its receiving and mixing processes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second mix tubs each sequentially perform said receiving, mixing and delivering processes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second mix tubs each continually perform said receiving, mixing and delivering processes until a desired quantity of homogenized cement slurry has been pumped from the pumping system to a well.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured quantity in each said receiving process of the first and second mix tubs is a measured mass.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured quantity in each said receiving process of the first and second mix tubs is a measured volume.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein in each said receiving process of the first and second mix tubs, each mix tub receives its liquid constituents separately from its solid constituents.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein in each said receiving process of the first and second mix tubs, each mix tub receives its liquid constituents overlappingly with its solid constituents.

10. A method for continuously batch mixing a homogenized cement slurry comprising:

providing first, second, and third mix tubs which each perform a process comprising;

receiving a measured quantity of solid and liquid constituents of a cement mixture, mixing the solid and liquid constituents of the cement mixture into a homogenized cement slurry, and delivering the homogenized cement slurry to a pumping system; and

wherein the first, second, and third mix tubs alternate said delivering processes in a synchronized manner such that one of the first, second and third tubs continually delivers its corresponding homogenized cement slurry to the pumping system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first, second and third mix tubs each sequentially perform said receiving, mixing and delivering processes.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first, second, and third mix tubs perform said receiving, mixing, and delivering processes in a synchronized manner such that when one of the first, second and third mix tubs performs said delivering, another of the first, second and third mix tubs performs said mixing;

and a last of the first, second and third mix tubs performs said receiving.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first, second and third mix tubs each continually perform said receiving, mixing and delivering processes until a desired quantity of homogenized cement slurry has been pumped from the pumping system to a well.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the measured quantity in each said receiving process of the first, second, and third mix tubs is a measured mass.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the measured quantity in each said receiving process of the first, second, and third mix tubs is a measured volume.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein in each said receiving process of the first, second, and third mix tubs, each mix tub receives its liquid constituents separately from its solid constituents.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein in each said receiving process of the first, second, and third mix tubs, each mix tub receives its liquid constituents overlappingly with its solid constituents.

18. A method for continuously batch mixing a homogenized cement slurry comprising:

providing first and second mix tubs which each perform a process comprising;

receiving a measured quantity of solid and liquid constituents of a cement mixture, mixing the solid and liquid constituents of the cement mixture into a homogenized cement slurry, and delivering the homogenized cement slurry to a pumping system; and

wherein the first and second mix tubs alternate said delivering processes in a synchronized manner such that one of the first and the second mix tubs continually delivers its corresponding homogenized cement slurry until a desired quantity of homogenized cement slurry has been pumped from the pumping system to a well; and

wherein after said desired quantity of homogenized cement slurry has been pumped from the pumping system to the well, a measured quantity of displacement fluid is delivered from the mix tubs to the pumping system.