Method for mixing fluids downhole

• US 8,714,254 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2010
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Harrison, Christopher, O'Keefe, Michael, van Hal, Ronald, Lawrence, Jimmy, Mullins, Oliver C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US12/966,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20120145400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 166/305.1, 166/69, 175/50, 175/59, 731/522.3, 731/525.5, 436/28
• US Class Current: 166/305.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/0875 determining specific fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a piston is capable of contacting the second end of the chamber. The piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a second fluid. A fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and supplies a second fluid through a first opening of the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the second end of the chamber. The piston includes an agitator mixing device that is attached to a bottom surface of the piston, wherein mixing of the first fluid with the second fluid primarily occurs upon movement of the piston by actuating device.

Claims

1. A downhole mixing apparatus for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid, the downhole mixing apparatus comprising:

a chamber having a first end, a second end, a first opening that allows fluid to flow into the first end of the chamber, and a second opening that allows fluid to flow into the second end of the chamber;

at least one piston positioned within the chamber, wherein the piston (i) generates a seal between the first end and the second end of the chamber, (ii) is movable along the chamber towards the first end and towards the second end of the chamber, and (iii) comprises at least one agitator mixing device attached to a bottom surface of the at least one piston; and

a fluid delivery system configured (i) to supply a volume of the second fluid to the chamber through the first opening and (ii) to move the piston inside the chamber so that the at least one agitator mixing device mixes the first fluid with the second fluid.

2. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is a reactant fluid for detecting at least one of H₂S, CO₂, and Hg within the second fluid.

3. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second fluid is a formation fluid.

4. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one agitator mixing device comprises at least one perforated portion.

5. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one agitator mixing device is at least one of tree-shaped, T-shaped, and cup-shaped.

6. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one agitator mixing device comprises a central portion extending from the bottom surface of the at least one piston and at least two arm extensions extending from the central portion.

7. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chamber, the at least one piston, the at least one agitator mixing device, or some combination thereof include one or more coatings.

8. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one agitator mixing device comprises (i) at least a portion having one or more channels to assist in mixing the fluids or (ii) at least a portion that is flexible.

9. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one agitator mixing device is unitary with the at least one piston.

10. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downhole mixing apparatus is used for at least one of gas scrubbing, a colorimetric sensing measurement, a electrochemical sensing measurement, and a magnetic resonance sensing measurement.

11. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery system is in communication with a downhole tool having an inlet disposed on an exterior of the downhole tool for engaging a formation in a subterranean environment.

12. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second piston capable of contacting the top surface of the at least one piston, wherein the second piston includes at least one magnet to identify a location of the at least one piston during the mixing of the first fluid with the second fluid.

13. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one sealing device for the at least one piston.

14. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pumping device that (i) applies a first pumping pressure to the top surface of the piston using the second fluid and moves the at least one piston in a direction from the second end toward the first end of the chamber and (ii) applies a second pumping pressure reversing the direction of movement of the at least one piston from the first end toward the second end of the chamber.

15. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a maximum volume of the first fluid within the chamber is based upon a volume change caused by compression of the second fluid.

16. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery system is further configured (i) apply a pressure to the bottom surface of the piston using the second fluid so that the piston moves towards the second end of the chamber and (ii) to apply pressure to a top surface of the piston using a third fluid that is supplied through the second opening so that the piston moves towards the first end of the chamber.

17. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a plurality of valves in communication with each opening, wherein a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve are associated with the first opening and a fourth valve, a fifth valve, and a sixth valve are associated with the second opening.

18. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pumping device that applies multiple pressures against the at least one piston, wherein a first pumping pressure directs the at least one piston toward the first end using the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve and a second pumping pressure directs the at least one piston in a reverse direction from the first end toward the second end of the chamber using the third valve, the fourth valve, the fifth valve, and the sixth valve.

19. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises an actuating device.

20. The downhole mixing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the actuating device is at least one of a mechanical actuating device and a pumping device.

21. A downhole mixing method for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid within a chamber that comprises a first end, a second end, a first opening, and at least one piston with at least one agitator mixing device attached to a bottom surface of the piston, the downhole mixing method comprising:

(a) supplying the second fluid to the first end of the chamber through the first opening to move the piston towards the second end of the chamber, wherein the first fluid is loaded within the first end of the chamber;

(b) moving the piston in a direction from the second end toward the first end of the chamber;

(c) moving the piston in a reverse direction from the first end toward the second end of the chamber; and

(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) one or more times to mix the first fluid and the second fluid using the agitator mixing device.

22. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein the chamber is housed within a downhole tool.

23. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are mixed to form a homogenous fluid.

24. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein a maximum volume of the first fluid is based upon a volume change caused by compression of the second fluid.

25. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein the first fluid is a reagent fluid and the second fluid is a formation fluid.

26. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein steps (b), (c), and (d) provide for a compound extraction or a compound stripping of the second fluid by the first fluid.

27. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein the second fluid is a formation fluid that is one of a gas, a liquid, or some combination thereof.

28. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein the at least one piston comprises at least one sealing device.

29. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein the chamber, the at least one piston, the at least one agitator mixing device, or some combination thereof are coated with one or more coatings.

30. The downhole mixing method of claim 21, wherein a fluid delivery system performs steps (a) through (d).

31. The downhole mixing method of claim 30, wherein the fluid delivery system is in communication with a downhole tool having an inlet disposed on an exterior of the downhole tool for engaging a formation in a subterranean environment.

32. The downhole mixing method of claim 30, wherein, at step (b), the fluid delivery system applies pressure to a top surface of the at least one piston using a third fluid that is supplied through a second opening within the chamber so that the piston moves towards the first end of the chamber.

33. The downhole mixing method of claim 32, wherein the fluid delivery system has a plurality of valves in communication with each opening, wherein a first valve, a second valve, and third valve are associated with the first opening, and a fourth valve, a fifth valve, and a sixth valve are associated with the second opening.

34. The downhole mixing method of claim 33, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pumping device that applies multiple pressures against the at least one piston so that a first pumping pressure directs the at least one piston toward the first end using the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve and a second pumping pressure directs the piston in a reverse direction from the first end toward the second end of the chamber using the third valve, the fourth valve, the fifth valve, and the sixth valve.