DE102011121114B4 - Geophysical and / or geotechnical probe with a component to be protected and method for protecting such a probe - Google Patents

Abstract

Geophysical and / or geotechnical probe (1) with at least one in the borehole (2) against environmental influence (w) to be protected component (5), in particular liquid-sensitive component (5), characterized by at least one Dichtmittelauslass (6) for discharging a sealant (7 ) in a surrounding area of the component (5) to be protected and / or the probe (1), wherein the sealing means (7) is a protective fluid, grease and / or silicone.

Description

The invention relates to a geophysical and / or geotechnical probe with at least one in the borehole against environmental influence to be protected, in particular liquid-sensitive component and a method for protecting such a probe.

Many geophysical and geotechnical probes deployed in wellbores have components that must be protected from liquids that penetrate from the surrounding rock into the originally dry wellbore. One application example is geophone probes used in seismic surveys.

Such geophysical and geotechnical probes are designed for use in dry wells only. For use in wet, wet or even well-filled wells, the probes must be encapsulated so that the probes remain functional. The probes have been housed in robust housings so far. This encapsulation is exceptionally expensive and expensive. For the encapsulation or enclosure in the manner of a housing high quality metals are used, which can withstand the sometimes very aggressive liquids, for example, highly concentrated and high pressure hot brine. Particularly difficult is the coupling of the probes through the enclosure to the mountains, especially when there is a large pressure difference between a probe internal pressure to an external pressure around the probe. In addition, the overall diameter of the probe assembly increases, which leads to difficulties with usually only small borehole diameters. In addition, the considerable increase in weight due to the encapsulation complicates the handling.

Well-known is the introduction of liquid or pasty substances into borehole areas delimited by borehole packers, for example in the case of cementation of borehole areas. However, the viscosity of the introduced substances is limited, since they must be promoted by a usually small-caliber injection line.

DE 10 2010 014 415 A1 generally describes geothermal measuring chains whose components are surrounded by a hose for protection.

DE 10 2007 025 905 B3 relates to a probe head which can be lowered into a borehole and into which a heat transfer medium can be introduced via a first line. The heat transfer medium flows through the probe head and absorbs heat from the surrounding soil. The thus heated heat transfer medium is discharged from the probe head through a second line. The cables are screwed to the opening of the probe head. It is screwed in each case a sleeve which forms a Vergussraum each around the screw, wherein the Vergussräume are potted with a fast-curing resin.

US 5,265,680 A describes an arrangement in which cement is used as the sealant.

US 2 769 498 A . WO 2006/130 178 A3 and US Pat. No. 7,866,387 B2 describe borehole probes with holding devices for holding the probe in the borehole.

The object of the invention is to protect a geophysical and / or geotechnical probe which can be used in boreholes in a simple manner against liquids that penetrate from the surrounding mountains into the originally dry borehole.

This object is achieved by a geophysical and / or geotechnical probe with at least one component to be protected in the borehole against environmental influence with the features of patent claim 1 or by a method for protecting a particular liquid-sensitive component to be protected against environmental influence as part of a geophysical and / or geotechnical Probe solved with the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

Accordingly, preference is given to a geophysical and / or geotechnical probe having at least one component to be protected in the borehole against environmental influence, in particular a liquid-sensitive component which has at least one sealant outlet for discharging a sealant into an environmental region of the component to be protected and / or the probe.

The term "probe" is broad and includes, for example, a compact device or an associated array of components. A probe is configured to be inserted into a wellbore, in particular a dry wellbore. Dry may be the hole from home, but usually moisture can penetrate from the surrounding mountains of the borehole or through the borehole itself. It may also be a well filled with liquid well, which is briefly drained during drilling or for introducing the probe. Such a probe typically includes at least one component for inspecting the wellbore surrounding it Mountains or for acquiring measured values which correspond to measurement parameters that act on the probe or its measuring component from the mountains. Such components are usually to protect against these components attacking influences, in particular against liquids, which is carried out with the aid of a sealant. The term "sealant" is also to be understood broadly and selectable with regard to the component to be protected and with regard to the possible harmful environmental influences.

The fact that the probe itself has a Dichtmittelauslass, highlights that with the probe together a component is introduced into the borehole, which allows the omission of the sealant and thus can cause the sealant in the immediate vicinity of the protected component. In particular, the sealant outlet can be designed as a device arranged on the probe or as a fixed component of the probe. Thus, without special housing arrangements, the component to be protected and possibly even the entire probe can be protected in a simple manner by surrounding the component and optionally the entire probe itself with the aid of a sealant and / or between the component and a surrounding area from which damaging environmental influence can act, the sealant is introduced.

One embodiment relates to such a probe with a sealant container which can be carried along with the probe, from which the sealing means can be diverted from the sealant outlet formed on the sealant container.

It is finally emphasized that a sealant container and thus also the corresponding sealant with the probe together in the borehole is carried, so that the sealant is ready at a site of the component and there is only from the sealant container auslassbar to the protected component on To be able to protect itself from the environment. The sealant thus serves to locally protect the component at its place of use. Finally, there is also a further protection of the component after its use, even if a residual amount of sealant surrounds the component itself even when pulling the probe out of the possibly filled with liquid hole and thus protects a sufficient period of time from environmental influences from a wellbore. In this case, for example, a hose can be arranged between the actual body of the sealant container and the sealant outlet in order to guide the sealant in a targeted manner to a specific application location within the environmental region of the probe or in its immediate surroundings.

Another embodiment relates to such a probe with a borne with the probe in the borehole sealant conduit, one end of which forms the at least one Dichtmittelauslass and the other end portion of a sealant container connected or connected, wherein the sealant container provides the sealant and wherein the sealant container of the probe is spaced particularly in the borehole on a linkage for guiding the probe is arranged. In this embodiment, it is emphasized that the Dichtmittelauslass and the probe on the one hand and on the other hand, the sealant container can in principle also be arranged further apart from each other. For example, the sealant container can be inserted as a separate component independent of the probe or together with the probe on a common linkage in the borehole. The sealant container must therefore not be arranged directly in or on the probe.

In particular, in such a probe, a pressure medium line is connected to the sealant container for supplying the pressure medium through the borehole from the outside. A compressor for generating compressed air can thus be arranged outside the borehole. In contrast to a possibly even very tough liquid sealant is compressed air as an exemplary pressure medium easily pressed through lines in sealant containers in deep holes.

Such a probe is preferred in which the sealant can be conveyed out of the sealant container and through the sealant outlet by means of a pressure medium, in particular compressed air. The sealing agent is preferably a liquid or viscous medium which can be conveyed through a conduit and which can be conveyed out of the sealant container by means of a pressure medium. Optionally, a sealant container assembly is selected having a piston-like configuration, wherein a piston disk is then pressed against the sealant by, for example, compressed air to convey the sealant out of the sealant container at an opposite exit.

In such a probe, the at least one component without the leaked in the environmental space sealing means may be located unprotected against the environmental influence, the environmental influence in particular emanating from a borehole edge of such a hole surrounding the probe or a medium surrounding the probe in use in the borehole itself. Emphasized by this configuration, a state of the probe, in particular before their use or even while the probe is guided to a site within the borehole. In In this condition, the component to be protected is not or possibly insufficiently protected for continuous use. For example, only a thin protective layer may surround the component, with the thin protective layer being insufficient to provide lasting protection, or sufficient to protect against certain aggressive later media in the wellbore. The damaging environmental influence can be, for example, a medium which emerges over time from the mountains through the borehole edge into the borehole and thus also into the immediate area of the component to be protected. However, the damaging environmental influence may also be a means which is introduced from the outside after the probe has been introduced and the sealant has been discharged into the borehole itself.

In particular, such a probe can have a limiting device, in particular an elastic sleeve, which shields at least one component to be protected in borehole longitudinal extent of such a borehole. Such a boundary device is advantageous in order to limit the amount of sealant to be carried or introduced into the surrounding space. Without such limit devices, the sealant would possibly enter into the borehole in a further space around the component to be demarcated and to be protected or even around the entire probe. The limit device thus serves to close a portion of the borehole in the vicinity of the probe, so that the sealant can not enter beyond the borehole.

Preferably, such a probe, wherein the boundary device, while it is inserted in the borehole, is sealingly arranged against such sealant, which is omitted in the surrounding space of the at least one component. In addition or as an alternative thereto, in the case of the probe the separating device can also be arranged sealingly in the borehole longitudinal direction between a peripheral wall of the borehole and against liquid flowing out of the borehole. A limit device which retains the sealant encloses the sealant in a predetermined space. A boundary device which acts against liquid flowing out of the borehole prevents inflowing liquid from possibly attacking or diluting the sealant.

Such a boundary device is formed in particular of an elastic material. For example, the limiting device may be formed as a rubber sleeve, which extends transversely through the borehole in front of and / or behind the at least one component to be protected or possibly also the entire probe. An elastic material also adapts to an uneven wall of the borehole, so that a borehole bored with an uneven or uneven wall can also be sealed off.

The sealant is in particular a protective fluid, grease and / or silicone. In principle, it is also possible to use other or in particular also fat or silicone-containing sealants which are suitable for surrounding and protecting the component to be protected. In addition to viscous materials, which preferably remain stationary after the omission, sealants can be used which solidify or harden due to their inherent properties or added other components after application in the surrounding space of the component to be protected and so not with time by z. B. carried away a flow within the borehole. Such sealing means may also comprise components which protect the sealing means against components of the surrounding so-called borehole water which also attack the sealant over time.

A method is preferred for protecting a component to be protected against environmental influence, in particular a liquid-sensitive component, as part of a geophysical and / or geotechnical probe, in particular a probe of such a device, wherein in the method the probe with the component is lowered into a borehole and a Sealant is discharged into a surrounding area of the component to be protected. The method can therefore be used in principle independently of the device arrangement described concretely.

Such a method is preferred when the sealant is discharged in a position of the probe within the wellbore, in which position the probe remains for at least a time and / or that position measurements or examinations are performed by the at least one component , It is thus emphasized that the sealant is not discharged until the probe is in a working position, and that the sealant is not already discharged during the insertion of the probe into the borehole. As a result, only a small amount of sealant is needed, which is sufficient to seal the immediate environment of the component to be protected at their place of use.

Under a sealing is understood in particular that a seal is required only against the potentially damaging environmental influences. Therefore, a seal, while optional but not necessarily, includes a complete seal against any flow or environmental impact.

One application example is geophone probes used in seismic surveys. Various possible borehole probes, for example for groundwater quality measurements, come into consideration as conceivable fields of application.

An embodiment will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 schematically an exemplary probe, which is embedded in a borehole, wherein a sealant is discharged from a sealant container at the location of the application area;

1A - 1E an exemplary procedure for inserting a probe into a wellbore and the subsequent omission of a sealant in the environment of a protected component of the probe and

2 one opposite 1 modified design.

How out 1 can be seen, is an exemplary geophysical and / or geotechnical probe 1 in a borehole 2 admitted. The borehole 2 is drilled in a rock and surrounded by mountains accordingly. For insertion of the probe 1 in the borehole 2 usually serves a linkage 4 , which acts as a more or less rigid component on the probe 1 is attached on the back and for insertion or insertion of the probe 1 to a desired depth in the borehole 2 serves. However, other components than such a linkage may be used 4 be used, for example, in the case of a downhole leading into the ground 2 a rope, a chain or a cable. In addition to the illustrated linkage 4 or as a component within a hollow tube-like linkage, of course, cables for power supply and / or signal line from the probe 1 from the borehole 2 lead out.

The example sketched probe consists of simple probe elements 10 for example, purely as frame members and a front wall and a rear wall. An expensive and made of special material housing is with this probe 1 not intended, although optional. Shown are also at least one or more components to be protected 5 , which at the probe elements 10 are arranged and which to investigate the surrounding mountains 3 serve. These may be, in particular, liquid-sensitive measuring devices.

To the components to be protected 5 At the place of use to protect in particular duration or over a longer period of use away from environmental influences w, the probe has 1 in the exemplary embodiment, a sealant outlet 6 on, from which a sealant 7 in the surrounding area of the components to be protected 5 is exhaustible. The sealant 7 is an example of one with the probe 1 entrained sealant container 8th via a sealant line 9 to the sealant outlet 6 guided.

To the sealant 7 from the sealant container 8th to be able to specifically purge, is a pressure medium line 12 from outside the borehole 2 into the borehole and to the sealant container 8th guided. As a pressure medium p is used in particular compressed air, which through the pressure medium line 12 at the back in the sealant container 8th is einpressbar.

By pressing the pressure medium p is the front side of the sealant container 8th the sealant pressed out and through the sealant line 9 and the sealant outlet 6 in the environment of the components 5 omitted. To the sealant 7 to be able to discharge effectively, especially in the case of a viscous sealant 7 a flow through the pressure medium p through the sealant container 8th through to the sealant outlet 6 can prevent a piston plate 13 in the sealant container 8th be used, which the pressure medium p and the sealant 7 separates each other. After omitting the sealant 7 is thus the at least one component to be protected 5 from the sealant 7 surrounded and thereby protected from the environmental influence w, in particular a liquid.

Rear of the probe elements 10 and in particular the components to be protected 5 is by way of example, completely to the end in the hole 2 taken in probe 1 a boundary facility 11 used in the form of an elastic cuff. This prevents the leakage of the sealant 7 the sealant 7 at the back of the probe 1 in the borehole 2 penetrates and thereby an optionally very large amount of sealant 7 be carried along to ensure a preferably complete sheathing of the components to be protected. At the same time, such a boundary device 11 also provide a basic protection against liquids, for example, already during the introduction of the probe 1 or subsequently into the borehole 2 reach.

1A shows a first exemplary step of a process sequence in which such a probe 1 in the borehole 2 is admitted. Sketched is a dry hole 2 , wherein it is also outlined that optionally or over time, environmental influence w in the form of penetrating liquid in the wellbore 2 arrives.

1B shows a time at which the probe 1 completely to the end in the borehole 2 is admitted.

1C shows, as well as in 1 , as below, the pressure medium p through the pressure medium line 12 in the sealant container 8th the back is inserted to the front side of the sealant container 8th the sealant 7 omit. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealant line leads 9 from the back sealant container 8th through the limit device 11 through or past and past the various probe elements 10 to the front of the probe 1 , This will make the sealant 7 front side of the probe 1 discharged and fills with time increasingly the entire frontal space of the borehole 2 from, like from the 1D and 1E is apparent. The back side is the front hole 2 with the components of the probe therein 1 completely up to the limit facility 11 out with the sealant 7 filled. Subsequent environmental influence w or liquid in the back hole 2 penetrate without damaging the probe 1 whose probe elements 10 and in particular their components to be protected 5 to have.

2 shows an exemplary modified probe 1 , not only in the back area of the probe 1 a boundary facility 11 is arranged, but also in the front region of the probe 1 such a boundary device 14 is arranged in the form of an elastic sleeve. Such a design of the probe 1 with before and behind each of a boundary facility 11 . 14 is advantageous for use when the probe 1 as shown, not to the end of the borehole 2 is admitted, but in the course of the borehole 2 is to use. Shown again is the state in which the sealant 7 after positioning out of the sealant container 8th into the environment of the components to be protected 5 was omitted.

Can be implemented a variety of other modified embodiments. In addition to the possibility of the boundary devices also within the probe 1 instead of using outside, z. As well as the possibility to provide cuffs, which surround the probe completely or partially cylindrical. Other or no such boundary devices can be configured.

Shown is an example of a sealant container 8th , which is the back of the probe 1 entrained and back of the probe 1 on the linkage 4 is arranged. In principle, however, such a sealant container can also be carried within the range of the probe components.

The pressure medium 6 can z. B. are also conveyed by means of an electric drive from the container, wherein the pressure medium line 12 then, for example, an electrical line for supplying a drive current or a control signal for activating the drive.

Instead of the exemplary pressure medium line for passing compressed air as the pressure medium 7 from the outside, alternatively, a print cartridge with compressed air under high pressure to the sealant container 8th be connected, which the pressure p z. B. based on a control signal releases the sealant 7 into the space to be filled.

It is also possible to implement an embodiment in which the actual sealant container and components acting on its contents remain outside the borehole. In this case, only the sealant line could 9 into the borehole 2 and to the component to be protected 5 lead, in which case the open end of this sealant line turn the Dichtmittelauslass 6 forms.

Thus, there is provided a probe design which incorporates a sealant in the manner of e.g. B. a protective fluid allows.

The probe 1 will still be on the linkage 4 in the borehole 2 pushed. Before and after the probe, however, now each a rubber disc or a piston made of flexible material as a boundary device 11 . 14 appropriate. A piston diameter of the limit device 11 . 14 is sized to move the probe 1 As little as possible in the borehole, but a small sealing effect between the piston and the borehole wall is developed. After reaching the intended probe location z between the two pistons. As a highly viscous protective fluid, for example, silicone grease pressed, the probe 1 especially completely surrounds and the borehole 2 completely fills between the pistons. The protective fluid as a sealant 7 on the one hand is so viscous that it is held by the pistons and can not leave the room. On the other hand, it allows the functionality of the probe 1 or of their components to be protected 5 Do not hinder, for example, do not penetrate into electrical connectors and lead to short circuits or hinder mechanical parts in their mobility.

The pistons of the limit device 11 . 14 are particularly sized so that when filling the borehole 2 In the probe area, the air can escape completely, but the protective fluid is held. In particularly difficult conditions, sealing lips can be provided on the pistons which improve the sealing effect both inside and outside.

It is also possible, a pressure equalization port or pressure equalization line by such limit devices 11 . 14 to guide pressure equalization line through the probe. This has the effect that no pressure can build up against the fat-pressed sands in the middle of the borehole with respect to the borehole length from the bottom of the borehole. The pressure can be reduced by such a relief line to the fat cushion or the sealant over and through the pad therethrough. It is avoided that the fat pad including the probe would be pushed out of the borehole like a piston or that a pressure would be built up that interferes with the probe function.

In some cases, quite large borehole lengths generally prevent the protective fluid from being pumped from the borehole mouth via a hose line to the probe site, because the hose diameter can only be very small due to space reasons and the flow friction resistance would therefore be too high. In these cases, cartridges in type of sealant container 8th near the probe 1 attached to the wellbore and into the wellbore 2 be pushed. The pressing out of the protective fluid from the cartridges takes place via the short hose or sealant lines 9 into the space between the pistons or boundary devices 11 . 14 and can be done in particular with compressed air. For this, the cartridges are designed as cylinders and pistons. The cartridge cylinders are filled on the probe side with the protective fluid. On the other side is a compressed air or pressure medium line 12 connected to z. B. leads to the borehole mouth and allows the operator to control from there the protective fluid.

So geophysical borehole probes are made possible in the long term against chemical attacks from the mountains 3 in the borehole 2 to protect invading waters.

In the event that with penetration of aqueous solutions from the mountains 3 in a borehole 2 It is also possible to do this by introducing the sealant 7 in the manner of a protective mass in the measuring interval of the bore the probe 1 as a whole can be protected against corrosion. The use of silicone grease for this purpose seems to be an example. A flushing out of protective compound by one-sided pending solution can be prevented by an optionally provided pressure equalization line.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Geophysical and / or geotechnical probe

2

well

3

Rock or mountains

4

linkage

5

liquid-sensitive components to be protected

6

Dichtmittelauslass

7

sealant

8th

Sealant container

9

Sealant line

10

Probe elements, in particular front or rear wall

11

Bordering device, in particular elastic cuff

12

Pressure medium line

13

piston plate

14

Bordering device, in particular elastic cuff

15

Pressure equalizing line

p

Pressure medium, in particular compressed air

w

Liquid, especially water in the borehole as an environmental influence

Claims (12)

Geophysical and / or geotechnical probe ( 1 ) with at least one in the borehole ( 2 ) against environmental influence (w) to be protected component ( 5 ), in particular liquid-sensitive component ( 5 ), characterized by at least one sealant outlet ( 6 ) for discharging a sealant ( 7 ) in a surrounding area of the component to be protected ( 5 ) and / or the probe ( 1 ), the sealant ( 7 ) is a protective fluid, grease and / or silicone. Probe according to claim 1 with one with the probe ( 1 ) carrying sealant container ( 8th ) from which the sealant ( 7 ) from the sealant container ( 8th ) formed Dichtmittelauslass is ausleitbar. Probe according to claim 1 or 2 with one with the probe ( 1 ) in the borehole ( 2 ) compliant sealant conduit ( 9 ), one end of which projects the at least one sealant outlet ( 6 ) and the other end portion of a sealant container ( 8th ) is connectable or connected, wherein the sealant container ( 8th ) the sealant ( 7 ) and wherein the sealant container ( 8th ) from the probe ( 1 ) spaced especially in the borehole ( 2 ) on a linkage ( 4 ) for guiding the probe ( 1 ) is arranged. Probe according to any preceding claim, wherein a pressure medium line ( 12 ) to the sealant container ( 8th ) is connected to supply the Pressure medium (p) through the borehole ( 2 ) from the outside. A probe according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealant ( 7 ) from the sealant container ( 8th ) and through the sealant outlet ( 6 ) by means of a pressure medium (p), in particular compressed air, is herausbeförderbar. A probe according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one component ( 5 ) without the leaked into the ambient space sealant ( 7 ) is positioned unprotected against the environmental influence that emanates from a borehole edge of such a probe ( 1 ) surrounding borehole ( 2 ) or from one the probe ( 1 ) in use surrounding medium in the borehole itself ( 2 ). Probe according to any preceding claim, in which a boundary device ( 11 . 14 ), in particular elastic cuff, the at least one component to be protected ( 5 ) in borehole longitudinal extension of such a borehole ( 2 ) shields. Probe according to claim 7, in which the limit device ( 11 . 14 while placed in the borehole, is sealingly disposed against such sealant discharged into the surrounding space of the at least one component, and / or sealingly disposed in the borehole longitudinal direction between a peripheral wall of the borehole against liquid flowing out of the borehole. Probe according to Claim 7 or 8, in which such a boundary device ( 11 . 14 ) is formed of an elastic material. Method for protecting a component to be protected against environmental influence (w) ( 5 ), in particular liquid-sensitive component ( 5 ), a geophysical and / or geotechnical probe ( 1 ), in particular as part of a probe according to any preceding claim, - in which the probe ( 1 ) with the component ( 5 ) in a borehole ( 2 ) is lowered, characterized in that - a sealant ( 7 ) in a surrounding area of the component to be protected ( 5 ) is omitted, wherein the sealant ( 7 ) in a position of the probe ( 1 ) within the borehole ( 2 ) is omitted, in which the probe ( 1 ) remains for a while. Method according to Claim 10, in which the sealing agent ( 7 ) in a position of the probe ( 1 ) within the borehole ( 2 ) is omitted, in which measurements or examinations by means of the at least one component ( 5 ). Method according to Claim 10 or 11, in which the sealing agent ( 7 ) is a protective fluid, grease and / or silicone.

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