US20140345943A1 - Automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus - Google Patents
Automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140345943A1 US20140345943A1 US14/284,192 US201414284192A US2014345943A1 US 20140345943 A1 US20140345943 A1 US 20140345943A1 US 201414284192 A US201414284192 A US 201414284192A US 2014345943 A1 US2014345943 A1 US 2014345943A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- beaker
- measurement apparatus
- drilling fluid
- valve
- discharge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 119
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009972 noncorrosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B44/00—Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/08—Controlling or monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid, e.g. automatic filling of boreholes, automatic control of bottom pressure
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus which may automatically measure a weight or volume of a quantity of drill fluid and provide real-time feedback information regarding the drill fluid to a well operator. The automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus may further comprise a variety of sensors and other devices that are used in conjunction with a microprocessor to obtain useful information regarding drill fluid, such as mass flow meters, volume sensors and timers. Together, the apparatus, sensors and microprocessor may work together to control the opening and closing of valves of the measurement apparatus.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/825,626, filed May 21, 2013.
- The present invention is directed to an automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus which may automatically measure a weight or volume of a quantity of drill fluid and provide real-time feedback information regarding the drill fluid to a well operator. The automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus may further comprise a variety of sensors and other devices that are used in conjunction with a microprocessor to obtain useful information regarding drill fluid, such as mass flow meters, volume sensors and timers. Together, the apparatus, sensors and microprocessor may work together to control the opening and closing of valves of the measurement apparatus.
- This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the presently described embodiments. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
- In the field of oil exploration and downhole drilling, a variety of downhole fluids may be used in the drilling process. For instance, when drilling in a hydrocarbon producing formation, drill fluids may be used to lubricate and cool a drill bit while simultaneously removing and transporting cuttings such as bits and pieces of rock formation cut or dislodged by the drill bit. Other uses for drill fluid in a drilling operation include controlling the fluid within a formation to prevent blowouts, stabilizing a well, suspending solids within a well, as well as fluid displacement to flush out a particular fluid downhole. Further, drill fluids may be used to otherwise clean a well and test the downhole conditions within the well.
- Most often, the drill fluid is used to provide cooling and lubrication for the drill bit and to carry away the cuttings from the earth or rock formation. The drill fluids are typically pumped downhole through the tubing and orifices located on the drill bit so as to directly lubricate the cutters located on the drill bit. The cuttings are then carried to the surface of the well and the drill rig via the return flow through the well annulus. Naturally, the returned drill fluid will contain small pieces of shale or rock from the formation being cut. Therefore, the cuttings are separated from the drill fluid and the fluid is cleaned and recycled for future drill operations. The cleaning process generally occurs simultaneously with drilling of the well. Thus, so long as the well is being drilled, well fluid is continuously circulated downhole and back up to the surface with return fluid and cuttings to be cleaned from the drill fluid.
- As a result, it is important that a well operator is able to stay apprised of various information regarding the drill fluids currently being circulated in a downhole well. In particular, a well operator needs to know how much fluid is being pumped downhole as well as the condition and composition of the fluid. Further, it is desired that the information is provided to the well operator in real-time so that on-the-fly adjustments may be made to various aspects of the drill rig.
- Certain aspects of some embodiments disclosed herein are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.
- The present invention provides a unique and novel apparatus and method for measuring drill fluid to be used during drilling operations, and for providing feedback information to a well operator in real-time regarding various conditions of the fluid. In particular, the present invention may directly or indirectly measure the weight, volume and/or viscosity of a given quantity of drill fluid and provide such information instantaneously to a well operator so that further corrective action may be taken.
- Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation to various aspects of the present embodiments. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of the embodiments without limitation to the claimed subject matter.
- These and other features, aspects and advantages of certain embodiments will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is perspective view of an embodiment of an automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus made in accordance with principles of the present invention described herein; -
FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the measurement apparatus shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the measurement apparatus shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate bottom, frontal and side views of a preferred embodiment of the beaker shown inFIGS. 1-3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus made in accordance with principles of the present invention described herein; -
FIG. 6 is a frontal view of the measurement apparatus shown inFIG. 5 ; and -
FIG. 7 is a side view of the measurement apparatus shown inFIG. 5 . - One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
- When introducing elements of various embodiments, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, any use of “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” other directional terms, and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.
- Turning to
FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of an automatic drillfluid measurement apparatus 10 is shown.Measurement apparatus 10 may include aframe 100, which may be a cabinet or a set of metallic frameworks. In the embodiment shown,measurement apparatus 10 has abeaker assembly 120 comprising a fluid vessel orbeaker 124 connected to atop plate 110, which is mounted toframe 100. Beaker 124 is securely attached totop plate 110 via a variety of methods known in the art, such as bolts or fasteners. In particular,beaker 124 is attached to a central recess oftop plate 110 formounting beaker 124 therein. Beaker 124 may be a container shaped and sized to hold a particular quantity of drill fluid with asupply opening 123 located at the top ofbeaker 124 and a nozzle ordischarge opening 125 located at the bottom ofbeaker 124. -
Supply opening 123 may be appropriately shaped and sized to be able to receive a quantity ofdrill fluid 20 from a drillfluid supply line 122, which is shown located abovebeaker 124. In embodiments of the invention,supply line 122 may be made of a corrosion resistant material appropriate for handling the inbound flow ofdrill fluid 20, and may be mounted toframe 100 or may be mounted to another part of the drill rig apart frommeasurement apparatus 10. The diameter ofsupply line 122 may be sized to have a diameter smaller than the width or length ofsupply opening 123. This is so thatdrill fluid 20 flowing fromsupply line 122 does not spill outside ofbeaker 124 unlessbeaker 124 is presently overflowing. By way of example only, in an embodiment of the invention,supply line 122 may have a diameter of approximately one inch. - An
electronic supply valve 132 may be connected tosupply line 122 to control the flow ofdrill fluid 20 intobeaker 124, with control ofsupply valve 132 being handled by a microcontroller or processor.Supply valve 132 may be selected from a variety of valves known in the art. Other valves are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention, and may accordingly be substituted forsupply valve 132. - Similar to supply
line 122, a rinsefluid supply line 130 may also be similarly situated abovebeaker 124 for direct discharge of a rinsefluid 22 intobeaker 124. Rinsefluid supply line 130 may be made of a corrosion resistant material appropriate for handling the flow of rinsefluid 22, and may also be mounted to frame 100 or may be mounted to another part of the drill rig apart frommeasurement apparatus 10. As withsupply line 122, the diameter of rinseline 130 may be sized to have a diameter smaller than the width or length ofsupply opening 123 located onbeaker 124. This is so that rinsefluid 22 flowing from rinseline 130 does not spill outside ofbeaker 124 unlessbeaker 124 is presently overflowing. An electronic rinsevalve 140 may be connected to rinseline 130 to control flow of rinse fluid 22 intobeaker 124, with control ofsupply valve 132 being handled by a microcontroller or processor. As withsupply valve 132, rinsevalve 140 may be selected from a variety of valves known in the art. - The substantially
circular discharge opening 125 may be located at the bottom ofbeaker 124 to facilitate discharge ofdrill fluid 20 or rinse fluid 22 frombeaker 124 upon actuation of adischarge valve 134. A cylindrically shapeddischarge line 128 is fluidly connected to discharge opening 125 such thatfluids beaker 124 throughdischarge line 128 to a storage location or other line wherefluids beaker 124 is facilitated by gravity,discharge line 128 may be of sufficient length to allow for all fluids withinbeaker 124 to readily exitbeaker 124. Correspondingly,beaker 124 may be mounted at a sufficient height to allow for gravity assisted discharge of fluids withinbeaker 124 whendischarge valve 134 is actuated to an open position. -
FIG. 1 further illustrates the use of one ormore load cells 126 onmeasurement apparatus 10.Load cells 126 are essentially transducers which are capable of converting a given force into an electrical signal and are known in the art.Load cells 126 may be selected from a variety of load cell configurations, including hydraulic load cells, pneumatic load cells or strain gauge load cells. Other types ofload cells 126 may be contemplated within the scope of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1 ,load cells 126 may be located adjacent tobeaker 124, and more specifically, connected totop plate 110. That is,beaker 124 is directly attached totop plate 110, andtop plate 110 rests uponload cells 126.Load cells 126 are also connected to frame 100. Thus, it can be more readily understood that the weight of beaker 124 (and its contents),top plate 110,discharge line 128, anddischarge valve 134 bear down on the one ormore load cells 126. Further, as understood by this relationship,top plate 110 andbeaker 124 are not directly connected to frame 100, but rather are interconnected to frame 100 via the one ormore load cells 126. As shown inFIG. 1 , twoload cells 126 are utilized to measure the weight of beaker 124 (and its contents), however, in other embodiments of the invention, a greater or fewer number ofload cells 126 may be utilized. - Through this particular configuration,
load cells 126 may be able to measure the weight of beaker 124 (and its contents) and forward this information electronically to a microcontroller or processor for further processing into useful information for a well operator. It is understood that the weight of thetop plate 110 andbeaker 124 are accounted for and zeroed-out by the microcontroller or processor in determining the true weight of any fluids residing withinbeaker 124. - In addition to
beaker 124, asecondary beaker 136 may be provided in an alternative embodiment of the invention.Secondary beaker 136 may be located belowbeaker 124 anddischarge line 128 so as to collect the discharge of fluid frombeaker 124 anddischarge line 128. As shown inFIG. 1 ,secondary beaker 136 may be similarly mounted asbeaker 124, except thatsecondary beaker 136 is mounted onbottom plate 112 rather thantop plate 110.Secondary beaker 136 may be similarly shaped and sized withbeaker 124 in order to retainer a quantity of fluid deposited withinsecondary beaker 136 viadischarge line 128. Further, secondary beaker has a width and length that is greater than the diameter ofdischarge line 128 so that fluids enteringsecondary beaker 136 do not spill out of the sides of the beaker. - Unlike
top plate 110,bottom plate 112 may be directly connected to frame 100 due to the lack of anyload cells 126 connected tobottom plate 112. Asecondary discharge line 138 may be fluidly connected to the bottom ofsecondary beaker 136 so as to discharge fluid away frommeasurement apparatus 10.Secondary discharge line 138 may also be cylindrically shaped and have a similar diameter to dischargeline 128. - Turning to
FIG. 2 , therein is shown a side view of the embodiment ofmeasurement apparatus 10 fromFIG. 1 . Here, various features of the invention are more readily viewable, such as the relative location ofload cells 126 in relation totop plate 110. As described previously,measurement apparatus 10 includesframe 100 upon which various other elements of the invention are connected or interconnected thereon.Top plate 110 is provided withbeaker 124 connected and suspended fromtop plate 110.Discharge line 128 andconnected discharge valve 134 are attached to the bottom ofbeaker 124, with the top ofdischarge line 128 fluidly connected to discharge opening 125 located at the bottom ofbeaker 124. - One or
more load cells 126 may be mounted to frame 100 to provide electrical signaling of a force applied thereon.Top plate 110 is connected to the one ormore load cells 126, which are able to measure a force exerted by the weight ofbeaker 124 in combination with any fluids therein.Secondary beaker 136 may be attached tobottom plate 112 andsecondary discharge line 138 is seen connected to the bottom ofsecondary beaker 136. In particular, it can be seen thatsecondary discharge line 138 has anelbow 139 to direct flow offluids measurement apparatus 10 rather than continuing downward. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view ofmeasurement apparatus 10, as taken from the left side of the apparatus. Here it can be seen in combination withFIG. 2 that drillfluid supply line 122 and rinsefluid supply line 130 are located abovebeaker 124 such that fluid flow fromlines supply opening 123 ofbeaker 124. Similarly,FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate thatdischarge line 128 will discharge a fluid directly intosecondary beaker 136. -
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate bottom, frontal and side views of a preferred embodiment ofbeaker 124. As can be seen inFIGS. 4A-4C ,supply opening 123 and discharge opening 125 may be located at the top and bottom ofbeaker 124 to facilitate receiving and discharging drill and rinsefluids supply opening 123 spans the length and width ofbeaker 124 to allow for easy filling ofbeaker 124 during fluid measurement operations.Discharge opening 125 is smaller thansupply opening 123 and provides for centralized discharge of fluids throughdischarge line 128. -
FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention, withmeasurement apparatus 10 having anadditional enclosure 102 for enclosing and protecting the various components ofmeasurement apparatus 10.Enclosure 102 may be fabricated from a non-corrosive metal and may be shaped to enclose all components ofmeasurement apparatus 10 and, further, may include vents for the passage of gases between the inside and outside ofenclosure 102. Further,enclosure 102 may includevarious openings 104 to allow for passage of various fluid lines between the inside and outside ofmeasurement apparatus 10. Additionally, alevel probe 142 may be seen in this figure, which may be used to measure the level of fluid residing withinbeaker 124. Other methods for measuring the fluid insidebeaker 124 may also be available, the details of which will be further described below. - As can be seen in
FIG. 5 , various other aspects ofmeasurement apparatus 10 remain the same despite the inclusion ofenclosure 102. For instance, the use of drillfluid supply line 122,beaker 124,discharge line 128, rinsefluid supply line 130, anddischarge valve 134 remain from the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-4 . Other components not shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 5 may also be included or excluded depending upon the functionality desired by the well operator. -
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate respective frontal and side views of the embodiment ofmeasurement apparatus 10 shown inFIG. 5 , and further serve to illustrate the various components ofmeasurement apparatus 10 when anenclosure 102 is utilized. As shown inFIG. 6 , the particular placement and orientation ofsupply line 122 and rinseline 130 withinenclosure 102 may be more clearly seen, along with theattendant valves beaker 124 is shown as attached totop plate 110, which then rests uponload cells 126.Discharge line 128 is connected to the bottom ofbeaker 124 and extends downward therefrom, withdischarge valve 134 attached to dischargeline 128 to control flow out frombeaker 124. It should be noted that in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5-7 ,measurement apparatus 10 does not have abottom plate 112,secondary beaker 136 orsecondary discharge line 138. Rather, fluid is discharged frombeaker 124 directly out ofmeasurement apparatus 10 to a fluid line located elsewhere outsideenclosure 102. -
FIG. 7 provides a side view of the embodiment ofmeasurement apparatus 10 shown inFIG. 5 , and serves to illustrate the centralized placement oflevel probe 142 as well asdischarge line 128 withinenclosure 102. - Having described the various components associated with embodiments of
measurement apparatus 10, a general description of the process steps for measuring drill fluid bymeasurement apparatus 10 will now be discussed. To begin,supply valve 132 is opened to allow a given quantity of drill fluid to flow intobeaker 124 viasupply line 122.Supply valve 132 is then closed so that the given quantity of drill fluid may be weighed byload cells 126 and the weight information electronically transmitted to a microprocessor or controller. The process of transmitting weight information may also occur whilesupply valve 132 is still open, thus transmitting multiple weight information asbeaker 124 is being filled. - After filling
beaker 124 with a given quantity of drill fluid,discharge valve 134 is opened to allow for the fluid residing withinbeaker 124 to discharge out throughdischarge line 128. At this time, rinsevalve 140 is also opened to allow for rinse fluid 22 to wash down throughbeaker 124 as well as the nowopen discharge line 128. After a given period of time, rinsevalve 140 is closed anddischarge valve 134 is thereafter closed as well. Data is collected throughout this process and based upon the data collected, the weight of the fluid interned inbeaker 124 may thereafter be calculated by the microcontroller or processor. - In various embodiments of
measurement apparatus 10, an assortment of sensors may be utilized in conjunction with a microprocessor or controller to control the opening and closing ofvalves discharge line 128 to measure the flow rate at the drain point. This would provide an accurate flow rate for calculation of viscosity of drainingdrill fluid 20. The mass flow meter may be attached external to the fluid flow path, thereby increasing reliability. In other embodiments ofmeasurement apparatus 10, the mass flow meter may be connected to drillfluid supply line 122 rather than dischargeline 128. Mass flow meter is additionally connected to a microcontroller or processor such that fluid flow rate may be accurately calculated by the microcontroller or processor. - In another embodiment, a volume sensor may be used, such as a LVDT sensor, and located within
beaker 124. Such a sensor is electronic, and stem-style in design, with a stainless steel ball which may move up and down the sensor rod. Depending on the positioning of the steel ball along the sensor rod, the sensor may be able to relay fluid volume information associated withbeaker 124 to a microcontroller or processor. - In another embodiment of
measurement apparatus 10, a timer may be electrically connected to a microprocessor or controller. The timer may be utilized for timing various fluid flows withinmeasurement apparatus 10, such as the time forbeaker 124 to be completely filled with eitherdrill fluid 20 or rinsefluid 22. Additionally, the timer may be used to measure the amount of time it takes to drainbeaker 124. Alternatively, the timer may be used to calculate the viscosity of the drill fluid withinbeaker 124. By way of example, by recording the amount of time it takes for the beaker to evacuate fluid out through the bottom ofbeaker 124, and combining this information with the given size and surface area ofbeaker 124, fluid viscosity may be calculated by the microprocessor and this information provided to the well operator. - In yet another embodiment of the
measurement apparatus 10, a bypass orifice may be attached to the top ofbeaker 124 to allow for incoming fluid to bypassbeaker 124 whenbeaker 124 has been filled to a predetermined volumetric limit. This prevents beaker 124 from overflowing withdrill fluid 20 or rinsefluid 22. - While the aspects of the present disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. But it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
Claims (11)
1. An automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a beaker connected to the frame;
a load cell connected to the frame and operable to measure the weight of the beaker;
an electronic supply valve connectable to a drilling fluid supply line;
the supply valve operable to control flow from the drilling fluid supply line into the beaker;
an electronic rinse valve connectable to a rinse fluid supply line;
a discharge line located at a bottom of the beaker;
an electronic discharge valve located between the bottom of the beaker and the discharge line;
an electronic controller electrically connected to the load cell, the electronic supply valve, the rinse valve, and the discharge valve; and,
a timer electrically connected to the electronic controller.
2. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a level sensor located inside the beaker and electrically connected to the electronic controller.
3. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a nozzle at the base of the beaker.
4. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a bypass orifice to permit drilling fluid to bypass the beaker when the beaker has been filled to a predetermined volumetric limit.
5. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mass flow meter connected to the supply line and electrically connected to the electronic controller and operable to measure the mass flow through the supply line when the supply valve is open.
6. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mass flow meter connected to the discharge line and electrically connected to the electronic controller and operable to measure the mass flow through the discharge line when the discharge valve is open.
7. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
the electronic controller programmable to perform the following operations:
open the supply valve;
close the supply valve;
receive and store weight data from the load cells at measured increments in time;
open the discharge valve;
open the rinse valve;
close the rinse valve;
close the discharge valve; and,
determine the weight of the fluid that was interned in the beaker.
8. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
the controller electrically connected to a communication device operable to communicate the determined fluid weight to a drilling rig control system.
9. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
measuring the time increment between opening the discharge valve and the weight of the beaker indicating that the beaker is empty.
10. The automatic drilling fluid measurement apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
calculating an approximate fluid viscosity based on the time required to evacuate the beaker through the nozzle at the base of the beaker.
11. A method of automatically measuring drilling fluid comprising:
electronically weighing a beaker;
opening a supply valve to permit drilling fluid to enter the beaker;
closing the supply valve when the beaker contains a predetermined volume of fluid;
electronically weighing the drilling fluid in the beaker;
opening a discharge valve to permit the drilling fluid to evacuate the beaker;
opening a rinse valve;
closing the rinse valve; and,
closing the discharge valve.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/284,192 US20140345943A1 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2014-05-21 | Automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361825626P | 2013-05-21 | 2013-05-21 | |
US14/284,192 US20140345943A1 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2014-05-21 | Automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140345943A1 true US20140345943A1 (en) | 2014-11-27 |
Family
ID=51934626
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/284,192 Abandoned US20140345943A1 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2014-05-21 | Automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140345943A1 (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5290434A (en) * | 1993-02-10 | 1994-03-01 | Richard James G | Effluent dosing septic system |
US20030046986A1 (en) * | 2000-09-05 | 2003-03-13 | Herod Erman E. | Monitoring liquid characteristics including quality control |
US20070227234A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Weisinger Michael S | Funnel viscosimeter |
-
2014
- 2014-05-21 US US14/284,192 patent/US20140345943A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5290434A (en) * | 1993-02-10 | 1994-03-01 | Richard James G | Effluent dosing septic system |
US20030046986A1 (en) * | 2000-09-05 | 2003-03-13 | Herod Erman E. | Monitoring liquid characteristics including quality control |
US20070227234A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Weisinger Michael S | Funnel viscosimeter |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8074509B2 (en) | Wellbore monitor | |
US6474143B1 (en) | Automatically monitoring density and viscosity of a liquid | |
AU2011215837B2 (en) | X-ray fluorescence analyzer | |
CN104863579B (en) | One kind loss gasometric determination method and loss gasometric determination system | |
CN102252720B (en) | Mass flow meter based on weighing method | |
US11630045B2 (en) | Automated march funnel for oil and gas field operations | |
US7642474B2 (en) | Device for the quantitative analysis of debris | |
US8156801B2 (en) | Flow metering device | |
JP2019060099A (en) | Measurement method of groundwater state and structure of mouth portion of borehole drilled by advanced boring | |
US20140345943A1 (en) | Automatic drill fluid measurement apparatus | |
CN207660565U (en) | A kind of directional well drilling liquid takes rock efficiency rating experimental provision | |
US20200270958A1 (en) | Wellbore cleaning efficiency monitoring | |
RU2576423C1 (en) | System for supply of liquid chemical reagents and method of accounting reagents in such system | |
NO317220B1 (en) | Device and method for measuring the flow rate of excavated pulp from drilling | |
CN104977227A (en) | Online liquid density meter | |
JP7367833B2 (en) | Specific gravity measuring device | |
CN205404173U (en) | Ground soaks drilling depthkeeping sampling device | |
CN211060976U (en) | Discontinuous type medicament flow measuring device | |
US20110266065A1 (en) | Device for the quantitative analysis of debris | |
CN205670027U (en) | A kind of novel tipping-bucket type crude oil metering system | |
CN205826458U (en) | Measure viscosity apparatus continuously | |
CN206132549U (en) | Test instrument of accurate determination of concrete dry bulk density | |
WO2020132445A1 (en) | Systems and methods for assessing suspended particle settling | |
CN220322521U (en) | Pulverized coal weighing device | |
CN110082259A (en) | A kind of drilling fluid funnel viscosity measuring instrument |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |