WO2012071378A2 - Procédés et équipement pour améliorer par rayonnement les propriétés de la matière d'un insert de stator élastomère - Google Patents

Procédés et équipement pour améliorer par rayonnement les propriétés de la matière d'un insert de stator élastomère Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012071378A2
WO2012071378A2 PCT/US2011/061782 US2011061782W WO2012071378A2 WO 2012071378 A2 WO2012071378 A2 WO 2012071378A2 US 2011061782 W US2011061782 W US 2011061782W WO 2012071378 A2 WO2012071378 A2 WO 2012071378A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
stator
elastomeric
insert
stator insert
ionizing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2011/061782
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012071378A3 (fr
Inventor
Stefan M. Butuc
Original Assignee
National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by National Oilwell Varco, L.P. filed Critical National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
Priority to CA2818896A priority Critical patent/CA2818896C/fr
Priority to US13/989,020 priority patent/US20130251572A1/en
Priority to BR112013012886A priority patent/BR112013012886A2/pt
Publication of WO2012071378A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012071378A2/fr
Publication of WO2012071378A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012071378A3/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C2/00—Rotary-piston machines or pumps
    • F04C2/08—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C71/04—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. for curing or vulcanising preformed articles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C2/00—Rotary-piston machines or pumps
    • F04C2/08—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
    • F04C2/10—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member
    • F04C2/107—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member with helical teeth
    • F04C2/1071—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member with helical teeth the inner and outer member having a different number of threads and one of the two being made of elastic materials, e.g. Moineau type
    • F04C2/1073—Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member with helical teeth the inner and outer member having a different number of threads and one of the two being made of elastic materials, e.g. Moineau type where one member is stationary while the other member rotates and orbits
    • F04C2/1075—Construction of the stationary member
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C2035/0827—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using UV radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C2035/0844—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using X-ray
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C2035/085—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using gamma-ray
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0866—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation
    • B29C2035/0872—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation using ion-radiation, e.g. alpha-rays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0866—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation
    • B29C2035/0877—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation using electron radiation, e.g. beta-rays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0866—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation
    • B29C2035/0883—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using particle radiation using neutron radiation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C2230/00—Manufacture
    • F04C2230/20—Manufacture essentially without removing material
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04C2230/00—Manufacture
    • F04C2230/90—Improving properties of machine parts
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05C—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MATERIALS, MATERIAL PROPERTIES OR MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MACHINES, ENGINES OR PUMPS OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F05C2225/00—Synthetic polymers, e.g. plastics; Rubber
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05C—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MATERIALS, MATERIAL PROPERTIES OR MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MACHINES, ENGINES OR PUMPS OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F05C2253/00—Other material characteristics; Treatment of material
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49316—Impeller making
    • Y10T29/49336—Blade making

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to progressive cavity pumps and motors. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to the treatment of elastomeric stator inserts with ionizing radiation to enhance the material properties of the elastomeric material.
  • a progressive cavity pump transfers fluid by means of a sequence of discrete cavities that move through the pump as a rotor is turned within a stator.
  • the transfer of fluid in this manner results in a volumetric flow rate proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor within the stator, as well as relatively low levels of shearing applied to the fluid. Consequently, progressive cavity pumps are typically used in fluid metering and pumping of viscous or shear sensitive fluids, particularly in downhole operations for the ultimate recovery of oil and gas.
  • Progressive cavity pumps may also be referred to as PC pumps, progressing cavity pumps, "Moineau" pumps, eccentric screw pumps, or cavity pumps.
  • a PC pump may be used in reverse as a positive displacement motor (PD motor) by passing fluid through the cavities between the rotor and stator to power the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, thereby converting the hydraulic energy of a high pressure fluid into mechanical energy in the form of speed and torque output, which may be harnessed for a variety of applications, including downhole drilling.
  • Progressive cavity motors may also be referred to as progressing cavity motors (PC motors), positive displacement motors (PD motors), eccentric screw motors, or cavity motors.
  • Progressive cavity devices include a stator having a helical internal bore and a helical rotor rotatably disposed within the stator bore.
  • An interference fit between the helical outer surface of the rotor and the helical inner surface of the stator results in a plurality of circumferentially spaced hollow cavities in which fluid can travel.
  • these hollow cavities advance from one end of the stator towards the other end of the stator.
  • Each of these hollow cavities is isolated and sealed from the other cavities.
  • a PC motors have few components, they can be made to have a relative small outer diameter while being able to generate considerable torque.
  • This design can be applied to subsurface boring motors (i.e. mud motors) for the drilling of wellbores.
  • the drilling mud that is used to cool and lubricate the drill bit and to bring cuttings to the surface up the annulus area between the drill string and the wellbore is typically used as the drive fluid for the downhole PC motor.
  • the drilling fluid or mud may contain a certain amount of solid particles without risking damage to the motor, which is another advantage of utilizing eccentric screw motors in the drilling of wellbores.
  • Conventional stators often comprise a radially outer tubular housing and a radially inner component disposed within the housing.
  • the inner component has a cylindrical outer surface that is bonded to the cylindrical inner surface of the housing and a helical inner surface that defines the helical bore of the stator.
  • the housing may have a helical bore and the inner component may comprise a relatively thin, uniform thickness coating on the helical inner surface of the housing.
  • the inner component is typically made of an elastomeric material and is disposed within the stator housing, and thus, may also be referred to as an elastomeric stator liner or insert.
  • the elastomeric stator insert provides a surface having some resilience to facilitate the interference fit between the stator and the rotor.
  • stator manufacturers use an injection molding process to form the elastomeric stator insert.
  • the injection molding process requires a relatively low viscosity elastomeric material, which often limit the ultimate stiffness and resilience of the material.
  • the rotor and stator insert are in constant frictional engagement along a plurality of sealing lines defining the fluid filled cavities. Materials with low stiffness, strength, and/or resilience may wear quickly, thereby reducing the efficiency, power, and useful life of the PC device.
  • Thermally curing injection molded elastomers is known to enliance certain elastomeric properties, but may also detrimentally affect other elastomeric properties.
  • the method comprises (a) forming an elastomeric stator insert.
  • the method comprises (b) exposing the elastomeric stator insert to ionizing radiation.
  • the method comprises (c) positioning the elastomeric stator insert in a stator housing to form a stator.
  • the method comprises (a) generating a beam of electrons.
  • the method comprises (b) positioning a target between the beam of electrons and an elastomeric stator insert.
  • the method comprises (c) emitting ionizing X-ray radiation from the target after (b).
  • the method comprises (d) exposing the elastomeric stator insert to at least 100 KiloGrays of the ionizing X-ray radiation.
  • the method comprises (e) forming a plurality of polymer cross-links in the elastomeric stator insert with the ionizing X-ray radiation during (d).
  • the progressive cavity pump or motor comprises a stator having a central axis and including a stator housing and a stator insert disposed within the stator housing, wherein the stator includes a helical bore defined by the elastomeric stator insert.
  • the progressive cavity pump or motor comprises a rotor rotatably disposed within the helical bore of the stator.
  • the rotor has a radially outer helical surface.
  • the stator insert comprises an elastomeric material including a plurality of polymer chains connected by a plurality of cross-links induced by ionizing radiation.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of an embodiment of a progressive cavity device in accordance with the principles described herein;
  • Figure 2 is an end view of the progressive cavity device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic view of a system for treating the elastomeric stator insert of
  • Figures 4 and 5 are graphical illustration of results from the test described in Example 1.
  • the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to... .”
  • the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections.
  • the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a central axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the central axis.
  • an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the central axis
  • a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the central axis.
  • PC device 10 may be employed as a progressive cavity pump or a progressive cavity motor.
  • PC device 10 comprises a rotor 30 rotatably disposed within a stator 20.
  • Rotor 30 has a central or longitudinal axis 38 and helical-shaped radially outer surface 33 defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotor lobes 37.
  • Rotor 30 is preferably made of steel and may be chrome-plated or coated for wear and corrosion resistance.
  • Stator 20 has a central or longitudinal axis 28 and comprises a housing 25 and an elastomeric stator insert 21 coaxially disposed within housing 25.
  • housing 25 is a tubular (e.g., heat-treated steel tube) having a radially inner cylindrical surface 26, and insert 21 has a radially outer cylindrical surface 22 engaging surface 26.
  • Surfaces 22, 26 are fixed and secured to each other such that insert 21 does not move rotationally or translationally relative to housing 25.
  • surfaces 22, 26 may be bonded together and/or surfaces 22, 26 may include interlocking mechanical features (e.g., surface 22 may include a plurality of radial extensions that positively engage mating recesses in surface 26).
  • Insert 21 includes a helical through bore 24 defining a radially inner helical surface 23 that faces rotor 30.
  • housing 25 and insert 21 have mating inner and outer cylindrical surfaces 26, 22, respectively, in this embodiment, in other embodiments, the stator housing (e.g., housing 25) may have a helical-shaped radially inner surface defined by a helical bore extending axially through the housing, and the elastomeric insert may be a thin, uniform radial thickness elastomeric layer or coating disposed on the helical inner surface of the housing.
  • rotor lobes 37 intermesh with a set of circumferentially spaced stator lobes 27 defined by helical bore 24 in insert 21.
  • the number of lobes 37 formed on rotor 30 is one fewer than the number of lobes 27 on stator 20.
  • a series of cavities 40 are formed between the helical-shaped outer surface 33 of rotor 30 and the helical-shaped inner surface 23 of stator 20.
  • Each cavity 40 is sealed from adjacent cavities 40 by seals formed along the contact lines between rotor 30 and stator 20.
  • the central axis 38 of rotor 30 is parallel to and radially offset from the central axis 28 of stator 20 by a fixed value known as the "eccentricity" of PC device 10.
  • a PC device 10 operates in the art.
  • the intermeshing stator insert 21 and rotor 30 generate a plurality of cavities 40 separated in the circumferential and longitudinal directions.
  • the rotation of rotor 30 relative to stator 20 drives the axial movement of cavities 40 through device 10 in the direction towards the end with the higher fluid pressure, and when PC device 10 is operated as a motor, the flow of fluid through cavities 40 from the end with a high fluid pressure to the end with the lower fluid pressure drives the rotation of rotor 30 relative to stator 20.
  • elastomeric stator insert 21 may be constructed from any suitable elastomer or mixture of elastomers.
  • the elastomeric stator insert e.g., stator insert 21 or uniform radial thickness stator insert disposed on the inner surface of the stator housing
  • the elastomeric stator insert is preferably made from nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM rubber), Chloroprene (neoprene), fluoroelastomers (FKM), epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), natural rubber (NR), or combinations thereof.
  • HNBR hydrogenated nitrile
  • EPDM rubber ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber
  • Chloroprene neoprene
  • FKM fluoroelastomers
  • ECO epichlorohydrin rubber
  • NR natural rubber
  • elastomeric stator insert 21 may be formed by any suitable means known in the
  • An elastomer is a polymer with the property of viscoelasticity (i.e., elasticity), generally having notably low Young's modulus and high yield strain compared with other materials.
  • an elastomer is composed of a plurality of hydrocarbon polymer chains, which may have the same general orientation (e.g., substantially parallel).
  • Cross-linlcs may be formed between polymer chains when one polymer chain bonds with an adjacent polymer chain. Such cross-linlcs may occur naturally or may be initiated by a variety of means including, without limitation, exposing the elastomer to heat, pressure, radiation, or changes in pH; curing the elastomer; reacting the elastomer with catalysts; or combinations thereof.
  • the density of the cross-linlcs in an elastomeric material impacts the physical properties of the elastomeric material. For example, increasing the number of cross-linlcs between polymer chains may increase the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and resilience of the elastomeric material. Increasing the number of cross-linlcs may also increase the resistance to stress cracks, deformation, and abrasion.
  • the elastomeric stator insert (e.g., stator insert 21 or uniform radial thickness stator insert disposed on the inner surface of the stator housing) is exposed to ionizing radiation.
  • the elastomeric stator insert is preferably exposed to at least 100 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation, at least 500 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation, at least 1000 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation, at least 2500 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation, at least 5000 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation, at least 7500 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation, or at least 10,000 KiloGrays of ionizing radiation.
  • a "gray” is a unit of absorbed radiation dose of ionizing radiation, and is defined as the absorption of one joule of ionizing radiation by one kilogram of matter (e.g., elastomeric material).
  • exposing the elastomer stator insert to ionizing radiation increases the polymer chain cross-linking in the elastomeric material by breaking some polymer chains and forming cross-links with other polymer chains within the elastomeric material, thereby offering the potential to increase one or more of the following properties of the elastomeric material - the tensile strength, the Young's modulus, the resilience, the stiffness, the resistance to stress cracks, the resistance to deformation, and the resistance to abrasion.
  • ionizing radiation may increase the tensile strength of the elastomeric material to 20 MPa (or by about 50% as compared to the same elastomeric material prior to treatment with the ionizing radiation), increase the modulus to 10 MPa (or by about 100% as compared to the same elastomeric material prior to treatment with the ionizing radiation), increase the hardness to 90 Shore A (as compared to the same elastomeric material prior to treatment with the ionizing radiation), or combinations thereof.
  • the formation of cross-links in response to a given level of radiation exposure may occur at different rates, and the formation of cross-links in response to radiation exposure may occur at different levels of radiation exposure (e.g., 500 KiloGrays vs. 7500 KiloGrays).
  • any type of ionizing radiation may be applied to the elastomeric stator inserts described herein including, without limitation, alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, neutron rays, proton rays, UV rays, X-rays, and combinations thereof.
  • the ionizing radiation may be generated by any suitable means.
  • a relatively high-flux neutron source may serve as a neutron generator.
  • the ionizing radiation source may be a DC accelerator such as a Dynamitron that directs an electron beam at a target to produce high-energy X-rays.
  • system 100 includes a DC accelerator 110, an electron beam acceleration tube 118, an electron scan magnet 120, and a target 130.
  • DC accelerator 110 generates a stream or beam of electrons 115 via thermionic emission from a heated filament or cathode 111 in an electron gun 112.
  • electrodes generate an electric field that focuses the stream of electrons 115, and one or more anode electrodes accelerate and further focus the stream of electrons 115.
  • a relatively large voltage differential is applied to accelerates the electron 115 from gun 112 through beam tube 118 and scan magnet 120.
  • Scan magnet 120 provides an oscillating magnetic field that sweeps electrons 115 back and forth across a scan window 121.
  • the beam of electrons 115 is directed toward target 130, which is positioned between scan magnet 120 and elastomeric stator insert 21.
  • Target 130 is made of an element with a Z- number sufficient to produce high-energy X-rays 122 capable of forming polymer cross-linking within elastomeric stator insert 21.
  • target 130 is a water-cooled tantalum plate.
  • the elastomeric material of the stator insert (e.g., stator insert 21) and/or the stator housing (e.g., housing 25) may incorporate one or more energy activated elements that influence how the ionizing radiation affects the elastomeric material of the stator insert.
  • the energy activated elements may enhance the ionizing radiation effects, increasing the formation rate of polymer cross-linking, increase the strength of the polymer cross-links, or combinations thereof.
  • the energy activated elements comprise a material capable of emitting secondary ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, upon exposure to the initial ionizing radiation.
  • the energy activated element material is a material that increases the capture efficiency of the ionizing radiation within the stator.
  • the energy activated element(s) may be positioned in any suitable location(s) including, without limitation, incorporated within the elastomeric material, incorporated within the stator housing, incorporate in any other stator component, formed as an insert, lining, coating, or film on the stator insert, formed as an insert lining, coating, or film on the stator housing, or combinations thereof.
  • Materials that may be employed as energy activated elements include, without limitation, peroxides, coagents, vinyl containing acrylates and methacrylates, modified bismaleimides, and combinations thereof.
  • the elastomeric stator insert (e.g., stator insert 21) may be exposed to the ionizing radiation before or after being positioned (e.g., injected or installed) in the stator housing (e.g., housing 25), and before or after complete assembly of the PC device (e.g., PC device 10). Since the density of polymer cross-linking in an elastomeric material is generally directly proportional to elastomer viscosity, it may be preferable to maintain the cross-link density, and hence elastomer viscosity, relatively low prior to injection molding, transfer molding, extrusion, or compression molding of the stator insert. However, once the elastomeric stator insert is formed, the cross-link density, viscosity, and other properties may be enhanced by exposure to ionizing radiation.
  • Embodiments of elastomeric stator inserts described herein may be subject to additional processes to increase the polymer cross-linking density including, without limitation, thermal cure, pressure cure, or pH cure.
  • embodiments of elastomeric stator inserts described herein are preferably peroxide cured to further enhance polymer cross-linking. These additional processes may be applied to the elastomeric stator insert before or after exposure to ionizing radiation.
  • exposing the elastomeric stator insert to ionizing radiation may be the only process applied to increase polymer cross-linking density within the elastomeric stator insert, or may be one of many process applied to the elastomeric stator insert to increase polymer cross-linking density.
  • the ionizing radiation employed in embodiments described herein may damage molecules in addition to causing cross-linking. Such damage may increase elastomeric rigidity by breaking of polymer chains. However, such destruction of polymer chains and chemical retarders may increase the mechanical strength of the elastomeric stator insert.
  • Increased polymer cross-linking density induced by the ionizing radiation offers the potential to increase the strength, resilience, and stiffness of elastomeric stator inserts (e.g., elastomeric insert 21), as well as increase resistance to stress cracking and abrasion.
  • added cross-linking induced by ionizing radiation offers the potential to decrease wear of the stator insert due to frictional engagement with the rotor, thereby increasing the efficiency of the PC device (e.g., PC device 10) and durability of the stator insert.
  • two B3000 stators with standard nitrile elastomeric insert were sent to the IBA Industrial Inc.'s facility in Edgewood, NY to be exposed to ionizing radiation.
  • a 3 MeV Dynamitron directed a high energy electron beam at each stator.
  • a water cooled tantalum plate was interposed between the electron beam and each B3000 stator to expose each B3000 stator to ionizing X-ray radiation.
  • a first of the two B3000 stators was exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing radiation and a second of the two B3000 stators was exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing radiation.
  • Each irradiated B3000 stator was then employed in a PC motor, which was subjected to testing by way of a dynamometer and compared to a PC motor including a standard non- irradiated B3000 stator having a nitrile elastomeric insert.
  • the three PC motors tested i.e., the PC motor including the B3000 stator exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation, the PC motor including the B3000 stator exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing X- ray radiation, and the PC motor including the non-irradiated B3000 stator) were identical with the exception of the ionizing radiation treatment.
  • Figure 4 graphically displays test results showing the power produced by each PC motor tested (i.e., the PC motor including the non-irratiated B3000 stator, the PC motor including the B3000 stator exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation, and the PC motor including the B3000 stator exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation) at various differential operating pressures between 0 psi and about 500 psi.
  • PC Motor w/ Non- Irradiated Stator The power output of the PC motor including the non-irradiated B3000 stator is labeled "PC Motor w/ Non- Irradiated Stator” in the legend of Figure 4; the power output of the PC motor including the irradiated B3000 stator exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation is labeled " PC Motor w/ Irradiated Stator (180 KiloGray)" in Figure 4; and the power output of the PC motor including the irradiated B3000 stator exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation is labeled " PC Motor w/ Irradiated Stator (250 KiloGray)" in Figure 4.
  • Figure 5 graphically displays test results showing the rotational speed of the rotor of each PC motor tested and the torque output of each PC motor tested (i.e., the PC motor including the non-irratiated B3000 stator, the PC motor including the B3000 stator exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation, and the PC motor including the B3000 stator exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation) at various differential operating pressures between 0 psi and about 500 psi.
  • PC Motor w/ Non-Irradiated Stator - Torque The torque output of PC motor including the non- irradiated B3000 stator is labeled "PC Motor w/ Non-Irradiated Stator - Torque" in the legend of Figure 5; the torque output of the PC motor including the irradiated B3000 stator exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation is labeled " PC Motor w/ Irradiated Stator (180 KiloGray) - Torque” in the legend of Figure 5; and the torque output of the PC motor including the irradiated B3000 stator exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation is labeled " PC Motor w/ Irradiated Stator (250 KiloGray) - Torque” in the legend of Figure 5.
  • the rotational speed of the rotor of the PC motor including the non-irradiated B3000 stator is labeled "PC Motor w/ Non- Irradiated Stator - Speed" in the legend of Figure 5;
  • the rotational speed of the rotor of the PC motor including the irradiated B3000 stator exposed to 180 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation is labeled "PC Motor w/ Irradiated Stator (180 KiloGray) - Speed” in the legend of Figure 5;
  • the rotational speed of the rotor of the PC motor including the irradiated B3000 stator exposed to 250 KiloGray of ionizing X-ray radiation is labeled "PC Motor w/ Irradiated Stator (250 KiloGray) - Speed” in the legend of Figure 5.
  • both PC motors including X-ray treated B3000 stators exhibited a higher torque output than the PC motor including the non-irradiated B3000 stator for differential operating pressures greater than about 115 psi.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Details And Applications Of Rotary Liquid Pumps (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de fabrication d'un stator pour un moteur ou une pompe à rotor hélicoïdal excentré, qui comprend l'étape (a) consistant à façonner un insert de stator élastomère. En plus, le procédé comprend l'étape (b) consistant à exposer l'insert de stator élastomère à un rayonnement ionisant. En outre, le procédé comprend l'étape (c) consistant à placer l'insert de stator élastomère dans un bâti de stator pour constituer un stator.
PCT/US2011/061782 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Procédés et équipement pour améliorer par rayonnement les propriétés de la matière d'un insert de stator élastomère WO2012071378A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2818896A CA2818896C (fr) 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Procedes et equipement pour ameliorer par rayonnement les proprietes de la matiere d'un insert de stator elastomere
US13/989,020 US20130251572A1 (en) 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Methods and Apparatus for Enhancing Elastomeric Stator Insert Material Properties with Radiation
BR112013012886A BR112013012886A2 (pt) 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 método para fabricar um estator para um motor ou bomba de cavidade progressiva, e, bomba ou motor de cavidade progressiva

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41658910P 2010-11-23 2010-11-23
US61/416,589 2010-11-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012071378A2 true WO2012071378A2 (fr) 2012-05-31
WO2012071378A3 WO2012071378A3 (fr) 2013-07-04

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PCT/US2011/061782 WO2012071378A2 (fr) 2010-11-23 2011-11-22 Procédés et équipement pour améliorer par rayonnement les propriétés de la matière d'un insert de stator élastomère

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20130251572A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112013012886A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2818896C (fr)
WO (1) WO2012071378A2 (fr)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9610611B2 (en) 2014-02-12 2017-04-04 Baker Hughes Incorporated Method of lining an inner surface of a tubular and system for doing same
US9896885B2 (en) 2015-12-10 2018-02-20 Baker Hughes Incorporated Hydraulic tools including removable coatings, drilling systems, and methods of making and using hydraulic tools
US11148327B2 (en) 2018-03-29 2021-10-19 Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc Method for forming a mud motor stator

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US2965553A (en) * 1956-05-25 1960-12-20 Du Pont Curing of high molecular weight polymers
US3324017A (en) * 1958-06-12 1967-06-06 Sinclair Research Inc Method for copolymerizing an alkylidene bisacrylamide and an ethylenic monomer employing radiation
US5171139A (en) * 1991-11-26 1992-12-15 Smith International, Inc. Moineau motor with conduits through the stator
US6102681A (en) * 1997-10-15 2000-08-15 Aps Technology Stator especially adapted for use in a helicoidal pump/motor
US6463123B1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2002-10-08 Steris Inc. Target for production of x-rays
CA2487744A1 (fr) * 2004-11-18 2006-05-18 Lanxess Inc. Composition de caoutchouc comprenant du hnbr et durcissable avec un peroxyde
US8444901B2 (en) * 2007-12-31 2013-05-21 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Method of fabricating a high temperature progressive cavity motor or pump component
US7941906B2 (en) * 2007-12-31 2011-05-17 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Progressive cavity apparatus with transducer and methods of forming and use

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2818896C (fr) 2016-01-12
CA2818896A1 (fr) 2012-05-31
US20130251572A1 (en) 2013-09-26
BR112013012886A2 (pt) 2016-09-06
WO2012071378A3 (fr) 2013-07-04

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