A DEVICE FOR DIRECTING THE FLOW OF A FLUID USING A CENTRIFUGAL
SWITCH
Technical Field
[0001] A device for directing the flow of a fluid
is provided. In certain embodiments, the device directs the
fluid based on the density or viscosity of the fluid. According
to an embodiment, the device is used in a flow regulator.
According to another embodiment, the flow regulator is used in a
subterranean formation.
Summary
[0002] According to an embodiment, a device for
directing the flow of a fluid comprises: a fluid chamber; a
first outlet; a second outlet; a first outlet fluid passageway,
wherein the first outlet fluid passageway is operatively
connected to the first outlet; and a second outlet fluid
passageway, wherein the second outlet fluid passageway is
operatively connected to the second outlet; wherein the fluid
rotationally flows about the inside of the chamber, and wherein
the fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway
conjoins with the fluid flowing through the second outlet fluid
passageway at a point downstream of the first and second outlet.
[0003] According to another embodiment, depending
on at least one of the properties of the fluid, the fluid
rotationally flows closer to the outside of the chamber, closer
to the center of the chamber, or closer to the outside and
closer to the center of the chamber. The at least one of the
properties can be density or viscosity.
[0004] According to another embodiment, a device
for directing the flow of a fluid comprises: a sensor; a first
outlet connected to the sensor; a second outlet connected to the
sensor; a first outlet fluid passageway, wherein the first
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to the first
outlet; and a second outlet fluid passageway, wherein the second
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to the second
outlet; wherein as the total number of phases of the fluid
increases, the sensor directs at least a first phase of the
fluid into the first outlet fluid passageway and directs at
least a second phase of the fluid into the second outlet fluid
passageway, and wherein the fluid flowing through the first
outlet fluid passageway conjoins with the fluid flowing through
the second outlet fluid passageway at a point downstream of the
first and second outlet.
Brief Description of the Figures
[0005] The features and advantages of certain
embodiments will be more readily appreciated when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are not
to be construed as limiting any of the preferred embodiments.
[0006] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a device for
directing the flow of a fluid.
[0007] Figs. 2A and 2B illustrates rotational flow
of a fluid within a chamber of the device in two different
directions .
[0008] Fig. 3 is a diagram of the device comprising
fluid directors for inducing rotational flow of a fluid within
the chamber .
[0009] Fig. 4 is a diagram of a system comprising
one device for directing the flow of a fluid and a bypass
passageway .
[0010] Fig. 5 is a diagram of a system comprising
two devices for directing the flow of a fluid.
[0011] Fig. 6 is a diagram of a system comprising
two devices for directing the flow of a fluid and a bypass
passageway .
[0012] Fig. 7 is a well system containing at least
one flow regulator comprising the device for directing the flow
of a fluid.
Detailed Description
[0013] A s used herein, the words "comprise,"
"have," "include," and all grammatical variations thereof are
each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does
not exclude additional elements or steps.
[0014] It should be understood that, as used
herein, "first," "second," "third," etc., are arbitrarily
assigned and are merely intended to differentiate between two or
more passageways, devices, etc., as the case may be, and does
not indicate any sequence. Furthermore, it is to be understood
that the mere use of the term "first" does not require that
there be any "second, " and the mere use of the term "second"
does not require that there be any "third," etc.
[0015] A s used herein, a "fluid" is a substance
having a continuous phase that tends to flow and to conform to
the outline of its container when the substance is tested at a
temperature of 71 °F (22 °C) and a pressure of one atmosphere
"atm" (0.1 megapascals "MPa") . A fluid can be a liquid or gas.
A homogenous fluid has only one phase, whereas a heterogeneous
fluid has more than one distinct phase. One of the physical
properties of a fluid is its density. Density is the mass per
unit of volume of a substance, commonly expressed in units of
pounds per gallon (ppg) or kilograms per liter (kg/L) . Fluids
can have different densities. For example, the density of
deionized water is approximately 1 kg/L; whereas the density of
crude oil is approximately 865 kg/L. A homogenous fluid will
have only one density; however, a heterogeneous fluid will have
at least two different densities. For example, one of the
phases in a heterogeneous fluid will have a specific density and
each of the other phases in the heterogeneous fluid will have a
different density. Another physical property of a fluid is its
viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid
to flow, defined as the ratio of shear stress to shear rate.
Viscosity can be expressed in units of (force*t ime )/area . For
example, viscosity can be expressed in units of dyne*s/cm 2
(commonly referred to as Poise (P) ), or expressed in units of
Pascals/second (Pa/s) . However, because a material that has a
viscosity of 1 P is a relatively viscous material, viscosity is
more commonly expressed in units of centipoise (cP) , which is
1/100 P .
[0016] Oil and gas hydrocarbons are naturally
occurring in some subterranean formations. A subterranean
formation containing oil or gas is sometimes referred to as a
reservoir. A reservoir may be located under land or off shore.
Reservoirs are typically located in the range of a few hundred
feet (shallow reservoirs) to a few tens of thousands of feet
(ultra-deep reservoirs) . In order to produce oil or gas, a
wellbore is drilled into a reservoir or adjacent to a reservoir.
[0017] A well can include, without limitation, an
oil, gas, water, or injection well. A well used to produce oil
or gas is generally referred to as a production well. A s used
herein, a "well" includes at least one wellbore. A wellbore can
include vertical, inclined, and horizontal portions, and it can
be straight, curved, or branched. A s used herein, the term
"wellbore" includes any cased, and any uncased, open-hole
portion of the wellbore. A s used herein, "into a well" means
and includes into any portion of the well, including into the
wellbore or into a near-wellbore region via the wellbore.
[0018] A portion of a wellbore may be an open hole
or cased hole. In an open-hole wellbore portion, a tubing
string may be placed into the wellbore. The tubing string
allows fluids to be introduced into or flowed from a remote
portion of the wellbore. In a cased-hole wellbore portion, a
casing is placed into the wellbore which can also contain a
tubing string. A wellbore can contain an annulus . Examples of
an annulus include, but are not limited to: the space between
the wellbore and the outside of a tubing string in an open-hole
wellbore; the space between the wellbore and the outside of a
casing in a cased-hole wellbore; and the space between the
inside of a casing and the outside of a tubing string in a
cased-hole wellbore.
[0019] A wellbore can extend several hundreds of
feet or several thousands of feet into a subterranean formation.
The subterranean formation can have different zones. For
example, one zone can have a higher permeability compared to
another zone. Permeability refers to how easily fluids can flow
through a material. For example, if the permeability is high,
then fluids will flow more easily and more quickly through the
subterranean formation. If the permeability is low, then fluids
will flow less easily and more slowly through the subterranean
formation. One example of a highly permeable zone in a
subterranean formation is a fissure or fracture. The flow rate
of a fluid from a subterranean formation into a wellbore or from
a wellbore into a formation within one zone may vary. Moreover,
the flow rate of a fluid may be greater in one zone compared to
another zone. A difference in flow rates within one zone or
between zones in a subterranean formation may be undesirable.
[0020] During production operations, another common
problem is the production of an undesired fluid along with the
production of a desired fluid. For example, water production is
when water (the undesired fluid) is produced along with oil or
gas (the desired fluid) . By way of another example, gas may be
the undesired fluid while oil is the desired fluid. In yet
another example, gas may be the desired fluid while water and
oil are the undesired fluid. It is beneficial to produce as
little of the undesired fluid as possible.
[0021] During secondary recovery operations, an
injection well can be used for water flooding. Water flooding
is where water is injected into the reservoir to displace oil or
gas that was not produced during primary recovery operations.
The water from the injection well physically sweeps some of the
remaining oil or gas in the reservoir to a production well.
Potential problems associated with water flooding techniques can
include inefficient recovery due to variable permeability in a
subterranean formation and a difference in flow rates of a fluid
from the injection well into the subterranean formation.
[0022] A flow regulator can be used to help
overcome some of these problems. A flow regulator can be used
to regulate the flow of a fluid. For a single stream of fluid
entering a flow regulator, the regulator can help decrease the
flow rate of the fluid exiting the regulator or restrict the
volume of fluid exiting the regulator. When two or more
separate streams of fluid enter a flow regulator, the regulator
can be designed such that the flow rate or total volume of one
of the streams can be restricted compared to the other streams
when exiting the regulator. By way of example, when a desired
homogenous fluid is flowing through the regulator, the regulator
can deliver a relatively constant volume of the desired fluid
upon exit. However, if an undesired fluid also starts flowing
into the regulator, along with the desired fluid, then the
regulator can restrict the total volume of the undesired fluid
exiting with little change to the volume of the desired fluid
exiting the regulator.
[0023] A novel device for directing the flow of a
fluid uses at least one property of the fluid to direct the flow
of the fluid into at least one fluid outlet. According to an
embodiment, the at least one property is density or viscosity.
[0024] According to an embodiment, a device for
directing the flow of a fluid comprises: a fluid chamber; a
first outlet; a second outlet; a first outlet fluid passageway,
wherein the first outlet fluid passageway is operatively
connected to the first outlet; and a second outlet fluid
passageway, wherein the second outlet fluid passageway is
operatively connected to the second outlet; wherein the fluid
rotationally flows about the inside of the chamber, and wherein
the fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway
conjoins with the fluid flowing through the second outlet fluid
passageway at a point downstream of the first and second outlet.
As used herein, the term "downstream" means a location that is
further away from another location in the direction of fluid
flow out of the chamber and through a fluid passageway.
[0025] The device for directing the flow of the
fluid is designed to be an independent device, i.e., it is
designed to automatically direct the fluid to flow into either
the first or second outlets based on at least the density or
viscosity of the fluid, without any external intervention.
[0026] The components o f the device for directing
the flow o f a fluid can b e made from a variety o f materials.
Examples o f suitable materials include, but are not limited to:
metals, such a s steel, aluminum, titanium, and nickel; alloys;
plastics; composites, such a s fiber reinforced phenolic;
ceramics, such a s tungsten carbide or alumina; elastomers; and
dissolvable materials.
[0027] Turning t o the Figures. Fig. 1 i s a diagram
o f the device for directing the flow o f a fluid 100. The device
100 includes a fluid chamber. A s used herein, a "chamber" means
a volume surrounded b y a structure, where the structure has at
least two openings. One o f the openings can b e a fluid inlet
and the other opening can b e a fluid outlet. The fluid flows
rotationally about the inside o f the chamber. According t o an
embodiment, the chamber i s designed such that a fluid i s capable
o f rotationally flowing about the inside o f the chamber. For
example, the shape o f the chamber can b e designed such that the
fluid rotational flows or i s capable o f rotationally flowing
about the inside o f the chamber. The shape o f the chamber can
b e circular, rounded, orbicular, elliptical, cylinoidal,
cylindrical, polygonal, frustrum, or conical.
[0028] According t o an embodiment, depending on at
least one o f the properties o f the fluid, the fluid rotationally
flows closer t o the outside o f the chamber, closer t o the center
o f the chamber, or closer t o the outside and closer t o the
center o f the chamber. The at least one o f the properties o f
the fluid can b e density or viscosity. For example, the density
or viscosity o f a homogenous fluid dictates the location within
the chamber the fluid will rotationally flow (e.g., closer t o
the outside o f the chamber or closer t o the inside o f the
chamber) . B y way o f another example, the different densities or
the different viscosities o f the phases o f a heterogeneous fluid
dictates the location within the chamber each phase o f the fluid
will rotationally flow (e.g., closer t o the outside o f the
chamber for one o f the phases and closer t o the center o f the
chamber for another one o f the phases) .
[0029] During rotational flow, a fluid having a
higher density or higher viscosity will b e forced farther
towards the outside (i.e., the circumference or the perimeter)
o f the chamber compared t o a fluid having a lower density or
lower viscosity. This i s due in part, t o the increased effect
that centripetal and reactive centrifugal forces have on the
greater mass or viscosity o f the higher density/viscosity fluid.
A s used herein, the term "outside" means the circumference or
perimeter o f the chamber. According t o an embodiment, the phase
o f the fluid having a higher density or higher viscosity
rotationally flows closer t o the outside o f the chamber and the
phase o f the fluid having a lower density or lower viscosity
rotationally flows closer t o the center o f the chamber. While
the higher density fluid will flow farther towards the outside
o f the chamber, the lower density fluid will flow closer towards
the center o f the chamber.
[0030] For a homogenous fluid, the location o f the
fluid flow (i.e., closer towards the outside or closer towards
the center o f the chamber) will b e dictated b y the density or
viscosity o f the fluid, and thus, the fluid will tend t o flow in
one location rotationally about the inside o f the chamber. For
a heterogeneous fluid, the flow location o f each phase o f the
fluid will b e dictated b y the distinct density or viscosity for
each phase. For example, a heterogeneous fluid having three
phases with the magnitude o f densities or viscosities o f the
phases being in order of: phase 1 < phase 2 < phase 3 , means
that phase 3 will flow the closest towards the outside o f the
chamber, phase 1 will flow the closest towards the center o f the
chamber, and phase 2 will flow somewhere in between phase 3 and
phase 1 . Of course, the exact location of the different phases
will be dictated by the actual density or viscosity of each
phase. In the preceding example, if the density of phase 2 is
closer in value to the density of phase 1 compared to phase 3 ,
then phase 2 will flow closer towards phase 1 about the inside
of the chamber and vice versa. The preceding statement is also
true for the different viscosities of each phase.
[0031] The device 100 can further include at least
one inlet 101. The chamber can be operatively connected to a
first fluid passageway 201 via the first inlet 101. In this
manner, a fluid can enter the chamber via the first fluid
passageway 201 through the first inlet 101. The fluid can be a
homogenous fluid or a heterogeneous fluid. The chamber can be
connected to the first fluid passageway 201 in a variety of
ways. For example, and as depicted in some of the figures, the
first fluid passageway 201 is connected to the chamber such that
the fluid can enter the chamber in a tangential direction
relative to a radius of the chamber. The first fluid passageway
201 can also be connected to the chamber such that the fluid can
enter the chamber in a radial direction or an axial direction
relative to a radius of the chamber. For example, Fig. 3
depicts the first fluid passageway 201 connected to the chamber
such that the fluid enters the chamber in a radial direction
relative to a radius of the chamber. Preferably, the first
fluid passageway 201 is connected to the chamber in a manner
such that the fluid, upon entering the chamber, is induced to
flow in a rotational direction about the inside of the chamber.
[0032] According to another embodiment, both the
manner in which the first fluid passageway 201 is connected to
the chamber and the design of the chamber work in tandem to
induce rotational flow of the fluid about the inside of the
chamber. By way of example, if the first fluid passageway 201
is connected to the chamber such that the fluid enters the
chamber tangent ially, then the only design consideration may be
the shape of the chamber. By way of another example, if the
first fluid passageway 201 is connected to the chamber such that
the fluid enters the chamber radially or axially, then the
chamber may need to include design elements in addition to the
shape of the chamber. An example of a design element in
addition to shape includes, but is not limited to, at least one
fluid director 131, shown in Fig. 3 . According to an
embodiment, the fluid director 131 induces rotational flow of
the fluid about the inside of the chamber. For example, the
fluid director 131 can have a shape such that the fluid, upon
entering the chamber, is induced to flow rotationally about the
inside of the chamber. At least one edge of the fluid director
131 can induce rotational flow in the direction of i (such as by
being curved) . Additionally, another edge can inhibit flow of
the fluid in a radial direction or in a direction other than i
(such as by being relatively straight-sided) .
[0033] The first fluid passageway 201 (and any
other passageways) can be tubular, rectangular, pyramidal, or
curlicue in shape. Although illustrated as a single passageway,
the first fluid passageway 201 (and any other passageway) could
feature multiple passageways connected in parallel.
[0034] The device includes at least one first
outlet 111 and at least one second outlet 112. The device can
include more than one of each outlet. As depicted in Figs. 2A
and 2B, the device includes three second outlets 112. Any
discussion of a particular component of the device 100 (e.g., a
second outlet 112) is meant to include the singular form of the
component and also the plural form of the component, without the
need to continually refer to the component in both the singular
and plural form throughout. For example, if a discussion
involves "the second outlet 112, " it is to be understood that
the discussion pertains to one second outlet (singular) and two
or more second outlets (plural) . The first or second outlets
111/112 can be positioned at different distances from the center
of the chamber 100. For example, if there are two or more
second outlets 112, then each of the second outlets 112 can be
located at a different distance from the center of the chamber
100.
[0035] According to an embodiment, the first outlet
111 is positioned within the chamber at a location in the center
or closer to the center of the chamber. If a fluid is
rotationally flowing closer to the center of the chamber, then
at least some of this fluid can exit the chamber via the first
outlet 111. Preferably, the majority of a fluid flowing closer
to the center will exit the chamber via the first outlet 111.
According to another embodiment, the second outlet 112 is
positioned within the chamber at a location closer to the
outside of the chamber. If a fluid is rotationally flowing
closer to the outside of the chamber, then at least some of this
fluid can exit the chamber via the second outlet 112.
Preferably, the majority of a fluid flowing closer to the
circumference will exit the chamber via the second outlet 112.
[0036] The outlets 111/112 can be oriented within
the chamber in relation to the direction of fluid rotation. As
can be seen in Fig. 2A, the first fluid passageway 201 is
positioned relative to the chamber such that a fluid can enter
the chamber and rotationally flow about the inside of the
chamber in the direction of i . When the fluid is rotationally
flowing in the direction of di, then the outlets 111/112 should
be positioned adjacent to the direction of fluid exit (shown on
the right-hand side of the chamber) . As can be seen in Fig. 2B,
the first fluid passageway 201 is positioned relative to the
chamber such that a fluid can enter the chamber and rotationally
flow about the inside of the chamber in the direction of 2 .
When the fluid is rotationally flowing in the direction of d.2 ,
then the outlets 111/112 should be positioned adjacent to the
direction of fluid exit (shown on the left-hand side of the
chamber) .
[0037] One of the advantages to the device for
directing the flow of a fluid 100 is that the device does not
need to be oriented with gravity in order for the chamber to
direct the fluid into one or more of the fluid outlets 111/112
based on a property of the fluid. Because the device 100 does
not need to be oriented with gravity, the device 100 is simpler
in design and easier to install in a wellbore compared to other
fluid directors that d o need to be oriented with gravity. For
example, the device 100 does not need to contain parts, such as
floats or weights, for determining an orientation with gravity.
Moreover, the lack of gravity orientation allows for more
versatility in installation and positioning of the device 100
within a wellbore.
[0038] It should be understood that the chamber is
designed to direct the fluid into a rotational flow path about
the inside of the chamber at one or more locations within the
chamber based on at least one property of a homogenous fluid or
a difference in the properties of each phase of a heterogeneous
fluid. For a heterogeneous fluid, each phase may have a
different density or viscosity compared to the other phases.
For a heterogeneous fluid, the device is most preferably for use
with a fluid wherein each of the phases have a different density
compared to the other phases, but wherein each of the phases
have a similar viscosity compared to the other phases. Some
examples of heterogeneous fluids that have different densities
but similar viscosities include, but are not limited to: a water
and gas mixture; an oil and water mixture; a natural gas and
carbon dioxide mixture; and a gas and gas condensate mixture.
[0039] The chamber can further include at least one
first outlet fluid passageway 121 and at least one second outlet
fluid passageway 122. Preferably, the first outlet fluid
passageway 121 is connected to the first outlet 111.
Preferably, the second outlet fluid passageway 122 is connected
to the second outlet 112. If there is more than one outlet
(e.g., two or more second outlets), then each outlet can be
connected to two or more passageways (e.g., two or more second
outlet fluid passageways) or all of the outlets can be connected
to only one passageway. The fluid velocity or flow rate will
vary in each of the passageways 121/122 depending, in part, on
the at least one of the properties of the fluid in each of the
passageways. Assuming the passageways are identical (e.g.,
having the same dimensions and angles of any bends in the
passageway) , the fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid
passageway 121 will have a particular flow rate and the fluid
flowing through the second outlet fluid passageway 122 will have
a different flow rate based on the difference in properties of
the fluids. For example, if the fluid flowing through the
second outlet fluid passageway 122 has a density that is greater
than the fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway
121, then the flow rate of the fluid through the second outlet
fluid passageway 122 will be greater than the flow rate of the
fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway 121. Of
course, the diameter of any of the passageways or the angle of
any bends in the passageways can be adjusted to help control the
flow rate of a fluid through that particular passageway.
[0040] According to an embodiment, the fluid
flowing through the first and second outlet fluid passageways
121/122 conjoins at a junction 301. The junction 301 can be a
vortex triode or a switch. The first and second outlet fluid
passageways 121/122 can terminate at the junction. The first
and second outlet fluid passageways 121/122 can also be
operatively connected to the junction. A s can be seen in Figs.
1 and 3 , the first outlet fluid passageway 121 and the second
outlet fluid passageway 122 terminate at the junction 301.
According to another embodiment, additional fluid passageways
can also terminate at the junction 301. For example, Fig. 4
illustrates a fourth fluid passageway 204 terminating at the
junction 301 in addition to the first outlet fluid passageway
121 and the second outlet fluid passageway 122. According to
this embodiment, the fourth fluid passageway 204 can bypass the
device 100 such that any fluid flowing into the fourth fluid
passageway 204 directly enters the junction 301. There may be
several reasons why a bypass passageway is beneficial. One
example of such a reason is when the fluid is relatively
viscous. For relatively viscous fluids, the bypass passageway
204 can allow for a decreased pressure drop in the system
compared to when all of the fluid enters the chamber.
[0041] The flow rate of the fluid entering the
junction 301 will depend on the flow rate of the fluid in each
passageway. For example, the higher the flow rate of a fluid
flowing through a particular passageway, the higher the flow
rate that fluid will enter the junction 301. Thus, for similar
passageways (e.g., dimensions and angle of bends), the fluid
flowing through the second outlet fluid passageway 122 will
enter the junction 301 at a greater flow rate compared to the
fluid flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway 121.
[0042] According to an embodiment, a device for
directing the flow of a fluid comprises: a sensor; a first
outlet connected to the sensor; a second outlet connected to the
sensor; a first outlet fluid passageway, wherein the first
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to the first
outlet; and a second outlet fluid passageway, wherein the second
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to the second
outlet; wherein as the total number of phases of the fluid
increases, the sensor directs at least a first phase of the
fluid into the first outlet fluid passageway and directs at
least a second phase of the fluid into the second outlet fluid
passageway, and wherein the fluid flowing through the first
outlet fluid passageway conjoins with the fluid flowing through
the second outlet fluid passageway at a point downstream of the
first and second outlet. The sensor can be a centrifugal
chamber .
[0043] The device for directing the flow of a fluid
100 can be used in any system. A n example of a system is a flow
regulator 25, illustrated in Fig. 7 . The system can comprise:
the device for directing the flow of a fluid 100; a first fluid
passageway 201; a second fluid passageway 202; and a third fluid
passageway 203. The system can also include an exit assembly
(not shown) . The exit assembly can be a vortex triode. The
system can also include a fourth fluid passageway 204.
[0044] Figs. 1 , 3 , and 4 show the system comprising
one device 100. Figs. 5 and 6 depict the system comprising two
devices 100. The system can also include more than two devices
100. A s can be seen in Fig. 5 , the system includes two devices
100, wherein each device is connected to the first fluid
passageway 201 without a bypass passageway. A s can be seen in
Fig. 6 , the system includes two devices 100, wherein each device
and a bypass passageway 204 are connected to the first fluid
passageway 201. The fluid passageways can be connected in a
variety of ways. Each of the devices 100 can be connected to
the first fluid passageway 201 in the same manner or a different
manner. For example, a first device 100 can be connected to the
first fluid passageway 201 such that the fluid enters the
chamber tangentially while a second device 100 can be connected
such that the fluid enters the chamber radially or axially with
respect to an axis of the chamber. According to an embodiment,
the first outlet fluid passageway 121 of the second device 100
and the second outlet fluid passageway 122 of the first device
terminate at the junction 301. According to another embodiment,
the second outlet fluid passageway 122 of the second device 100
and the first outlet fluid passageway 121 of the first device
join together at a section of passageway that then terminates at
the junction 301. According to yet another embodiment, the
second outlet fluid passageway 122 of the second device 100, the
first outlet fluid passageway 121 of the first device, and the
bypass passageway 204 join together at a section of passageway
that then terminates at the junction 301.
[0045] Any of the passageways 121, 122, or 204 can
be connected directly to the exit assembly (not shown) . Any of
the passageways 121, 122, or 204 can be operatively connected to
the exit assembly via the junction 301 or other intermediary
passageways. According to an embodiment, the junction 301 can
be connected to the second fluid passageway 202 and the third
fluid passageway 203. According to this embodiment, the second
fluid passageway 202 and the third fluid passageway 203 are
connected to the exit assembly. According to another
embodiment, the second fluid passageway 202 and the third fluid
passageway 203 can branch at a branching point 210. The
passageways 202/203 can branch at a variety of angles q i and Q2 .
Preferably, the passageways 202/203 are connected to the
junction 301 such that depending on the flow rate of the fluid
entering the junction 301 via the first outlet fluid passageway
121 and/or the second outlet fluid passageway 122, the fluid is
directed into one or both of the passageways 202/203. For
example, if one fluid is flowing through the second outlet fluid
passageway 122 at a higher velocity compared to another fluid
that is flowing through the first outlet fluid passageway 121,
then at least some of the fluid entering the junction 301 via
the second outlet fluid passageway 122 can be directed into the
second fluid passageway 202. Conversely, the fluid entering the
junction 301 via the first outlet fluid passageway 121 can be
directed into the third fluid passageway 203. Most preferably,
in the above example, a majority of the fluid entering the
junction 301 via the second outlet fluid passageway 122 is
directed into the second fluid passageway 202, while a majority
of the fluid entering the junction 301 via the first outlet
fluid passageway 121 is directed into the third fluid passageway
203. A s used herein, the term "majority" means greater than
50% .
[0046] According to an embodiment, the passageways
202/203 are connected to an exit assembly. According to this
embodiment, the exit assembly is preferably capable of
regulating the flow rate of the fluid exiting the assembly. By
way of example, the exit assembly may be designed such that a
constant flow rate of fluid will exit the assembly even though
the flow rate of the fluid entering the assembly via the
passageways 202/203 may be different.
[0047] A desired flow rate of a fluid exiting the
exit assembly can be predetermined. The predetermined flow rate
can be selected based on the type of fluid entering the device.
The predetermined flow rate can differ based on the type of the
fluid. The predetermined flow rate can also be selected based
on a property of the fluid entering the device 100. For
example, depending on the specific application, the desired flow
rate of a gas-based fluid may be predetermined to be 150 barrels
per day (BPD) ; whereas, the desired flow rate of an oil-based
fluid may be predetermined to be 300 BPD. Of course, one device
100 can be designed with a predetermined flow rate of 150 BPD
and another device 100 can be designed with a predetermined flow
rate of 300 BPD. Moreover, if more than one device 100 is used
in a system, then each of the devices 100 can be designed with a
different predetermined flow rate.
[0048] The system can be designed to cooperatively
interact with the device 100 to regulate a fluid exiting the
system. The following examples are not the only examples that
could be used to illustrate the cooperative interaction. When a
homogonous fluid having a low density enters the chamber, the
fluid will tend to flow rotationally about the inside of the
chamber closer to the center of the chamber. At least some of
the fluid and more preferably, the majority of the fluid, will
exit the chamber via the first outlet 111 and flow into the
first outlet fluid passageway 121 towards the junction 301.
Because of the lower density of the fluid, the flow rate of the
fluid entering the junction 301 can be relatively low, thus
causing the fluid to increasingly flow into the third fluid
passageway 203. As such, the flow regulator can have little
effect on restricting the fluid exiting the regulator. As the
density of the homogenous fluid increases, the fluid entering
the chamber will increasingly flow rotationally about the inside
of the chamber at a location closer to the outside of the
chamber. The fluid will then increasingly exit the chamber via
the second outlet 112 and flow into the second outlet fluid
passageway 122 towards the junction 301. Because of the
increased density, the flow rate of the fluid entering the
junction 301 will be greater than any fluid entering via the
first outlet fluid passageway 121. As a result, the fluid will
increasingly flow into the second fluid passageway 202.
[0049] The device can be used to detect a phase
change of a fluid entering the system. For example, if oil is
being produced, the device can be used to detect the onset of
water production along with the oil and direct each phase of the
fluid (e.g., the water and the oil) into two or more fluid
passageways. In this example, if the fluid entering the system
becomes a heterogeneous fluid, then the fluid will enter the
chamber and rotationally flow about the inside of the chamber.
Each phase of the fluid will then be directed to a particular
location within the chamber based on at least one property of
each of the phases. For example, the higher-density phase will
tend to exit the chamber via the second outlet 112 and flow into
the second outlet fluid passageway 122, while the lower-density
phase will tend to exit the chamber via the first outlet 111 and
flow into the first outlet fluid passageway 121. A s mentioned
above, the flow rate of the fluid in the second outlet fluid
passageway 122 will tend to be greater than the flow rate of the
fluid in the first outlet fluid passageway 121. A s a result,
more of the fluid will enter the second fluid passageway 202 and
less of the fluid will enter the third fluid passageway 203.
The exit assembly can then function to restrict the total volume
of the water exiting the system, but not restrict the total
volume of oil exiting the system based on the amount of fluid
entering the exit assembly via the passageways 202/203.
[0050] According to an embodiment, the system is a
flow regulator 25. According to another embodiment, the flow
regulator is used in a subterranean formation. A flow regulator
25 used in a subterranean formation is illustrated in Fig. 7 .
[0051] Fig. 7 is a well system 10 which can
encompass certain embodiments. A s depicted in Fig. 7 , a
wellbore 12 has a generally vertical uncased section 14
extending downwardly from a casing 16, as well as a generally
horizontal uncased section 18 extending through a subterranean
formation 20. The subterranean formation 20 can be a portion of
a reservoir or adjacent to a reservoir.
[0052] A tubing string 22 (such as a production
tubing string) is installed in the wellbore 12. Interconnected
in the tubing string 22 are multiple well screens 24, flow
regulators 25, and packers 26.
[0053] The packers 26 seal off an annulus 28 formed
radially between the tubing string 22 and the wellbore section
18. In this manner, a fluid 30 may be produced from multiple
zones of the formation 20 via isolated portions of the annulus
28 between adjacent pairs of the packers 26.
[0054] Positioned between each adjacent pair of the
packers 26, a well screen 24 and a flow regulator 25 are
interconnected in the tubing string 22. The well screen 24
filters the fluid 30 flowing into the tubing string 22 from the
annulus 28. The flow regulator 25 regulates the flow rate of
the fluid 30 into the tubing string 22, based on certain
characteristics of the fluid, e.g., the density of the fluid.
In another embodiment, the well system 10 is an injection well
and the flow regulator 25 regulates the flow rate of fluid 30
out of the tubing string 22 and into the formation 20.
[0055] It should be noted that the well system 10
is illustrated in the drawings and is described herein as merely
one example of a wide variety of well systems in which the
principles of this disclosure can be utilized. It should be
clearly understood that the principles of this disclosure are
not limited to any of the details of the well system 10, or
components thereof, depicted in the drawings or described
herein. Furthermore, the well system 10 can include other
components not depicted in the drawing. For example, cement may
be used instead of packers 26 to isolate different zones.
Cement may also be used in addition to packers 26.
[0056] By way of another example, the wellbore 12
can include only a generally vertical wellbore section 14 or can
include only a generally horizontal wellbore section 18. The
fluid 30 can be produced from the formation 20, the fluid could
also be injected into the formation, and the fluid could be both
injected into and produced from the formation.
[0057] The well system does not need to include a
packer 26. Also, it is not necessary for only one well screen
24 and only one flow regulator 25 to be positioned between each
adjacent pair of the packers 26. It is also not necessary for a
single flow regulator 25 to be used in conjunction with a single
well screen 24. Any number, arrangement and/or combination of
these components may be used. Moreover, it is not necessary for
any flow regulator 25 to be used in conjunction with a well
screen 24. For example, in injection wells, the injected fluid
could be flowed through a flow regulator 25, without also
flowing through a well screen 24. There can be multiple flow
regulators 25 connected in fluid parallel or series.
[0058] It is not necessary for the well screens 24,
flow regulator 25, packers 26 or any other components of the
tubing string 22 to be positioned in uncased sections 14, 18 of
the wellbore 12. Any section of the wellbore 12 may be cased or
uncased, and any portion of the tubing string 22 may be
positioned in an uncased or cased section of the wellbore, in
keeping with the principles of this disclosure.
[0059] It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that it would be beneficial to be able to regulate the
flow rate of the fluid 30 entering into the tubing string 22
from each zone of the formation 20, for example, to prevent
water coning 32 or gas coning 34 in the formation. Other uses
for flow regulation in a well include, but are not limited to,
balancing production from (or injection into) multiple zones,
minimizing production or injection of undesired fluids,
maximizing production or injection of desired fluids, etc.
[0060] The flow regulator 25 can be positioned in
the tubing string 22 in a manner such that the fluid 30 enters
the first fluid passageway 201 and travels into the chamber via
the fluid inlet 101. For example, in a production well, the
regulator 25 may be positioned such that the first fluid
passageway 201 is functionally oriented towards the formation
20. Therefore, as the fluid 30 flows from the formation 20 into
the tubing string 22, the fluid 30 will enter the first fluid
passageway 201. By way of another example, in an injection
well, the regulator 25 may be positioned such that the first
fluid passageway 201 is functionally oriented towards the tubing
string 22. Therefore, as the fluid 30 flows from the tubing
string 22 into the formation 20, the fluid 30 will enter the
first fluid passageway 201.
[0061] An advantage for when the device for
directing the flow of a fluid 100 is used in a flow regulator 25
in a subterranean formation 20, is that it can help regulate the
flow rate of a fluid within a particular zone and also regulate
the flow rates of a fluid between two or more zones. Another
advantage is that the device 100 can help solve the problem of
production of a heterogeneous fluid. For example, if oil is the
desired fluid to be produced, the device 100 can be designed
such that if water enters the flow regulator 25 along with the
oil, then the device 100 can direct the oil to increasingly flow
into the second fluid passageway 202 based on the higher density
of the oil compared to water. The versatility of the device 100
allows for specific problems in a formation to be addressed.
[0062] Therefore, the present invention is well
adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as
those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments
disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention
may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent
manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit
of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown,
other than as described in the claims below. It is, therefore,
evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed
above may be altered or modified and all such variations are
considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
While compositions and methods are described in terms of
"comprising, " "containing, " or "including" various components or
steps, the compositions and methods also can "consist
essentially of" or "consist of" the various components and
steps. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an
upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range
falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In
particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to
about b ," or, equivalent ly, "from approximately a to b ," or,
equivalent ly, "from approximately a to b") disclosed herein is
to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed
within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the
claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise
explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the
indefinite articles "a" or "an", as used in the claims, are
defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that
it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word
or term in this specification and one or more patent (s) or other
documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the
definitions that are consistent with this specification should
be adopted .

WHAT I S CLAIMED I S :
1 . A device for directing the flow of a fluid comprises:
a fluid chamber;
a first outlet;
a second outlet;
a first outlet fluid passageway, wherein the first
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to
the first outlet; and
a second outlet fluid passageway, wherein the second
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to
the second outlet;
wherein the fluid rotationally flows about the inside
of the chamber, and
wherein the fluid flowing through the first outlet
fluid passageway conjoins with the fluid flowing
through the second outlet fluid passageway at a point
downstream of the first and second outlet.
2 . The device according to Claim 1 , wherein the shape of the
chamber is selected such that the fluid rotationally flows about
the inside of the chamber.
3 . The device according to Claim 1 , wherein depending on at
least one of the properties of the fluid, the fluid rotationally
flows closer to the outside of the chamber, closer to the center
of the chamber, or closer to the outside and closer to the
center of the chamber.
4 . The device according to Claim 3 , wherein the at least one
of the properties of the fluid is density or viscosity.
5 . The device according to Claim 4 , wherein as the density or
the viscosity of the fluid increases, the fluid increasingly
flows closer to the outside of the chamber and wherein as the
density or the viscosity of the fluid decreases, the fluid
increasingly flows closer to the center of the chamber.
6 . The device according to Claim 4 , wherein the fluid is a
heterogeneous fluid.
7 . The device according to Claim 6 , wherein the phase of the
fluid having a higher density or higher viscosity rotationally
flows closer to the outside of the chamber and the phase of the
fluid having a lower density or lower viscosity rotationally
flows closer to the center of the chamber.
8 . The device according to Claim 1 , wherein the chamber
further comprises an inlet.
9 . The device according to Claim 8 , further comprising a first
fluid passageway, wherein the first fluid passageway is
operatively connected to the chamber via the inlet.
10. The device according to Claim 9 , wherein the first fluid
passageway is connected to the chamber such that the fluid can
enter the chamber in a tangential direction relative to a radius
of the chamber.
11. The device according to Claim 9 , wherein the first fluid
passageway is connected to the chamber such that the fluid can
enter the chamber in a radial direction or an axial direction
relative to a radius of the chamber.
12. The device according to Claim 11, further comprising at
least one fluid director.
13. The device according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one
fluid director induces rotational flow of the fluid about the
inside of the chamber.
14. The device according to Claim 1 , wherein at least some of
the fluid rotationally flowing closer to the outside of the
chamber exits the chamber via the second outlet and wherein at
least some of the fluid rotationally flowing closer to the
center of the chamber exits the chamber via the first outlet.
15. The device according to Claim 1 , wherein the majority of
the fluid rotationally flowing closer to the outside of the
chamber exits the chamber via the second outlet and wherein the
majority of the fluid rotationally flowing closer to the center
of the chamber exits the chamber via the first outlet.
16. The device according to Claim 1 , wherein the fluid flowing
through the first and second outlet fluid passageways conjoins
at a junction.
17. The device according to Claim 16, wherein the junction is a
vortex triode or a switch.
18. The device according to Claim 17, wherein the first and
second outlet fluid passageways terminate at the junction.
19. A device for directing the flow of a fluid comprises:
a sensor;
a first outlet connected to the sensor;
a second outlet connected to the sensor;
a first outlet fluid passageway, wherein the first
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to
the first outlet; and
a second outlet fluid passageway, wherein the second
outlet fluid passageway is operatively connected to
the second outlet;
wherein as the total number of phases of the fluid
increases, the sensor directs at least a first phase
of the fluid into the first outlet fluid passageway
and directs at least a second phase of the fluid into
the second outlet fluid passageway, and
wherein the fluid flowing through the first outlet
fluid passageway conjoins with the fluid flowing
through the second outlet fluid passageway at a point
downstream of the first and second outlet.
20. The device according to Claim 19, wherein the sensor is a
centrifugal chamber.