Patent Application
20210381343
The present invention generally relates to water well cleaning. More specifically, the present invention is a well case brushing and surge blocking apparatus that optimize the well cleaning method.
In rural environments, much infrastructure that urban residents often take for granted does not exist. In particular, many smaller communities obtain drinking water solely from underground aquifers. As a result, in all rural environments, water wells are a necessity. Because of that, water well cleaning methods and devices are in demand as the water well cleaning process is a vital part to keep a water system sanitary, healthful, and in good condition. More specifically, the openings in a well casing provide passageways for the flow of water. Over time, the openings tend to become plugged with sand, the products of corrosion, sediment deposits, and other inorganic or organic complexes. As a result, these materials begin to cake and clog the openings in the well casing or screen thus reducing the pump efficiency and intake of water while increasing the pumping head and the pumping cost.
A common accepted industry standard for removing debris from water wells is the “swab and airlift technique,” in which agitation is achieved through the vertical movement of a swab tool making a plunging action, with airlifting accomplished by using compressed air to remove the debris from the well. However, the airlifting action requires 100-200 feet of airline submergence below the well's static water level and does not provide a continuous flow (i.e., a constant flow velocity). Swab and airlift techniques also have physical limitations: their flow velocities are less controlled and their water movement is not continuous. Mechanical limitations of the swab and airlift technique include the maximum number of strokes applied within the developed zone (i.e., agitation). The swab tool and airline are affixed to the pump rig's mast, allowing 20-30 strokes within a 5-foot zone per minute. Areas of the well structures that lack the necessary submergence and/or have low-yielding aquifers may be limited to redevelopment with the swab and airlift technique. These factors may lead to increased costs and unsatisfactory results (i.e., high sand/sediment production and low flow rates).
Companies have attempted to develop various methods for cleaning plugged openings though various remedial operations such as chemical treatments, mechanical techniques (e.g., brushing and bailing), use of a high-pressure air gun to create a hydraulic wave, the use of jetted streams of liquid, reperforation of the casing, and so forth. However, most such cleaning methods are ineffective. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a method or system that improves on existing methods while solving such problems.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a well case brushing and surge blocking apparatus to improve upon the conventional well cleaning methods while incorporating other problem-solving features. The present invention is a mechanical structure and/or system with a rotating arm and may provide about 120 feet per minute with a 5 feet tool and a 6 feet stroke. A cleaning tool that is looped through the present invention is lowered to the well screen area once the initial debris is removed. The rotating arm action of the present invention can force volumes of water at high velocity through the screen area and into the well face, removing extra drill mud, sand, and chemical residue to dramatically increase the well's output. As a result, the present invention is able to improve upon the existing well cleaning method.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a well case brushing and surge blocking apparatus that is used to brush a well casing or surge well during a well remediation process. The rotating arm action can force volumes of water at high velocity through the screen area of the well thus removing extra drill mud, sand, and chemical residue through the well face (opening) of the well. Due to the component configuration, the present invention is able to achieve about 120 feet per minute with a 5-foot tool and a 6-foot stroke from the rotating arm. Depending upon different steps of the well remediation process, the 5-foot tool can be a cleaning tool or a surge blocking tool. Aforementioned result provides a greater improvement over traditional output of a swab tool and airline of the pump rig's mast that allowing 20-30 strokes within a 5-foot zone per minute.
The present invention comprises a housing 1, a frame 9, an actuating arm 12, a gear assembly 17, a hydraulic motor 18, a hydraulic speed controller 21, and a hydraulic counterbalance 26 as shown in
In reference to
In reference to
In reference to
The actuating arm 12 is configured to provide a specific vertical displacement of the tool (a cleaning tool or a surge blocking tool) that is attached to the free end of the sand line. In reference to
In reference to the engagement of the sand line with the present invention, the free end of the sand line is first engaged around the upper sheave 6 and inserted into the housing 1 so that the free end of the sand line can be looped around the middle shave. Then, the free end of the sand line is engaged around the lower sheave 7 and placed outside of the housing 1. The tool (a cleaning tool or a surge blocking tool) can then be attached to the free end of the sand line. In order to attain the specific vertical displacement of the tool, the rig end of the sand line maintains a stationary position with respect to the rig. When the actuating arm 12 rotates about the first rotational axis, the sand line that is looped around the middle sheave 16 radially travels around the first rotational axis also. As a result, the free end of the sand line vertically moves upwards and downward thus providing the specific vertical displacement for the tool. For example, as shown in
In reference to
The hydraulic counterbalance 26 is utilized within the present invention to safely hold suspended loads and deal with over-running loads. As a result, the present invention is able to maintain constant velocity for the upward direction and the downward direction of the sand line and the tool. The hydraulic counterbalance 26 is positioned adjacent to the hydraulic speed controller 21. Furthermore, the hydraulic counterbalance 26 is mounted to the frame 9 and easily accessible to the user for repairs and maintenance.
The present invention can further comprise a secondary securing mechanism that provides additional protection for the attachment between the rig and the frame 9. More specifically, the secondary securing mechanism functions as a backup mounting system for the present invention to compensate any random failures of the at least one trailer mount 27.
As the first step of the well remediation process, all possible correspondence regarding the well, including the well log, maintenance records, and records of previous testing (e.g., e-logs, spinner tests) are collected by the operator.
As the second step, all equipment of the well is removed and each piece of equipment is then evaluated for wear and tear by the operator.
After the inspection of the equipment, a first video log is conducted as the third step via an underwater camera. During the first video log, operator records the well depth, evaluates the casing for any damage, including holes, ruptured welds, and additional pieces of equipment abandoned from prior work. If additional equipment or any other debris is found in the well, it should be removed to complete the third step.
As the fourth step, entire well casing and screen interval are brushed through the present invention. Optionally, the operator can also perform another video log via the underwater camera to inspect holes in the well casing after the fourth step is completed. The actuating arm 12 of present invention can force volumes of water at high velocity through the screen area and into the well face, removing extra drill mud, sand, and chemical residue to dramatically increase the output of the well.
As the fifth step, the operator performs a first pass of a submersible pump so that the well casing can be prepped for chemical injection. The submersible pump is much more efficient rather than traditional an air compressor to produce high-velocity controlled water flow to get any loose materials out from behind the screen interval to better assure the displacing of the chemicals on injection. For example, the submersible pump constant flow velocities can range from 350 to 750 gallons per minute (gpm), compared with the conventional swab and airlift technique's maximum rate of 300 gpm. A variable-frequency drive (VFD) can be used to maintain water levels and control flow velocities of the well structure being developed regardless of the well's condition. If flow velocities exceed the aquifer's yield, a loss of suction feature shuts the pump off, terminating the flow velocity, allowing the operator to adjust the flow and protect the well structure being developed.
As the sixth step, various types of chemicals are injected into the well casing. If an overabundance of driller's mud was used to set the well face before the casing was installed, special liquid clay dispersants can be used to break down and thin the driller's mud. Living and dead bacteria can attach to the casing, screen areas, and well face, reducing and sometimes even stopping the flow of water into the well. Special NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) approved chemicals can be used to kill the bacteria and dislodge the calcium carbonate from the different well surfaces.
As the seventh step, the present invention is utilized to surge block of chemical at a rate of 12 strokes per minute with a six foot stroke and ten foot surge blocking tool.
As the eighth step, chemical extraction is completed through the submersible pump in such a way that the pumping is completed at a rate of no less than 200 gallons per minute (well permitted on flow rate) until PH level is above 6.5.
As the ninth step, mechanical development is completed through the submersible pump in such a way that the pumping is completed at a rate of no less than 200 gallons per minute (well permitted on flow rate) through entire well screen until turbidity levels are less than 2 parts per million (PPM).
As the tenth step, well sump clean out with check valve is installed above the submersible pump, preventing the disturbed water column from reentering the well casing (i.e., at a loss of suction feature). In appropriate conditions, the operator may remove the check valve, allowing the water column to reenter the well structure, providing a focused surging action for the area being developed.
In reference to steps 8-10, in one embodiment, the submersible pump can be placed above an adjustable length of a stinger, where the stinger is a smaller-diameter pipe with the swab tool affixed to the bottom. The adjustable length of the stinger may be dependent on the total dynamic head of the submersible pump. This removes the limitations of the submergence requirement while providing controlled flow velocities with minimal submergence. Thus, the submersible pump can be used to improve and accelerate debris or residue removal.
In reference to the eighth step through the tenth step, in one embodiment, the submersible pump can be lowered near the debris level and a pipe extended from the bottom of the pump to suck up the debris much more rapidly, saving time and reducing costs. The constant flow velocity can be used in a controlled manner, allowing flow rates to be dialed in for any condition (e.g., low-yielding aquifers). The benefit of the submersible pump is that it provides the vacuum-tight seal needed to create positive suction that displaces the development water through the swab tool with high-velocity constant flow.
As the eleventh step, pump development is performed through pumping and surging to conduct the step test, constant flow rate test, and a post rehabilitation video log. The post rehabilitation video log is performed to identify any changes and inspect repairs made.
As the twelfth step, the present invention is utilized to perform a well disinfection by surge blocking sodium hypochlorite throughout entire wetted well casing.
As the thirteenth step, the operator conducts an updating process to provide all updating of the initial, including any new equipment if required. All equipment is then set back into the well.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63/034,828 filed on Jun. 4, 2020.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63034828 | Jun 2020 | US |
