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  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:
    expandable buffer unit, method for forming a packing unit and annular rash preventer the present invention relates to an expandable buffer unit to be used in a set of annular preventers and a method of forming a packing unit for a set of preventers. the expandable buffer unit for an annular eruption preventer (101) comprises an annular elastomer body (107) comprising an elastomer having a unidirectional grain; and an amount of fiber (141) aligned longitudinally with the grain of the elastomer.
    公开号:BR112014031040B1
    申请号:R112014031040-8
    申请日:2013-06-25
    公开日:2020-10-06
    发明作者:Ming Yu Huang
    申请人:Hydril Usa Manufacturing Llc.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    [001] The present invention relates to an expandable buffer unit to be used in a set of annular preventers and a method of forming a packing unit for a set of preventers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [002] Well control is an important aspect of oil and gas exploration. When drilling a well, for example, in oil and gas exploration applications, safety devices must be placed in the right place to prevent injury to personnel and damage to equipment that results from unexpected events associated with drilling activities.
    [003] Drilling wells in oil and gas exploration involve penetrating a variety of subsurface geological structures, or "layers". Occasionally, a well hole will penetrate a layer that has a formation pressure substantially greater than the pressure maintained in the well hole. When this occurs, the pit is said to have "been kicked." The pressure increase associated with the kick is usually produced by an influx of formation fluids (which can be a liquid, a gas or a combination of them) into the well hole. The relatively high pressure kick tends to propagate from an entry point at the top of the well hole (from a high pressure region to a low pressure region). If the kick is allowed to reach the surface, the drilling fluid, well tools and other drilling structures can blowout from the well bore. These blowouts can result in catastrophic destruction of the drilling rig (including, for example, the drill rig) and substantial injury or death to the drill rig.
    [004] Because of the risk of blowouts, set of preventers ("BOPs") are typically installed on the surface or bottom of the sea in deep water drilling arrangements to effectively seal a borehole until active measures can be taken. taken to control the kick. BOPs can be activated so that the kicks are properly controlled and "circulated out" from the system. There are several types of BOPs, a common type of which is a set of annular preventers.
    [005] Annular BOPs typically comprise annular elastomeric "packing units" that can be activated to encapsulate drill pipe and well tools to seal completely around a well hole. In situations where drill pipe or well tools are not inside the packing unit hole, the packing unit can be compressed to the point that the hole is completely closed, acting as a valve in the well hole. Typically, packing units are used in the case of sealing around a drill pipe, where the packing unit can be quickly compressed, either manually or by machine, to affect a seal around the pipe to prevent a pit blowout.
    [006] An example of an annular BOP having a packing unit is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,609,836, ("Knox") which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for reference. The packing unit includes a plurality of metal inserts embedded in an elastomeric body. The metal inserts are typically spaced at equal radial distances from one another around a longitudinal geometric axis of the packing unit. The inserts provide structural support for the elastomeric body when the packing unit is radially compressed to seal against well pressure. By compressing the packing unit around a drill pipe, or by itself, to seal against well hole pressure, the elastomeric body is radially tightened inward, causing the metal inserts to move radially inward as well .
    [007] Figure 1 is an example of a prior art annular BOP 101 including a housing 102. The annular BOP 101 has a hole 120 that extends through it and is arranged around a longitudinal geometric axis 103. A unit The packing unit 105 is arranged within the annular BOP 101 around the longitudinal geometry axis 103. The packing unit 105 includes an elastomeric annular body 107. The packing unit 105 includes a hole 111 concentric with the hole 120 of the BOP 101.
    [008] The annular BOP 101 is driven by fluid pumped into the opening 113 of a piston chamber 112. The fluid applies pressure to a piston 117, which moves piston 117 upwards. As piston 117 moves upward, piston 117 transmits force to the packing unit 105 through a wedge face 118. The force transmitted to the packing unit 105 from the wedge face 118 is directed in upward toward a removable head 119 of the annular BOP 101, and inward toward the longitudinal geometry axis 103 of the annular BOP 101. Since the packing unit 105 is held against the removable head 119 of the annular BOP 101, the packing 105 does not move downwardly from the force transmitted to the packing unit 105 from the piston 117. However, the packing unit 105 moves inward from the transmitted force, which compresses the packing unit 105 towards the longitudinal geometric axis 103 of annular BOP 101. In the event that a drill pipe 130 is located along longitudinal geometric axis 103, with sufficient radial compression, the un packing age 105 will seal around the drill pipe in a "closed position". The open position is shown in Figure 2 while the closed position is shown in Figure 3. In the event that a drill pipe is not present, the packing unit 105, with sufficient radial compression will completely seal hole 111.
    [009] An example of the packing unit 105 used in an annular BOP 101 is shown in Figure 4. As previously, the packing unit 105 includes an elastomeric annular body 107 and can include a plurality of metallic inserts 109. The metallic inserts 109 they can be distributed at radial distances equal to each other in the elastomeric annular body 107 of the packing unit 105. The packing unit 105 has a hole 111 through it.
    [010] Larger modulus elastomers have been used to provide annular expandable plugs (packers) that have a longer fatigue life. However, high modulus elastomers require higher closing pressure and more flexible cycles to seal the tube or open hole. An expandable plug with extreme rigidity may not close at all.
    [011] When incorporating fibers into a rubber compound, it is common to orient the fibers in the direction of mill / extrusion grain. In comparison with non-reinforced rubber compounds, fiber-reinforced rubber compounds have increased modulus and reduced elongation along the mill grain. The unidirectional orientation of elastomer macromolecular chains and filler particles that occur in processes such as milling, extrusion or calendering is called “grain”, which results in anisotropy of elastomer vulcanizations. The short fibers mixed in elastomer compounds are longitudinally oriented along the grain direction, which provide the anisotropic properties that are normally much more significant than those provided from unreinforced rubber compounds. The modulus increases and elongation decreases through the grain direction as well, but it is much more subtle than those properties with the grain direction. In other words, a fiber reinforced rubber wire is physically anisotropic, that is, the grain orientation module can be significantly larger than that through the grain or that of an unreinforced control. However, the elongation of fiber-reinforced rubber compounds with the grain will decrease less than the increase in modulus.
    [012] Traditional packing units for BOPs use nitrile rubber (NBR) for the elastomeric annular body NBR, which provides good physical properties and oil resistance.
    [013] Complicated annular BOP operations require improved expandable plugs. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide improved expandable plugs for annular BOP operations. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [014] In one aspect, the achievements disclosed in this document refer to an expandable buffer unit to be used in a set of annular preventers. The expandable buffer unit may include an annular elastomer body comprising an elastomer that has a unidirectional grain and an amount of fiber longitudinally aligned with the elastomer grain.
    [015] In another aspect, the achievements revealed in this document refer to a method of forming a packing unit for a set of preventers. The method includes forming a fiber-reinforced elastomer including aligning fibers with an elastomer grain; cutting a portion from the fiber-reinforced elastomer in the direction of the grain; loading the cutting portion into a packing unit mold so that the grain of the fiber reinforced elastomer of the cutting portion is parallel to a packing unit geometry; and heating the loaded packing unit mold.
    [016] In another aspect, the achievements revealed in this document refer to a set of annular preventers to be installed in a well. The set of annular preventers includes a housing that has a hole extending through it around a longitudinal geometric axis; a packing unit arranged inside the housing around the longitudinal geometric axis; and a piston configured to move along the longitudinal axis and tighten the packing unit towards the longitudinal axis. The packing unit may include an elastomer body that includes a compound selected from the group consisting of a polymer based on hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), nitrile rubber (NBR) or a carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) that it has a polymer chain and a unidirectional orientation grain; and an amount of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a set of conventional annular preventers.
    [018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a section of a packing unit in an open position in a set of annular preventers according to the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a section of a packing unit in a closed position in a set of annular preventers according to the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a packing unit according to the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [021] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a molded slab that has fibers oriented in the grain direction according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [022] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a set of annular preventers that have fibers oriented in the axial direction according to the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [023] Figure 7 is a graph of Module M100 as a function of 4 mm Polyester Fiber Concentration, according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [024] Figure 8 is a graph of tensile strength as a function of 4 mm Polyester Fiber Concentration according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [025] Figure 9 is an Elongation graph as a function of 4 mm Polyester Fiber Concentration according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [026] Figure 10 is a graph of Module M100 as a function of RHENOGRAN P95 Fiber Concentration 50% NBR, according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [027] Figure 11 is a graph of tensile strength and Elongation (%) with & through grain vs. Concentration of Aram Fiber from Pulp, according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [028] Figure 12 is a graph of Module Comparisons between different fibers with the same concentration (5 phr Fiber), according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [029] Figure 13 is a graph of tensile strength and Elongation (%) between different fibers with the same concentration (5 phr Fiber) according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [030] Figure 14 is a graph of resistance to breaking with & through the grain vs. Concentration of Aram Fiber Pulp in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [031] Figure 15 is a graph of Mooney Viscosity for Aram series going according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [032] Figure 16 is a graph of Tc90 and Ts2 for Aram series going at 176.6 ° C (350 ° F) according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [033] Figure 17 is a graph of MH and ML for Aram series going to 176.6 ° C (350 ° F) according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [034] Figure 18 is a graph of Hardness (Shore A) for Aram series going according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [035] Figure 19 is a cut outline of specimens with and against the mill direction for the Aram series going in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [036] Figure 20 is a graph of tensile strength for the Aram series going according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [037] Figure 21 is an Elongation graph for the Aram series going according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [038] Figure 22 is a graph of Module M100 and M300 for Aram ida series according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [039] Figure 23 is a graph of Module Enhancement Factor and stiffness Anisotropy index for Aram ida series according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [040] Figure 24 is a break resistance graph for the Aram series going according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [041] Figure 25 is a Compression Establishment chart for the Aramid series according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [042] Figures 26a and 26b are seen in perspective of a broken traction surface with and through a grain specimen, respectively according to the achievements revealed in this document.
    [043] Figures 27a-e are viewed in perspective of the process for molding a 2 ”sample anisotropic annular expandable plug in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [044] Figures 28a and 28b are seen in perspective of a broken tensile surface with and through a grain specimen, respectively for the anisotropic annular expandable sample plug of Figures 27a-e according to the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [045] Figure 29 is a graph of tensile strength, elongation and resistance to breaking vs. aramid fiber filler in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [046] Figure 30 is a sketch of an anisotropic annular packing unit reinforced with fiber according to the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [047] Figure 31a-c are viewed in perspective of shaping an anisotropic annular expandable plug in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document.
    [048] Figure 32 is a perspective view of the anisotropic annular expandable plug in step a of the seal test according to the achievements disclosed in this document. DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE INVENTION
    [049] Reference throughout the specification to "one (1) realization" or "an realization" means that a particular feature, structure or feature described in connection with an realization is included in at least one realization of the disclosed matter. Thus, the appearance of the expressions "in one (1) realization" or "in one realization" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same realization. In addition, particular resources, structures or characteristics can be combined in any suitable way into one or more embodiments.
    [050] According to the achievements disclosed in this document, an expandable buffer unit for a set of annular preventers includes an annular elastomer body including an elastomer that has a unidirectional grain, and an amount of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. Various materials can be used to produce a fiber reinforced elastomeric body from a packing unit of an annular BOP system. Fiber-reinforced elastomers can be used for expandable BOP plugs because they combine the elastic behavior of rubber with the strength and stiffness of the reinforcing fiber. The fiber-reinforced elastomer is a blend of an elastomeric material that has a unidirectional grain and an amount of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. The elastomeric material can be NBR which is a complex family of unsaturated acrylonitrile and butadiene copolymers. By selecting an elastomer with the appropriate acrylonitrile content in balance with other properties, NBR can be used in a wide variety of application areas that require oil, fuel and chemical resistance. As used herein, "elastomeric material" refers to thermoplastics, thermosets, rubbers and other polymeric compounds that exhibit elastic behavior and are commonly used for sealants, O-rings and the like.
    [051] NBR producers vary polymerization temperatures to produce "hot" and "cold" polymers. The acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene (BD) ratios are varied for specific low temperature and specific fuel and oil resistance requirements. Specialty NBR polymers that contain a third monomer (eg, divinyl benzene, methacrylic acid) are also offered. Some NBR elastomers are hydrogenated to reduce the chemical reactivity of the polymer main chain, improving heat resistance (eg, HNBR). Each modification determines uniquely different properties.
    [052] The addition of carboxylic acid groups to the NBR polymer backbone (XNBR) can alter the curing and processing properties. The result is a polymer matrix with increased strength, measured through improved tensile strength, tear strength, modulus and abrasion resistance. Negative effects include reduction in compression, water resistance, resilience and some low temperature properties.
    [053] In some embodiments, the elastomer may be a highly saturated copolymer rubber containing nitrile group, a copolymer rubber between ethylenically unsaturated monomer and / or conjugated diene and α, β-ethylenically unsaturated or derived nitrile. Other elastomers that can be used include, but are not limited to, a blend of natural rubber / polybutadiene rubber (PBD), polyisoprene rubber (IR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl and halobutyl rubbers (HR, BIIR, CIIR ), ethylene propylene rubbers (EPM, EPDM), chloroprene rubbers (CR) and crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE), nitrile rubber (NBR), butadiene rubber, fluorocarbon elastomers (FKM) and mixtures or mixtures thereof.
    [054] Rubber can be obtained directly by copolymerizing the individual monomers. It can also be obtained by hydrogenating an unsaturated copolymer rubber containing nitrile group. The polymerization method and hydrogenation method to obtain the adherent rubber are not particularly restricted. Examples of adherent rubber may include highly saturated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber, highly saturated isoprene-butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber, highly saturated isoprene-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber, highly saturated butadiene-acrylonitrile-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber , highly saturated acrylonitrile-acrylic acid-butadiene copolymer rubber, highly saturated butadiene-ethylene-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber, and butyl acrylate-ethoxyethyl acrylate-vinylnorbornene-acrylonitrile copolymer rubber. In addition, any existing compounds used in annular blowout protection devices can be used as the elastomeric compound.
    [055] Examples of fibers that can be oriented within the elastomer are those made of aramid, polyamide, polyester and polyolefins. Examples of specific fibers that can be oriented within the elastomer are nylon 6, nylon 46, nylon 66, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene terephthalate (PEN). Other types of fibers that can be used include glass fibers, steel fibers, cotton fibers, carbon fibers, rayon and acrylic fibers. Other suitable fibers will be evident to those skilled in the art.
    [056] Other examples of liquid crystalline fibers that can be used include, but are not limited to: VECTRAN available from Hoechst- Celanese Corporation, USA (Dallas, TX), which is a fiber stirred from a liquid crystalline fusion of a similar aromatic copolyester the rigid rod whose molecular structure is made up of two monomers, namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 6-hydroxy-2 naphthoic acid, in a random sequence distribution, and in different molecular ratios; KEVLAR available from EI dupont de Nemours & Co., Inc., USA (Wilmington, DE) and TWARON available from Akzo Nobel Fibers (Netherlands), are fibers stirred from a liquid crystalline solution of an aromatic polyamide similar to rigid shank using the wet stirring technique of dry jet (air gap), made of poly (p-phenyleneterephthalamide); cellulosic fibers made by stirring liquid crystalline solutions of cellulose esters (format or acetate) with subsequent saponification to yield regenerated cellulosic fibers; highly oriented extended-chain crystalline fibers, made from aromatic heterocyclic polymers with a rigid stem, by a liquid crystalline solution stirring route, such as poly (p-phenylenebenzobistiazola) or PBZT, and poly (p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole), known as PBZO.
    [057] These highly oriented rigid polymer fibers will fibrillate to a pulp type product under mechanical shear forces. In addition, a highly branched fibrilated high surface area pulp, similar to aramid and cellulosic pulps, can also be produced from wet agitated short acrylic filaments (polyacrylonitrile) through commercial mechanical processes.
    [058] Highly oriented aramid fibers can also be prepared by conventional stirring of an isotropic solution of an aromatic copolyamide, followed by extraction of the fibers stirred at very high temperatures and extraction ratios. Such a fiber, copoly (p-phenylene / 3.41 -oxydiphenyleneterephthalamide), is made commercially by Teijin, Ltd., Japan, under the trade name TECHNORA, and can be converted into a pulp that can be used in reinforcement composites hybrids disclosed in this document.
    [059] Highly oriented crystalline extended-fiber fibers can also be produced from flexible-chain polymers using the gel stirring technique. Examples of this type of fiber are polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVA) and some polyolefin fibers (for example, polyethylene). In some embodiments, short-length fibers that have a surface treatment can be used to improve fiber dispersion in the elastomer mixture and can improve the bond between the fiber and the elastomer.
    [060] These fibers, either in a flexible or rigid chain, and whether made by a conventional solvent or liquid crystalline agitation process or through gel agitation, have a common characteristic: a high degree of orientation. This ultra high degree of orientation and concomitant mechanical anisotropy is the main microstructural resource responsible for the tendency of these fibers to undergo a greater or lesser extent of axial division and fibrillation under shear, yielding products similar to the pulp.
    [061] In some embodiments, RHENOGRAN P95-50 / NBR aramid pulp (Rhein Chemie, Mannheim, Germany), a pre-treated chopped pulp of aramid fiber in 50% NBR binder can be used. Any of the existing ring compounds can be used as the base compound. The fiber load can vary from about 0.5 to about 5 phr, from about 1.25 to about 3.75 phr, or from about 2.0 to about 3.0 phr. In some embodiments, the charge can be extended to more than 5 phr depending on the compound and size / type of expandable buffer. The length of the fibers can vary in relation to the pulp size, 1 mm to about 15 mm, from about 4 mm to about 9 mm or from about 6 mm to about 7 mm.
    [062] The fibers are mixed with the elastomer in a mixer. For example, the First Step can be controlled by mixing time and the final addition can be controlled by temperature. In some embodiments, the mixer is a Banbury model or similar, known to a person skilled in the art. Along with the fibers, other additives, including carbon black and other rubber additives, can be added according to a prescribed procedure.
    [063] The unidirectional orientation of molecular rubber chains or filler particles can occur during processing operations, such as, but not limited to, grinding, extrusion or calendering. The unidirectional orientation of molecular rubber chains or filler particles can provide anisotropy of the vulcanized rubber. As shown in Figure 5, after mixing, fibers 141 can be oriented in a mill or extruder, resulting in mechanical anisotropy in a molded slab 140. Fibers 141 have an aspect ratio (length / diameter) and can be oriented in grain direction after they are mixed into the rubber compound.
    [064] In some embodiments, the grain of the elastomer can be substantially parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis of the annular body. This can be accomplished by carefully arranging or inserting the fiber-reinforced elastomer mixture into an annular preventer set (ABOP) mold with the grain being held in the axial direction. A cross section of a set of annular preventers shaped by this method is shown in Figure 6. The fibers 141 in an elastomer matrix 107 can be aligned substantially parallel to the annular and grain geometric axis.
    [065] To prepare the set of annular preventers that have the grain substantially parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis of the annular body, the fiber-reinforced elastomer mixture can be ground. In other embodiments, the fiber-reinforced elastomer blend can be extruded or calendered. After the elastomers are ground, calendered or extruded, they can be cut or formed into specific shapes to be placed in a mold. For example, after grinding, a first set of preparation belts can be laminated longitudinally parallel to the mill direction. These will be called preparation belt A. Multiple layers of preparation belt A can be cut and loaded into the mold between metal inserts so that the mill direction is parallel to the expandable plug geometry axis. A second set of preparation belts, called preparation belt B, can be laminated from the mill perpendicular to the mill direction, and wrapped over the mold longitudinally perpendicular to the geometric axis of the mold so that the grain is parallel to the geometric axis of expandable buffer. In some embodiments, the mold can be preheated to a predetermined temperature. For example, the mold can be preheated to about 121.1 ° C (250 ° F). When the mold is closed, the top half of the mold can push the flow of compost downwards. The compound is allowed to cure. The curing condition can be 2 hours at about 121.1 ° C (250 ° F) and then 2.5 hours at about 135 ° C (275 ° F), followed by 9 hours at about 146, 1 ° C (295 ° F). A person skilled in the art will find that the conditions of the process, for example, temperature, time, pressure, can be varied based on the size of the expandable plug and the compounds used in the expandable plugs. EXAMPLES
    [066] To study fiber reinforcement and its directional physical properties when used in elastomer compounds as applied in annular preventer set applications, a base rubber compound (Compound A), which is a preventer set compound NBR rings were mixed with both aramid and polyester fibers. The lengths of chopped pulp fiber varied from about 4 mm to about 9 mm and the load / loading varied from about 1 to about 15 parts per hundred rubber (phr). The properties of tensile strength, elongation, modulus and breaking were tested in both normal (with) and transverse (through) directions to the grain.
    [067] Several batches with varying types and amounts of fiber were mixed using a Banbury laboratory 1.17 liter (72 in3) mixer. Batches included 3481 Perbunan synthetic rubber available from Lanxess, (Pittsburgh, PA), polyester fibers from Finite Fiber Company (Akron, OH), RHENOGRAN aramid pulp from P95 aramid fibers 50% NBR available from Rhein Chemie (Mannheim, Germany), N231 CARBON BLACK available from Sid Richardson Carbon (Ft. Worth, TX), N550 CARBON BLACK available from Continental Carbon (Houston, TX), HI SIL ™ 243-LD amorphous silica available from PPG Industries Inc. (Monroeville, PA), MC98-Sulfur available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), HYD # 4 Preweigh available from Elite Solutions (Ripley, MS), MBTS-75 (75% active disulfide dibenzothiazole available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), PB (TETD) -75 (75% leading tetraethyl thiruam disulfide leader) available from Rhein Chemie (Mannheim, Germany), WB222 PROCESS AID available from Struktol (Stow, OH).
    [068] The mixing procedure is shown in Table 1. A First Stage was controlled by mixing time, while the final mixing was controlled by temperature. After the First Stage and the Final Stage, the compounds were emptied from Banbury and laminated from a 30.48 cm laboratory two-cylinder mill (12 in lab). The ASTM blades were molded by compression in a 31 cm x 31 cm (15in x 15in) press with 30 tons of displacement pressure. The curing time and temperature were 15 minutes at 160 ° C (320 ° F). The physical tests followed the ASTM standards and used the equipment listed in Table 2. There were two batches of mixing performed in this study with eight compounds per batch. The formulations and physical properties are listed in Tables 3 and 4 for Mix Lots 1 and 2, respectively. The materials in Examples 1 and 9 are identical, and are the base rubber compound (Compound A) used as the control. TABLE 1. MIXING PROCEDURE
    TABLE 2. LIST OF ASTM STANDARDS AND EQUIPMENT USED FOR PHYSICAL TESTS
    TABLE 3. FORMULATIONS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NITRILLA COMPOUNDS REINFORCED WITH FIBER, MIXTURE

    TABLE 4. FORMULATIONS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FIBER REINFORCED NITRILLA COMPOUNDS BASED ON COMPOUND A


    [069] In Examples 2 to 4, 4 mm polyester fibers were added with increasing concentration from 5 phr to 15 phr. As shown in Figure 7, the change in the M100 module through the grain direction is negligible with the addition of fibers. However, the module increases dramatically in the direction with the grain; 100% increase with 5 phr of fiber, and almost 200% increase with 15 phr of fiber. Tensile strength (Figure 8) and elongation (Figure 9) decrease with increasing fiber concentration. For a given rubber of fiber parts per hundred, the decrease in tensile strength through the grain is greater than that with the grain, but vice versa for the decrease in elongation. In other words, the 4 mm polyester fibers take the vulcanized NBR anisotropic. Specifically, the 4 mm polyester fibers increase the modulus and tensile strength, but decrease elongation of NBR vulcanized products with the grain when compared to those properties through the grain.
    [070] From Examples 10 to 13, RHENOGRAN P95 50% NBR fibers are added and the concentration increases from 2.5 phr to 10 phr. RHENOGRAN P95 50% NBR is 50% NBR bound minced pulp aramid fibers. Pretreatment with NBR is to improve fiber dispersion during mixing. So, for each part of RHENOGRAN P95 50% NBR fibers added to the compound, the real fiber added is half a part. As shown in Figure 10, the module with the grain increases dramatically with the addition of aramid fibers, while the module through the grain increases very subtly. In other words, the stiffness anisotropy increases significantly with the addition of aramid fiber, even when the fiber concentration is very low.
    [071] Here to facilitate the analysis, a “Mwo Module Anisotropy index (IMWO)” parameter is defined as the ratio of the Mwo module to the grain over the Mwo module through the grain, ie: IMWO = Mioo (w -Grain) I Mioo (x-Grain)
    [072] For a completely isotropic vulcanized product, IMWO should equal 1. For fiber-filled vulcanized products, the higher the IMWO, the greater the anisotropy.
    [073] In Example 9, IMIOO equals 521/457 = 1.1. Example 9 is a control compound with no added fiber; subtle anisotropy results from “regular grain”, that is, the orientation of polymer chains and carbon black fillers.
    [074] In Example 10, with 2.5 phr 50% NBR bound aramid fibers (1.25 phr pure fibers), IMWO increases to 745/507 = 1.5. In Example 13, with 10 phr 50% NBR-bound aramid fibers (5 phr pure fibers), IMWO increases to 1307/534 = 2.5.
    [075] Figure 11 shows changes in tensile strength and elongation with increasing concentration of aramid fibers. The tensile strength is decreased with the increase in the concentration of aramid fiber, which is similar to results for 4 mm polyester fibers (Figure 8). However, with the addition of pulp aramid fibers, the elongation increases slightly differently with polyester fibers (Figure 9).
    [076] Figure 12 shows the module comparisons between different fibers with the same 5 phr concentration. The two polyester fibers, either 4 mm or 9 mm long, extend the modules through the grain very subtly if any. In the grain direction, the increase in the 9 mm polyester fiber modules is greater than that of the 4 mm polyester fibers. The pulp fiber compound has larger modules than polyester fibers in the direction through the grain.
    [077] In the grain direction, low voltage modules such as M25 and M50 of the aramid fiber compound in pulp are smaller than those of polyesters, while the M100 of aramid compound is larger than polyesters.
    [078] Figure 13 shows comparisons of tensile strength and elongation. The tensile strength is reduced for all fibers tested in both directions, that is, with and through the grain. Pulp aramid and 9 mm polyester fibers increase elongation, while 4 mm polyester fibers reduce elongation.
    [079] The last row in Table 4 lists the breaking strengths of Examples 9 through 16. For samples filled with fiber, the breaking strength through the grain is greater than that with the grain. For example, Figure 14 shows the breaking behaviors of compounds filled with aramid fiber in pulp. The difference in resistance to breaking between the two directions (with and through the grain) is much smaller than the differences in the modules.
    [080] The addition of polyester fibers of 4 mm and 9 mm or aramid fibers in pulp bonded with NBR provided an improvement in modulus and anisotropy to NBR. In comparison to a NBR control compound (Example 1), the fiber reinforced compound has a similar modulus through the grain, and a significantly larger modulus with the grain. Therefore, anisotropic fiber reinforcement can benefit BOP applications. Properly laying sheets of elastomer filled with fiber ground by two cylinders in a BOP mold to supply the grinding grain parallel to the geometric axis will provide an anisotropic BOP unit, that is, the BOP will have a regular module through the grain or axis geometric, but it will be much more rigid with the grain or geometric axis. Flexibility through the geometry axis will allow the BOP elastomer to close with less pressure to seal the well bore, while stiffness with the geometry axis will help resist extrusion.
    [081] Conventional strategies for increasing the modulus, for example, increasing the carbon black loading or increasing the crosslink density (curing state), usually result in loss of elongation. The improvement of directional modulus can be achieved by reinforcing aramid fiber into pulp without sacrificing elongation.
    [082] As shown above, it is desirable to provide a fiber-reinforced anisotropic expandable plug in which the orientation of the reinforcement fiber is parallel to the expandable plug geometric axis. The elastomeric composite in the expandable plug formed according to the embodiments disclosed in this document is rigid in the axial direction to resist extrusion under well hole pressure, but soft through the geometric axis so that it is flexible to close.
    [083] The following examples focus on reinforcing aramid fiber in cut sized pulp. A standard compound ring pattern GX11-5 (is it proprietary or commercially available ), Compound B, was used as a base compound, and the addition of RHENOGRAN P95 with 50% NBR ranges from 0 to 10 phr, forming a “ Aramid Series ”. A batch of pre-mix was mixed in a 220 liter Banbury mixer. The premix batch included the NIPOL elastomer DN 1201 available from Zeon Chemicals LP (Louisville, KY), NEGRO DE PUMO N326 available from Continental Carbon (Houston, TX), NEGRO DE PUMO N660 available from Continental Carbon ( Houston, TX), amorphous silica HI SIL ™ 243-LD available from PPG Industries Inc. (Monroeville, PA), stearically hindered amine TMQ available from Western Reserve Chemical (Stow, OH), antioxidant SANTOFLEX 13 available from Flexsys America LP (Akron, OH), SP25 ADHESION RESIN available from SI Group Inc. (Schenectady, NY), STARIC ACID available from Hallstar (Chicago, IL), DIDP EZ MIX available from Hallstar (Chicago, IL), ZnO911C -85 / NBR / S available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), and PROCESS AUXILIARY WB222 available from Struktol (Stow, OH). The formulation of the pre-mix batch is shown in Table 5, and its mixing procedure is shown in Table 6. TABLE 5. FORMULATION OF THE PRE-MIX LOT
    TABLE 6. PRODUCTION OF THE PRE-MIX Batch MIXTURE PROCEDURE

    [084] Using the pre-mix batch, the laboratory sample batches of the elastomer and fiber were mixed in an internal laboratory mixer measuring 1,179.87 cm3 (72 in3). The mixing procedure is shown in Table 7, and the formulations are shown in Table 8. Sample batches included in the premix batch and RHENOGRAN P95 with 50% NBR available from Rhein Chemie (Mannheim, Germany), BLACK SMOKE N660 available from Continental Carbon (Houston, TX), and DIDP EZ MIX available from Hallstar (Chicago, IL). Additionally, Sulfur MC-98 was also available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), MBTS-75 available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), and PB (TETD) 75 available from Rhein Chemie (Mannheim, Germany). TABLE 7. ARAMID BATCH MIXTURE PROCEDURE

    TABLE 8. ARAMID SERIES FORMULATIONS

    [085] The compounds were ground in the 30.48 cm (12 in.) Laboratory mill for 3 minutes and then laminated to about 2 mm thick. The ASTM blades and compression set buttons were molded by compression on a 38.1 cm x 38.1 cm (15 in. X 15 in.) Press with 30 tons of hydraulic pressure. The cure time and temperature for the ASTM blades was 15 minutes at 320 ° F, while those for the compression set buttons were 45 minutes at 320 ° F. The Mooney viscosity tests and Mobile Cavity Rheometer (MDR) followed ASTM standards and used the equipment as listed in Table 9. TABLE 9. LIST OF ASTM STANDARDS AND EQUIPMENT USED FOR MV & MDR TESTS

    [086] Mooney viscosity was tested as ML 1 + 4 (100 ° C (212 ° F)), that is, used large Mooney rotor, 1 minute preheated, 4 minutes after starting the engine in which the reading was taken, and the test temperature was 100 ° C (212 ° F). The MDR rheometer was tested for 5 minutes at 350 ° F.
    [087] Physical tests followed ASTM standards and used the equipment as listed in Table 10. TABLE 10. LIST OF ASTM STANDARDS AND EQUIPMENT USED FOR PHYSICAL TESTS

    [088] Mooney's viscosity and curing characteristics are shown in Table 11. The phr load (part per hundred parts of rubber) of the aramid fiber in Table 11 is the concentration of pure aramid fiber. Because the fiber used in this test is RHENOGRAN P95 with 50% NBR, every part of RHENOGRAN (in Table 8) contains 0.5 part of pure aramid fiber (in Tables 11, 12, and 13). The concentration of pure fiber is used in the following discussions. Example 1 is the control compound, which is a typical production compound for annular BOPs such as, GX11-5, that is, compound B. Examples 21 and 24 are identical in formulation in order to determine the repeatability of this experiment. Comparing the Mooney and MDR viscosity results between Examples 21 and 24, good repeatability of this mixing series can be seen. TABLE 11. MOONEY VISCOSITY AND HEALING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARAMID SERIES

    [089] As shown in Figure 15, viscosity decreases with increasing fiber load. The effect of fiber on curing characteristics is negligible, for example, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, Dependence on cure rate (Tc90), abrasion (Ts2), or maximum and minimum torques (MH and ML) in the concentration fiber is lightweight and random. In order to adjust the hardness, the carbon black was reduced and then the plasticizer was added with the increase in the fiber load as shown in Table 8, which can contribute to the compensation of the maximum torque and the decrease in viscosity.
    [090] Physical properties are shown in Table 12. TABLE 12. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ARAMID SERIES


    [091] Figure 18 shows the hardness that changes with the addition of aramid fiber. Although the carbon black is reduced and the plasticizer is added, the fiber-reinforced compounds have slightly higher hardness (2 to 3 Shore A points) than the control compound when the fiber concentration is not above 5 phr. The increase in hardness becomes significant when the fiber load is above 7.5 phr.
    [092] Tensile strength and tear strength tests were conducted on specimens cut from ASTM plates in both directions with and through the grain (see Figure 19). As shown in Figure 20, the tensile strength decreases with increasing fiber load except for low fiber concentration, for example not above 2.50 phr. These trends are very similar between the two directions with and through the grain.
    [093] As shown in Figure 21, in both directions with and through the grain, the change in elongation is not significant at low fiber concentrations, however, at 10 phr high fiber load, the grain elongation drops to 89 %.
    [094] As shown in Figure 22, as the fiber load increases, the M100 module with the grain increases, while the same through the grain also increases, although not as much as the one with the grain. The anisotropy in stiffness introduced by the aramid fiber is Significant. Similar trends are seen for the M300 module although at a lower level.
    [095] In the present context for ease of analysis, two parameters are defined as follows: a) Module improvement factor M100 FE (M100): FE (M100-w) = M100 (with grain) / M1 OO (Control ); FE (M100-x) = M100 (through the grain) ZMIOO (Control); b) stiffness anisotropy index of M100 IA (M100) IA (M100) = M100 (∞m grain) / M100 (through the grain)
    [096] The results calculated for these parameters are listed in Table 13 and plotted in Figure 23. By definition, the FE (M100) for the control compound (Example 17) is 1.00. The IA (M100) for the control compound (Example 17) is 1.04. The slight anisotropy of Example 17 is attributed to its "regular grain", that is, the orientation of the polymeric chain and carbon black structures. TABLE 13. MODULE STRENGTH FACTOR (FE) AND RIGIDITY ANISOTROPY INDEX (IA) OF THE ARAMID SERIES

    [097] In Example 19, with 2.5 phr of aramid fiber, the improvement factor of M100 with the grain is 2.88, and the stiffness anisotropy index is 2.04. In other words, the M100 module with the grain is almost 200% larger than the control compound and is 100% larger than its equivalent through the grain.
    [098] The breaking strength increases with the addition of the aramid fiber as shown in Figure 24. Especially, when the fiber load is 2.5 phr or more, the breaking strength through the grain increases by about 400 Ibs / in ., that is, 45% higher than the control.
    [099] Figure 25 shows the compression set of the laboratory series. With a low fiber load (2.5 phr or less), the compression set is unaffected by the aramid fiber. When the fiber load is 3.75 phr or more, the compression set increases slightly, except for Example 17. In general, the effect of aramid fiber on the compression set is not significant.
    [0100] Fiber dispersion and orientation were determined by observing surfaces in cross-section parallel or perpendicular to the grain direction using the Caltex 3D digital video microscope system. The broken surfaces of the traction specimens were observed under the optical microscope. The surface of the parallel specimen has many more fiber pullout heads than the surface of its perpendicular equivalent with the same fiber load. In addition, although the distribution of these fiber pullout heads over the broken surface of the parallel specimen is proportional, those of the perpendicular specimen are randomly distributed. The examples of Example 21 are shown in Figure 26. These phenomena show the orientation of the aramid fibers in the ASTM plates, which is consistent with the modulus improvement and rigidity anisotropy of the fiber-enhanced elastomer.
    [0101] To observe the orientation of the fiber in an annular expandable plug molded to provide aligned fibers parallel to the geometric axis, an annular anisotropic sample was taken. Example 21, a mixed fiber-reinforced compound, was ground in the laboratory mill and laminated to about 2 mm thick. The preparation belts were cut 90 degrees through the direction of the mill (Figure 27-a). The preparation belts were wound around the mold core so that the mill direction is parallel to the annular geometric axis (Figure 27-b and c). When the mold was closed, the upper half of the mold pushed the compound to flow downwards (Figure 27-d). The size of the annular sample is shown in Figure 27-e, with visual comparison to a pen. The curing condition was 45 minutes at 300 ° F.
    [0102] The small rubber rods were cut and removed from the expandable sample buffer of 5.08 cm (2 in.), So that the surfaces in cross section are parallel or perpendicular to the geometric axis of the expandable buffer. The expandable plug was molded from Example 21. As shown in Figure 15, the surface perpendicular to the expandable plug geometry axis (28-a) is similar to the “grain” specimen of the ASTM plate (26-a), while the surface parallel to the expandable plug geometric axis (28-b) is similar to the specimen “through the grain” (26-b). In other words, the aramid fibers in the 2 ”sample expandable buffer are oriented with the expandable buffer geometry. This is attributed to the way the compost was loaded into the mold, that is, the grinding grain is parallel to the geometric axis and the rubber flows downwards when the mold is closed, as shown in Figure 27.
    [0103] When the aramid fiber load was increased to 2.5 phr or more, the resistance to breaking increased significantly; however, the tensile strength decreases as the fiber exceeds 2.5 ph and the elongation decreased at high fiber concentrations, as shown in Figure 29. Therefore, 2.5 phr was tested for the optimal fiber load in terms of strength balance breaking, tensile strength and elongation. At this fiber concentration, the modulus with the grain is tremendously improved from the control compound B, in addition the modulus through the grain is much smaller than the rigid compounds like compound C and compound D, which have problems closing when produced as an annular GX11-5. Therefore, Example 19 was selected as the pilot compound for the annular molded BOP test.
    [0104] The pilot compound formulations and the mixing procedure are shown in Tables 14 and 15, respectively. The mixture was conducted in a 220 liter Banbury mix. The master batch of the pilot compound included the NIPOL elastomer DN 1201 available from Zeon Chemicals LP (Louisville, KY), aramid fibers RHENOGRAN P95-50 / NBR available from Rhein Chemie (Mannheim, Germany), NUMBER OF SMOKE N326 available from Continental Carbon (Houston, TX), SMOKE NEGRO N660 available from Continental Carbon (Houston, TX), amorphous silica HI SIL ™ 243-LD available from PPG Industries Inc. (Monroeville, PA), stearically hindered amine TMQ available from Western Reserve Chemical (Stow, OH), SANTOFLEX 13 antioxidant available from Flexsys America LP (Akron, OH), SP25 ADHESION RESIN available from SI Group Inc. (Schenectady, NY), STERIC ACID available from Hallstar ( Chicago, IL), DIDP EZ MIX available from Hallstar (Chicago, IL), ZnO911C-85 / NBR / S available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), PROCESS AUXILIARY WB222 available from Struktol (Stow, OH). To this master batch the following were added: Sulfur MC-98 available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), MBTS-75 available from Akrochem (Akron, OH), and PB (TETD) 75 available from Rhein Chemie (Mannheim, Germany). TABLE 14. PILOT COMPOUND FORMULATION
    TABLE 15. PILOT COMPOUND MIXTURE PROCEDURE FIRST PASS
    FINAL PASS

    [0105] Pilot batches of aramid fiber reinforced compost were mixed in the production-size Banbury mixer (220 liters). No mixing time or extra energy is required to distribute or disperse the fibers in the composite. The molding equipment used as the mill, mold and prep press are the same as those for a standard GX11-5 expandable plug. However, care must be taken to follow the strategies as described below to ensure that the grain is parallel to the expandable plug geometric axis.
    [0106] The annular expandable plug is designed to take advantage of the anisotropy of stiffness of the fiber-reinforced compound. The fiber orientation is parallel to the annular geometric axis so that the expandable plug is vertically rigid to withstand well hole pressure, but horizontally flexible for easy closure, as shown in Figure 30. Processing strategies are as follows : a) Grind the compound to improve fiber orientation; b) loading the mold so that the grinding grains of the preparations are parallel to the geometric axis of the expandable buffer; c) loading and closing the soft so that the compound flows dominantly vertically so that the directionality of the reinforcement fibers is further developed.
    [0107] The pilot batches of the pilot batch compound were ground in a 22 ”OD x 59” two-cylinder mill for about 3 minutes. Preparation belt A was rolled longitudinally parallel to the mill direction. Multiple layers of preparation belt A were cut and loaded into the mold between the metal inserts so that the mill direction is parallel to the expandable plug geometry axis (Figure 31-a). Preparation belt B was cut from the mill perpendicular to the mill direction, and wound in the mold longitudinally perpendicular to the mold axis so that the grain is parallel to the expandable plug axis (Figure 31b). When the mold was closed, the upper half of the mold pushed the flow of compost down. The demoulded expandable plug is shown in Figure 31-c. The cure time was 2 hours at 250 ° F, then 2.5 hours at 275 ° F, followed by 9 hours at 295 ° F.
    [0108] The characteristic seal tests of the BOP followed the specification of API 16A, 5.7.3.1. a) The BOP was closed with 1,000 psi Pc (closing pressure), and the pattern regularities were recorded. b) The 5 ”OD test tube was installed in the BOP. The BOP was closed until 250 psi of Pw could be sealed. The PC was reduced until a slight leak occurred. The Pc was increased until it was sealed again. The Pc for the second seal was registered. c) Pw (working pressure) was increased to 5,000 psi, and Pc was recorded. The BOP was opened and the test tube was removed. d) The BOP was closed until 250 psi of Pw could be sealed. The PC was reduced until a slight leak occurred. The Pc was then increased and resealed. Pc was registered for the second fence. e) The number of flexion cycles required before the expandable buffer retained 250 psi of Pw was recorded. f) Pw has been increased to 2,500 psi. The PC was reduced until a slight leak occurred. The Pc was increased until it was sealed again. Pc was registered for the second fence.
    [0109] The fatigue test followed the API 16A specification, 5.7.3.2. a) The diameter of the test mandrel was 12.7 cm (5 in.). b) The BOP was closed and opened six times with a closing pressure of 1,000 psi, maintaining a well bore pressure of 250 psi for 3 minutes. c) The BOP was closed a seventh time with Pc of 1,000 psi and Pw of 5,000 psi, the waiting time was 3 minutes; the relaxation time was 5 minutes. d) Steps b and c were repeated until the expandable buffer leaked, and pressure cycles (all 7 function cycles) were recorded.
    [0110] The physical properties of the main pilot batch and the sealing characteristics of annular anisotropic GX11-5 are listed in Tables 16 and 16A compared to GX11-5 expandable plugs molded from various rigid compounds, as well as the standard compound B. TABLE 16. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ELASTOMER COMPOUND

    TABLE 16A. ELASTOMER ANNULAR SEAL CHARACTERISTICS The letters are references to the test procedure described above

    [0111] Compound C has the highest modulus and the GX11-5 annular molded from it cannot close the 5 ”tube. The compound D-A has the second high module and its annular GX11 -5 can close the 5 ”tube, however, it cannot close the CSO (complete closure), is that correct And is there a better way to describe the term in relation to the test even with the extremely high Pc (3,000 psi). Compound B has the lowest modulus and it can close the 5 ”or CSO tube with the lowest closing pressure. Two batches of Compound D have the module between the more rigid compounds of Compound C / Compound DA and the standard compound B, their GX11-5 expandable plugs require much higher closing pressure to close the 5 ”or CSO tube, and the require much more flexion cycles, that is, 16 vs. 6, to achieve complete closure, compared to the standard GX11-5. However, the expandable plugs of this rigid C or Compound D-A have a longer fatigue life. The tested expandable plugs molded from Compound C / Compound D-A have 300 to 500 more fatigue cycles, while the standard of Compound B has 150 fatigue cycles.
    [0112] For the fiber reinforced pilot compound, the M100 with the grain is the highest among the tested compounds, and the M300 with the grain is comparable to Compound D, while its M100 through the grain is similar to Compound D, and M300 through the grain is lower than Compound D, but higher than Compound B. Comparing the sealing characteristics of the fiber-reinforced GX11 -5 with the others, the closing pressure MP 5 ”tube with pressure 250 well psi borehole is the same as for Compound D. In test step b, is step b found in the seal or fatigue test In the 5 ”tube with 5,000 psi well bore pressure, the expandable plug of the pilot compound requires 300 Pc, which is the same as the standard of Compound B and lower than all others listed. To close the 250 psi CSC, the Pw, Pc and flex cycles of the pilot compound's anisotropic expandable buffer are slightly higher than the standard for Compound B, even much lower than the other expandable buffers listed. In test step d, only the expandable plugs of the pilot compound and Compound B passed the specific maximum Pc of 2,000 psi. However, the CSO Pc with 2,500 psi Pw for the expandable buffer of the pilot compound failed at the specific maximum Pc of 2,000 psi, just like the other expandable plugs listed, except the standard.
    [0113] The standard regularity of the pilot compound expandable buffer in test step a is good, as shown in Figure 32. The fatigue life for the pilot compound anisotropic expandable buffer is 206 cycles, which is 37% higher than the standard expandable plug of Compound B, although it is much smaller than these rigid expandable plugs.
    [0114] It is notable that carbon black systems are similar between Compound C and Compound DA, but different from Compound B. The carbon black systems in Compound C and Compound DA have higher reinforcement structures and higher loads than Compound B, which contributes to its higher rigidity / modulus and higher hardness. Consequently, they provide high fatigue life, however, they sacrifice good sealing characteristics. The pilot compound is formulated with Bse in Compound B with the addition of 2.5 phr of aramid fiber and a reduction of 7 phr of carbon black N660. The low-load short fiber provides modulus anisotropy and increased stiffness, higher tear strength, yet the same hardness, providing longer fatigue life and also comparable sealing characteristics.
    [0115] The pilot compound, the annular nitrile compound with 2.5 hpr of aramid fiber in pre-treated pulp, exhibits increased modulus and anisotropic stiffness. It has tensile strength, elongation, defined hardness and compressions, even higher breaking strength compared to the Compound B control compound.
    [0116] The desired fiber orientation can be achieved in an annular expandable buffer by laminating and cutting the elastomer preparations appropriately, loading and closing the mold, so that the grain of the preparations is parallel to the geometric axis of the expandable buffer and the elastomer to flow in a predominantly vertical manner.
    [0117] The GX11-5 expandable anisotropic buffer suitably molded from the pilot compound has 37% higher fatigue cycles and comparable sealing characteristics compared to the Compound B expandable control buffer.
    [0118] The achievements disclosed in this document can also be designed to replace existing packing units in existing annular BOPs. For example, a BOP can have a removable head or separate removable housing. A packing unit, in accordance with the achievements disclosed in this document, can then be installed to replace an existing packing unit arranged within the BOP. Although such an achievement may require modification of the BOP, significant savings can be obtained by reusing the components. In some embodiments, the present invention can also replace the prior art packing units without modifying the BOP.
    [0119] Although the invention has been described in relation to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art who have the benefit of the present description, will appreciate that other embodiments can be designed without departing from the scope of the invention, as disclosed in the present document. Consequently, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (21)
    [0001]
    1. EXPANDABLE CAP UNIT for an annular eruption preventer (101), characterized by comprising: an annular elastomer body (107) comprising an elastomer that has a unidirectional grain that is arranged in a direction parallel with an axis of the preventer rash (101); a hole that extends through the body of the annular elastometer (107) and that defines a longitudinal axis; and a quantity of fiber (141) aligned longitudinally with the grain of the elastomer and with the longitudinal axis.
    [0002]
    2. UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the fiber (141) comprises at least one of a polyester and aramid fiber.
    [0003]
    3. UNIT according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a pre-treated aramid fiber pulp.
    [0004]
    4. UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the fiber (141) varies from the pulp size by 9 mm.
    [0005]
    UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular body (107) comprises from 1.25 to 3.75 parts per hundred of rubber (phr) of fiber.
    [0006]
    UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of metal inserts radially distributed over the longitudinal axis and arranged within the annular elastomer body (107).
    [0007]
    7. UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the hole defines a sealing surface of the plug unit, and in which the sealing surface is operable to be moved inwardly in the direction of the longitudinal axis to completely seal the hole.
    [0008]
    8. UNIT, according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomer additionally comprises at least one among sulfur, antioxidants, plasticizers, carbon black, process aids, accelerators, and ZnO-based compounds.
    [0009]
    UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomer comprises a polymer based on carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR).
    [0010]
    10. UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomer comprises a polymer based on nitrile rubber (NBR).
    [0011]
    11. UNIT according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomer comprises a hydrogenated nitrile rubber based polymer (HNBR).
    [0012]
    12. UNIT, according to claim 1, characterized by the elastometer being anisotropic.
    [0013]
    13. METHOD FOR FORMING A PACKAGING UNIT (105) for a rash preventer (101), characterized by comprising the steps of: forming a fiber-reinforced elastomer (141) which comprises aligning the fibers (141) with a grain of one elastomer; cutting a portion of the fiber-reinforced elastomer (141); loading the cut portion into a packing unit mold (105), where the packing unit mold (105) is configured to form an annular elastomer body (107) that inserts into the eruption preventer (101) and has an orifice that extends through the body, defining an axis of the packing unit mold (105), and in which the cut portion is loaded into the packing unit mold (105) in such a way that the grain of the elastomer reinforced by fiber (141) of the cut portion is parallel to the geometric axis of the packing unit (105); and heating the loaded packing unit mold (105).
    [0014]
    14. METHOD, according to claim 13, characterized in that the alignment comprises at least one among grinding and extruding the fiber-reinforced elastomer (141).
    [0015]
    METHOD according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises placing metal inserts (109) in the packing unit mold (105).
    [0016]
    16. METHOD, according to claim 13, characterized by cutting the portion of the fiber-reinforced elastomer (141) comprising cutting the portion with the grain, such that a longitudinal axis of the cut portion is aligned with the axis of the mold of packing unit (105).
    [0017]
    17. METHOD according to claim 13, characterized by cutting the portion of the fiber-reinforced elastomer (141) comprising cutting the portion through the grain, such that a longitudinal axis of the cut portion is perpendicular to the packing unit mold (105).
    [0018]
    18. METHOD, according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises loading a plurality of cut pieces into the mold.
    [0019]
    19. METHOD according to claim 18, characterized in that a longitudinal geometric axis of the cut portion or the plurality of cut portion is aligned with the geometric axis of the packing unit mold (105).
    [0020]
    20. METHOD according to claim 18, characterized in that a longitudinal geometric axis of the cut portion or the plurality of cut portion is perpendicular to the packing unit mold (105).
    [0021]
    21. ANNUAL ERUPTION PREVENTOR to be installed in a well, characterized by comprising: a housing (102) that has an orifice that extends through it on a longitudinal geometric axis; a packing unit (105) arranged in a housing (102) on the longitudinal geometric axis, where the packing unit comprises: an elastomer body (107) that includes a compound selected from the group consisting of a nitrile rubber (NBR), a carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR), or a hydrogenated nitrile rubber based polymer (HNBR) that has a polymeric chain and a unidirectional orientation grain; and a quantity of fiber (141) aligned longitudinally with the grain of the elastomer and aligned with the longitudinal axis; and a piston (117) configured to move along the longitudinal axis and to tighten the packing unit towards the longitudinal axis.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    WO2014004420A2|2014-01-03|
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    BR112014031040A2|2017-06-27|
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    CN104411918A|2015-03-11|
    US20130341538A1|2013-12-26|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-04| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according art. 34 industrial property law|
    2020-02-04| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: suspension of the patent application procedure|
    2020-08-25| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2020-10-06| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 25/06/2013, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/533,365|US9016659B2|2012-06-26|2012-06-26|Fiber reinforced elastomer anisotropic annular blowout preventer|
    US13/533,365|2012-06-26|
    PCT/US2013/047458|WO2014004420A2|2012-06-26|2013-06-25|Fiber reinforced elastomer anisotropic annular blowout preventer|
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