Laboratory Set-Up for Determination of Cement Sheath Integrity During Pressure Cycling

Author(s):  
Ragnhild Skorpa ◽  
Thomas Øia ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Torbjørn Vrålstad

The annular cement sheath is one of the most important well barrier elements, both during production and after well abandonment. It is however well-known that repeated pressure and temperature variations in the wellbore during production and injection can have a detrimental effect on the integrity of the cement sheath. Degradation of cement sheaths result in formation of cracks and microannuli, which leads to loss of zonal isolation and subsequent pressure build-up in the annulus. It is therefore important to study and understand cement sheath failure mechanisms to prevent such barrier failures. A unique laboratory set-up with downscaled samples of rock, cement and pipe has been constructed to study cement sheath failure mechanisms such as radial crack formation and debonding during pressure cycling. Cement integrity before and after pressure cycling is monitored by X-ray computed tomography (CT), which enables 3D visualization and quantification of radial cracks formed inside the cement sheath as well as debonding towards casing and formation. This paper describes this laboratory set-up in detail. Furthermore, some preliminary experimental results are also included that demonstrates the applicability and functionality of the new set-up.

Author(s):  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Nils Opedal ◽  
Ragnhild Skorpa ◽  
Torbjørn Vrålstad

The annular cement sheath is one of the most important well barrier elements, both during production and after well abandonment. It is however well-known that repeated pressure and temperature variations in the wellbore during production and injection can have a detrimental effect on the integrity of the cement sheath. Degradation of cement sheaths result in formation of cracks and microannuli, which leads to loss of zonal isolation and subsequent pressure build-up in the annulus. A unique laboratory set-up with downscaled samples of rock, cement and pipe has been constructed to study cement sheath failure mechanisms such as debonding and crack formation during thermal cycling. Cement integrity before and after thermal cycling is visualized in 3D by X-ray computed tomography (CT). However, this previous set-up had some significant limitations such as lack of direct physical confinement around the rock. This lack of direct confinement created unrealistic outer boundary conditions around the rocks during experiments as opposed to field conditions, which influenced the obtained experimental results. This paper describes in detail an improved version of this laboratory set-up, where the set-up has been redesigned to include direct physical confinement around the rock as well as improved cement placement, while retaining all the advantages of the previous set-up.


Author(s):  
Ragnhild Skorpa ◽  
Benjamin Werner ◽  
Torbjørn Vrålstad

Abstract It is crucial to understand cement sheath degradation mechanisms, since the cement sheath is an important well barrier element. Repeated pressure cycling is known to cause radial cracks and microannuli in the cement sheath, and the stiffness of the surrounding rock determines how much pressure the cement withstands before failure. However, experimental data on the effect of surrounding rock (shale vs. sandstone) on cement sheath integrity are scarce. In this paper we present experimental studies on how different surrounding rocks influence cement sheath integrity. We have used our unique downscaled experimental set-up to perform pressure cycling tests with both shale and sandstones, where cement sheath integrity is visualized in 3D by X-ray computer tomography (CT). The obtained results confirm that a cement sheath surrounded by a rock with a relative higher Young’s modulus can withstand higher casing pressure compared to a cement sheath surrounded by rock with relative lower Young modulus. All cracks were initially observed as small defects in the cement sheath prior to expanding to full radial cracks and propagation into the surrounding formation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjørn Vrålstad ◽  
Ragnhild Skorpa ◽  
Nils Opedal ◽  
Jelena Todorovic ◽  
Nicolaine Agofack ◽  
...  

Abstract Development of geothermal energy sources is an important contribution to ensure the “green shift” from fossil fuels to more sustainable sources of energy. Currently, most geothermal wells operate at temperature range of 150–300° C, but development of super-high temperature geothermal reservoirs may be needed to increase power production. However, the high temperature conditions to be found in such wells, up to 400–500 °C, are very challenging and may be detrimental for the integrity of well cement. In this paper, several cement integrity challenges for high temperature geothermal wells are reviewed, such as mechanical failures during well start-up and potential shut-in periods, and long-term issues caused by chemical alterations of the cement during high temperature exposure. Experimental tests have been performed with two different, potential geothermal well cement systems: a Portland-based system with silica flour and MicroSilica as additives, and a non-Portland, calcium aluminate cement system. For both cement systems, high temperature ageing tests have been performed at 500 °C for 8 weeks, where unconfined mechanical properties were determined before and after exposure. Furthermore, down-scaled tests of radial crack formation in casing-cement-rock samples have been performed, as simplified functions tests of cement sheath integrity during well start-up.


Author(s):  
T. Gulik-Krzywicki ◽  
M.J. Costello

Freeze-etching electron microscopy is currently one of the best methods for studying molecular organization of biological materials. Its application, however, is still limited by our imprecise knowledge about the perturbations of the original organization which may occur during quenching and fracturing of the samples and during the replication of fractured surfaces. Although it is well known that the preservation of the molecular organization of biological materials is critically dependent on the rate of freezing of the samples, little information is presently available concerning the nature and the extent of freezing-rate dependent perturbations of the original organizations. In order to obtain this information, we have developed a method based on the comparison of x-ray diffraction patterns of samples before and after freezing, prior to fracturing and replication.Our experimental set-up is shown in Fig. 1. The sample to be quenched is placed on its holder which is then mounted on a small metal holder (O) fixed on a glass capillary (p), whose position is controlled by a micromanipulator.


Author(s):  
Hongying Shan ◽  
Chuang Wang ◽  
Cungang Zou ◽  
Mengyao Qin

This paper is a study of the dynamic path planning problem of the pull-type multiple Automated Guided Vehicle (multi-AGV) complex system. First, based on research status at home and abroad, the conflict types, common planning algorithms, and task scheduling methods of different AGV complex systems are compared and analyzed. After comparing the different algorithms, the Dijkstra algorithm was selected as the path planning algorithm. Secondly, a mathematical model is set up for the shortest path of the total driving path, and a general algorithm for multi-AGV collision-free path planning based on a time window is proposed. After a thorough study of the shortcomings of traditional single-car planning and conflict resolution algorithms, a time window improvement algorithm for the planning path and the solution of the path conflict covariance is established. Experiments on VC++ software showed that the improved algorithm reduces the time of path planning and improves the punctual delivery rate of tasks. Finally, the algorithm is applied to material distribution in the OSIS workshop of a C enterprise company. It can be determined that the method is feasible in the actual production and has a certain application value by the improvement of the data before and after the comparison.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Zhiguo Lu ◽  
Chuanyu Du ◽  
Qingcai Chen ◽  
Tianying Niu ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
...  

The friction and wear characteristics of spike-tooth material (65Mn steel) of Spike-Tooth Harrow in a two-stage peanut harvester were studied in this paper. The friction and wear tests of pin and disc on 65 manganese steel were carried out on the tribometer, then the wear loss and the friction coefficient were studied. The wear loss of the pin was acquired by calculating the mass of the pin before and after the experiment using an electronic balance. According to the actual working environment of peanut spring-finger, four variable parameters are set up: load, speed, soil moisture and soil type. The friction and wear characteristics of pins were studied under different loads, speeds and different soil environments. After wearing, the worn surface of the material was observed by scanning microscope and the wear mechanism was studied. The experimental results show that the wear of the pin increases with the increase of load and decreases with the increase of rotational speed in the same rotation number. Especially in the case of the sandy soil with 20% in moisture, a maximum wear loss of the pin is achieved.


Landslides ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Brezzi ◽  
Alberto Bisson ◽  
Davide Pasa ◽  
Simonetta Cola

AbstractA large number of landslides occur in North-Eastern Italy during every rainy period due to the particular hydrogeological conditions of this area. Even if there are no casualties, the economic losses are often significant, and municipalities frequently do not have sufficient financial resources to repair the damage and stabilize all the unstable slopes. In this regard, the research for more economically sustainable solutions is a crucial challenge. Floating composite anchors are an innovative and low-cost technique set up for slope stabilization: it consists in the use of passive sub-horizontal reinforcements, obtained by coupling a traditional self-drilling bar with some tendons cemented inside it. This work concerns the application of this technique according to the observational method described within the Italian and European technical codes and mainly recommended for the design of geotechnical works, especially when performed in highly uncertain site conditions. The observational method prescribes designing an intervention and, at the same time, using a monitoring system in order to correct and adapt the project during realization of the works on the basis of new data acquired while on site. The case study is the landslide of Cischele, a medium landslide which occurred in 2010 after an exceptional heavy rainy period. In 2015, some floating composite anchors were installed to slow down the movement, even if, due to a limited budget, they were not enough to ensure the complete stabilization of the slope. Thanks to a monitoring system installed in the meantime, it is now possible to have a comparison between the site conditions before and after the intervention. This allows the evaluation of benefits achieved with the reinforcements and, at the same time, the assessment of additional improvements. Two stabilization scenarios are studied through an FE model: the first includes the stabilization system built in 2015, while the second evaluates a new solution proposed to further increase the slope stability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S131-S132
Author(s):  
Kathryn Hogan ◽  
Beena Umar ◽  
Mohamed Alhamar ◽  
Kathleen Callahan ◽  
Linoj Samuel

Abstract Objectives There are few papers that characterize types of errors in microbiology laboratories and scant research demonstrating the effects of interventions on microbiology lab errors. This study aims to categorize types of culture reporting errors found in microbiology labs and to document the error rates before and after interventions designed to reduce errors and improve overall laboratory quality. Methods To improve documentation of error incidence, a self-reporting system was changed to an automatic reporting system. Errors were categorized into five types Gram stain (misinterpretations), identification (incorrect analysis), set up labeling (incorrect patient labels), procedures (not followed), and miscellaneous. Error rates were tracked according to technologist, and technologists were given real-time feedback by a manager. Error rates were also monitored in the daily quality meeting and frequently detected errors were discussed at staff meetings. Technologists attended a year-end review with a manager to improve their performance. To maintain these changes, policies were developed to monitor technologist error rate and to define corrective measures. If a certain number of errors per month was reached, technologists were required to undergo retraining by a manager. If a technologist failed to correct any error according to protocol, they were also potentially subject to corrective measures. Results In 2013, we recorded 0.5 errors per 1,000 tests. By 2018, we recorded only 0.1 errors per 1,000 tests, an 80% decrease. The yearly culture volume from 2013 to 2018 increased by 32%, while the yearly error rate went from 0.05% per year to 0.01% per year, a statistically significant decrease (P = .0007). Conclusion This study supports the effectiveness of the changes implemented to decrease errors in culture reporting. By tracking errors in real time and using a standardized process that involved timely follow-up, technologists were educated on error prevention. This practice increased safety awareness in our micro lab.


1997 ◽  
Vol 111 (9) ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bjerkhoel ◽  
O. Trobbe

AbstractFrey's syndrome, i.e. gustatory sweating on the cheek, is a fairly common embarrassment after parotid gland surgery. New surgical techniques have been proposed to avoid this complication, but are not widely in use. Hence, there is need for treatment of Frey's syndrome. All surgical and topical treatments have drawbacks. This study was set up in order to evaluate a recently described treatment. One hundred and two patients were interviewed after parotidectomy. Thirty-one of them had noticed gustatory sweating and 15 patients underwent Minor's starch iodine test before, and after, treatment with intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox®, Allergan Inc., USA). Thirteen of the patients did not experience any gustatory sweating at follow-up (one to 13 months). Minor's starch test showed total disappearance of gustatory sweating in 12 of the 15 treated patients. The only side effect was a discreet, transitory affection of the orbicularis oris muscle in one patient. As this treatment is minimally invasive it could be an attractive treatment for Frey's syndrome if the effect is maintained. Complaints of local hypoaesthesia and pain were also common after parotid surgery.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė ◽  
Jurgita Pitrėnaitė

Discussion in the process of teaching refers to a more sophisticated form of conversation, which is more frequently applied working with senior school learners. Problems rather than facts or phenomena are discussed. The question rises if the method of discussion is relevant in lessons of surrounding world learn-ing and whether it enables school learners to acquire knowledge, facilitates its memorisation or allows to ar-rive at solutions to urgent problems. The research involved 18 second formers, 15 school learners of fourth form and 13 students. All the groups of respondents discussed the same problem. Different roles were assigned to the participants in the discussion (a number of respondents represented heads of waste management company, whereas the rest assumed roles of residents of area where waste dump was being set up) and they involved in discussions of issues related to waste management and waste dump establishment. A considerable difference in the results of questionnaires provided to the participants before and after the discussion was observed. It is obvious that the respondents not only gained knowledge but also acquired a different perception and understanding of the problems analysed in the discussion. However, the compari-son of all the results of the survey revealed a stronger educational role of the discussion teaching fourth for-mers. This confirms theoretical statements that this method is more effective with senior school learners. The group of students also found the discussion useful. Key words: primary education, teaching of surrounding world learning, teaching methods, discussion.


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