US 11,746,641 B2
Methods to improve fluid flow of a multi-phase mixture, methods to separate fluids of a multiphase mixture, and multi-phase fluid mixture systems
Ketankumar Kantilal Sheth, Tulsa, OK (US); Robert Charles De Long, Sand Springs, OK (US); and Donn J. Brown, Broken Arrow, OK (US)
Assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/489,232.
Application 17/489,232 is a division of application No. 16/656,439, filed on Oct. 17, 2019, granted, now 11,162,348.
Prior Publication US 2022/0018237 A1, Jan. 20, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 43/38 (2006.01); E21B 28/00 (2006.01); E21B 49/08 (2006.01); E21B 47/10 (2012.01)
CPC E21B 43/38 (2013.01) [E21B 28/00 (2013.01); E21B 47/10 (2013.01); E21B 49/08 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method to separate fluids of a multi-phase mixture, the method comprising:
positioning a first acoustic device and a second acoustic device around a conveyance that provides a fluid flow path for a fluid mixture of a first fluid in a first phase and a second fluid in a second phase to flow within the conveyance;
determining a flow rate and a fluid condition of the fluid mixture;
generating a standing acoustic wave through the conveyance based on the flow rate and the fluid condition of the fluid mixture;
utilizing an acoustic amplifier disposed around the exterior surface of the conveyance to amplify the standing acoustic wave; and
forming one or more pressure nodes and one or more pressure anti-nodes within the conveyance to separate the first fluid from the second fluid.