DOWNHOLE STATIC POWER GENERATOR
A downhole static power generator according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprises a static charge accumulator comprising a dielectric material having a surface to contact a flowing dielectric fluid. The static charge accumulator may be configured to accumulate electrical-potential in response to the dielectric fluid flowing across the surface. In addition, an electrical-potential storage device may be provided to receive the electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator. A charge harvesting device may also be provided to shunt electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator to the electrical-potential storage device.
1 . A system for use in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
an electrical power consuming device disposed in the well; and
a static power generator located downhole in the well and electrically connected to the electrical power consuming device, the static power generator to provide electrical-potential to the electrical power consuming device in response to a dielectric fluid flowing across the static power generator.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the static power generator comprises a static charge accumulator formed of a dielectric material.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the dielectric material comprises polyvinyl chloride.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric fluid comprises primarily oil.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the static power generator and the electrical power consuming device are electrically connected through an electrical-potential storage device.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid separator in fluid communication with the static power generator.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the static power generator comprises:
a static charge accumulator comprising a dielectric material having a surface in contact with the flowing dielectric fluid; and
an electrical-potential storage device to receive the electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the dielectric material comprises polyvinyl chloride.
9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the static charge accumulator comprises a tubular shaped member.
10 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a fluid separator in fluid communication with the static power generator.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the static power generator comprises:
a static charge accumulator comprising a dielectric material having a surface in contact with the flowing dielectric fluid;
an electrical-potential storage device to receive the electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator; and
a charge harvesting device to shunt electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator to the electrical-potential storage device.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the dielectric material comprises polyvinyl chloride.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the static charge accumulator comprises a tubular shaped member.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the static charge accumulator comprises a tubular shaped member having a fluid passageway to pass the flowing dielectric fluid.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the dielectric material comprises polyvinyl chloride.
16 . A method for providing electrical power in a subterranean well, comprising:
accumulating electrical-potential in response to a dielectric fluid flowing in the subterranean well; and
providing the electrical-potential to an electrical power consuming device.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising shunting the accumulated electrical-potential to an electrical-potential storage device.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
producing a formation fluid comprising the dielectric fluid and a conductive fluid; and
separating the dielectric fluid from the conductive fluid.
19 . A downhole static power generator, comprising:
a static charge accumulator comprising a dielectric material having a surface to contact a flowing dielectric fluid, wherein the static charge accumulator accumulates electrical-potential in response to the dielectric fluid flowing across the surface;
an electrical-potential storage device to receive the electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator; and
a charge harvesting device to shunt electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator to the electrical-potential storage device.
20 . The downhole static power generator of claim 19 , wherein the static charge accumulator comprises a tubular shaped member having a fluid passageway defined by the surface, wherein the dielectric material comprises polyvinyl chloride.