High-energy X-ray source and detector for wellbore inspection
A system, method, and apparatus for wellbore inspection comprise an electron accelerator to generate X-rays, a rotating collimator assembly configured to produce a cone of X-rays, and at least one detector assembly configured to collect backscattered X-rays. A position assembly can be provided to move the electron accelerator, rotating collimator assembly, and detector through a wellbore. A computer system is configured to receive data from the detector and generate an image of the wellbore.
1. A wellbore inspection system comprising:
a Radio Frequency (RF) powered electron accelerator to generate X-rays, said Radio Frequency (RF) powered electron accelerator further comprising:
a housing;
an RF accelerating cavity;
an electron gun;
cooling equipment for controlling the temperature of the RF accelerating cavity; and
vacuum equipment for drawing a vacuum in the RF accelerating cavity, wherein the Radio Frequency (RF) powered electron accelerator is configured to generate an electron beam of between 5 MeV-40 MeV and fit down a wellbore;
a rotating beam collimator assembly configured to produce a cone of X-rays; and
at least one detector assembly configured to collect backscattered X-rays, the at least one detector assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors.
2. The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 wherein said rotating beam collimator assembly further comprises:
a rotating magnet;
an X-ray target; and
a beam collimator.
3. The wellbore inspection system of claim 2 wherein said beam collimator further comprises a pencil beam collimator.
4. The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 wherein said at least one detector assembly further comprises:
a plurality of detector collimation channels wherein each of said plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors are configured between respective detector collimation channels of said plurality of detector collimation channels.
5. The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 further comprising:
an assembly configured to move said RF powered electron accelerator, said rotating beam collimator assembly, and said at least one detector through a wellbore.
6. The wellbore inspection system of claim 1 further comprising:
a computer system configured to receive data from said detector and generate an image of a wellbore.
7. A wellbore inspection apparatus comprising:
a Radio Frequency (RF) powered electron accelerator to generate X-rays;
a rotating beam collimator assembly connected to the RF powered electron accelerator and configured to produce X-rays; and
at least one detector assembly connected to the rotating beam collimator assembly and configured to collect backscattered X-rays, the at least one detector assembly further comprising a plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors configured between a plurality of detector collimation channels.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said RF powered electron accelerator further comprises:
a housing;
an RF accelerating cavity;
an electron gun;
cooling equipment for controlling the temperature of the RF accelerating cavity; and
vacuum equipment for drawing a vacuum in the RF accelerating cavity, wherein the electron accelerator is configured to generate an electron beam of 5 MeV-40 MeV and fit down a wellbore.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said rotating beam collimator assembly further comprises:
a rotating magnet;
an X-ray target; and
a beam collimator.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said beam collimator further comprises a pencil beam collimator.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
an assembly configured to move said electron accelerator, said rotating beam collimator assembly, and said at least one detector through a wellbore.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
a computer system configured to receive data from said detector and generate an image of a wellbore.
13. A wellbore inspection method comprising:
generating an electron beam with a Radio Frequency (RF) powered electron accelerator;
producing a cone of X-rays from said electron beam with a rotating beam collimator assembly; and
collecting backscattered X-rays with at least one detector assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors, wherein said at least one detector assembly further comprises a plurality of detector collimation channels, wherein each X-ray detector of said plurality of longitudinally arranged X-ray detectors is configured between at least one of said plurality of collimation channels.
14. The wellbore inspection method of claim 13 wherein said RF powered electron accelerator further comprises:
a housing;
an RF accelerating cavity;
an electron gun;
cooling equipment for controlling the temperature of the RF accelerating cavity; and
vacuum equipment for drawing a vacuum in the RF accelerating cavity, wherein the electron accelerator is configured to generate an electron beam of 5 MeV-40 MeV and fit down a wellbore.
15. The wellbore inspection method of claim 13 further comprising:
rotating a magnet by which said electron beam passes;
directing said electron beam on an X-ray target; and
collimating resulting X-rays with a beam collimator.
16. The wellbore inspection method of claim 13 further comprising:
positioning said RF powered electron accelerator, said rotating beam collimator assembly, and said at least one detector in a wellbore with a positioning assembly.
17. The wellbore inspection method of claim 13 further comprising:
analyzing said collected backscattered X-rays with a computer system;
creating an image of a wellbore according to said analysis with said computer system; and
identifying defects in said wellbore with a computer system.