Switchable power allocation in a downhole operation
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool to operate downhole. The tool includes a heater. The tool also includes a cooler. The tool includes a controller to control allocation of power between the heater and the cooler based on a temperature downhole, power usage, a time delay or a pressure downhole.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a tool for a downhole operation, the tool including,
a first component operable at a temperature that is at or above 120 degrees Celsius;
a heater thermally coupled to the first component, wherein the heater is operable to raise the temperature of the first component such that the first component is operable;
a second component coupled to the first component, the second component not operable at a temperature that is at or above 150 degrees Celsius and is operable at a temperature at or below 100 degree Celsius;
a cooler thermally coupled to the second component, wherein the cooler is operable to lower the temperature of the second component such that the second component is operable;
a power source operable to generate power; and
a controller to control allocation of the power between the cooler and the heater based on an ambient temperature.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second component is an electrical component that is part of electronics housed in a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the second component, wherein the power source is to power, at least in part, the second component.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first component is operable at a temperature temperature at or above 175 degrees Celsius.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second component is operable at a temperature at or below 125 degrees Celsius.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second component is operable at a temperature at or below 80 degrees Celsius.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first component is operable at a temperature above 175 degrees Celsius.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a rechargeable energy storage device.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tool further comprises a heat sink coupled to the heater, the heat sink comprising a phase change material.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the heat sink comprises multiple phase change materials.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the controller is operable to allocate more power to the heater after a change of phase of a first phase change material and a second phase change material of the multiple phase change materials.
11. A method comprising:
drilling a borehole using a drill sting for recovery of hydrocarbons, wherein the drill string comprises a downhole tool;
monitoring a parameter downhole with a sensor that is within a first part of the downhole tool, the sensor is operable at or above 150 degrees Celsius;
processing, by a processor, of data that is a result of the monitoring of the parameter downhole, wherein the processor is within a second part of the downhole tool and having an operating temperature at or below 100 degrees Celsius;
determining an ambient temperature of the downhole tool; and
allocating power, by a power source, between a cooler for maintaining a temperature of the processor at the operating temperature and a heater for maintaining a temperature of a rechargeable storage device at an operating temperature.
12. The method of claim 11 , comprising powering, by the power source, the sensor.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a flow-driven generator, a nuclear power source, a chemical engine and a heat engine.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensor and the power source are operable at or above 175 degrees Celsius.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the processor is operable at or below at or below 100 degrees Celsius.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the tool comprises a heat sink coupled to the heater, the heat sink having a phase change material.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the heat sink comprises multiple phase change materials.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising using the controller to allocate power between the heater and cooler, based on a temperature of the phase change materials.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising using the controller to allocate more power to the heater after a change of phase of a first phase change material of the multiple phase change materials.