Methods and systems for maintaining optical transparency during particle image acquisition
Fouling of or damage to an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window can preclude one from obtaining satisfactory images with an image acquisition unit, such as a camera. Certain types of environments may be particularly prone toward promoting fouling or damage, and manual cleaning or repair of an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window may be difficult in some circumstances. These issues may be particularly prevalent when imaging drill cuttings and other solids obtained from a wellbore due to the complex sampling environment in which these solids are often disposed. Wellhead imaging systems can comprise: a flow pathway extending from a wellbore; an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window external to the wellbore establishing optical communication with the flow pathway; an image acquisition unit in optical communication with the flow pathway via the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window; and a movable barrier that is also electromagnetic radiation-transparent and is disposed between the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and the flow pathway.
1. A particle imaging system comprising:
a transparent window external to a wellbore and establishing optical communication with a flow pathway extending from the wellbore;
an image acquisition unit in optical communication with the flow pathway via the transparent window;
a transparent movable film that forms a barrier between the transparent window and the flow pathway; and
a first reel and a second reel between which the transparent movable film is transportable.
2. The particle imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent movable film abuts the transparent window and is in fluid communication with the flow pathway.
3. The particle imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the image acquisition unit comprises a lens that is spaced apart from the transparent window.
4. The particle imaging system of claim 3 , wherein the transparent window is a lens of the image acquisition unit.
5. The particle imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent movable film comprises a continuous loop configured to scroll between the first reel and the second reel.
6. The particle imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning mechanism for the transparent movable film.
7. The particle imaging system of claim 1 , wherein transparent movable film includes at least one of a dopant and a plurality of wavelength-selective slits.
8. A particle imaging system comprising:
a flow pathway extending from a wellbore;
an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window external to the wellbore and establishing optical communication with the flow pathway;
an image acquisition unit in optical communication with the flow pathway via the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window; and
a movable barrier that is also electromagnetic radiation-transparent and is disposed between the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and the flow pathway.
9. The particle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the movable barrier abuts the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and is in fluid communication with the flow pathway.
10. The particle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the image acquisition unit is a camera.
11. The particle imaging system of claim 10 , wherein a lens comprising the camera is spaced apart from the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window.
12. The particle imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window is a lens of the camera.
13. The particle imaging system of claim 10 , wherein the camera comprises a camera type selected from the group consisting of a visible light camera, a near-infrared camera, a mid-infrared camera, a far-infrared camera, and any combination thereof.
14. The particle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein the image acquisition unit acquires an image from within the flow pathway upon receipt of electromagnetic radiation having a triggering wavelength signature.
15. The particle imaging system of claim 8 , wherein a drilling mud screen comprises at least a portion of the flow pathway.
16. A system, comprising:
a flow pathway extending from a wellbore, the flow pathway configured to contain a fluid containing a plurality of solids;
an image acquisition unit that is in optical communication with the flow pathway via an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and that is configured to acquire an image of the solids, the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window being located external to the wellbore; and
a movable barrier also being electromagnetic radiation-transparent, wherein a first section of the movable barrier is configured to be disposed between the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and the flow pathway and to be replaced with a second section of the movable barrier upon buildup of an interfering substance on the first section of the movable barrier.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the movable barrier abuts the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and is in fluid communication with the flow pathway.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the image acquisition unit comprises at least one of a visible light camera, a near-infrared camera, a mid-infrared camera, and a far-infrared camera.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the movable barrier comprises an electromagnetic radiation-transparent film.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the image acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image from within the flow pathway upon receipt of electromagnetic radiation having a triggering wavelength signature.