Inflow control device
An inflow control device, including an upstream flow control structure configured to induce water droplet collisions, and a downstream flow control structure disposed downstream of the upstream flow control structure and comprising a channel formed therethrough. A method of controlling flow including flowing a fluid from a source to a destination through an inflow control device comprising an upstream flow control structure and a downstream flow control structure disposed downstream of the upstream flow control structure and comprising a channel formed therethrough, and inducing water droplet collisions in the upstream flow control structure. A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed in the borehole, and the inflow control device, disposed within or as part of the string.
1 . An inflow control device, comprising:
an upstream flow control structure configured to induce water droplet collisions; and
a downstream flow control structure disposed downstream of the upstream flow control structure and comprising a channel formed therethrough,
wherein the upstream flow control structure is configured to induce water droplet collisions to form water droplets that have a diameter equal to or greater than a diameter of the channel.
2 . The inflow control device of claim 1 , wherein the channel is sized to allow oil to pass therethrough.
3 . The inflow control device of claim 1 , wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a plurality of impinging jets.
4 . The inflow control device of claim 1 , wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a flow baffle.
5 . The inflow control device of claim 4 , wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a pressure-dropping structure upstream of the flow baffle.
6 . The inflow control device of claim 1 , wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a plurality of pores.
7 . The inflow control device of claim 1 , wherein the upstream flow control structure and the downstream flow control structure are formed as a unitary structure.
8 . The inflow control device of claim 1 , wherein the downstream flow control structure has a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a direction of flow.
9 . A wellbore system comprising:
a borehole in a subsurface formation;
a string disposed in the borehole; and
the inflow control device of claim 1 disposed within or as part of the string.
10 . An inflow control device, comprising:
an upstream flow control structure configured to induce water droplet collisions; and
a downstream flow control structure disposed downstream of the upstream flow control structure and comprising a channel formed therethrough,
wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a flow baffle,
wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a pressure-dropping structure upstream of the flow baffle, and
wherein the pressure-dropping structure comprises a nozzle.
11 . The inflow control device of claim 10 , wherein the upstream flow control structure is configured to induce water droplet collisions to form water droplets that have a diameter equal to or greater than a diameter of the channel.
12 . An inflow control device, comprising:
an upstream flow control structure configured to induce water droplet collisions; and
a downstream flow control structure disposed downstream of the upstream flow control structure and comprising a channel formed therethrough,
wherein the channel has a diameter between 80 μm and 120 μm.
13 . A method of controlling flow comprising:
flowing a fluid from a source to a destination through an inflow control device comprising an upstream flow control structure and a downstream flow control structure disposed downstream of the upstream flow control structure and comprising a channel formed therethrough; and
inducing water droplet collisions in the upstream flow control structure,
wherein the inducing water droplet collisions in the upstream flow control structure forms water droplets having a diameter equal to or greater than a diameter of the channel.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid comprises a mixture of oil and water.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
flowing the fluid into the upstream flow control structure at a Reynolds number that is lower than a threshold at which water droplets within the upstream flow control structure undergo shearing.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a plurality of impinging jets.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the upstream flow control structure comprises a flow baffle.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the upstream flow control structure and the downstream flow control structure are formed as a unitary structure.