Abstract: A system and method are described which are useful for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid within a drilling system comprising a drilling assembly. The drilling assembly is connected between a drilling platform and a wellhead and is useful for more safely drilling a wellbore necessary for hydrocarbon exploration and production by signaling the occurrence of a kick. The drilling assembly comprises a reader module for reading data information of at least one RF tag dispersed in a returned drilling fluid. The data information of the RF tag is transmitted to a controller via a communication link to calculate related parameters of the returned drilling fluid. A method for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid, and an allied blowout preventer for a drilling system are also provided.

Abstract: Transducer assembly for an offshore drilling riser, in an example, includes a spool for connecting into the riser and a protrusion extending around the side wall of the spool. A recess extends around the protrusion between upper and lower sloping surfaces. Upper transducer bores are spaced around the protrusion and extend from the upper sloping surface downward and inward into the spool bore and lower transducer bores extend from the lower sloping surface upward and inward into the spool bore. A base of a rigid non-metallic material is located in each of the transducer bores. A seal ring extends around a cylindrical exterior portion of each of the bases and one of the transducer bores. An acoustic transducer element is mounted to the outer end of each of the bases. The transducer assembly can detect drilling fluid and form sealing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter system includes a conduit defining a channel, at least one pair of first transducers, at least one second transducer, and a processor. The pair of first transducers is mounted on the conduit and includes a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer for generating a first responsive signal. The transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer are arranged on a chordal path. The second transducer is mounted on the conduit for generating a second responsive signal. The processor is configured to receive the first responsive signal and the second responsive signal, select one responsive signal according to a relationship of the first responsive signal and noise thereof and a relationship of the second responsive signal and noise thereof, and determine a flow rate of a flow medium according to the selected responsive signal. A method for measuring the flow rate of the fluid medium is also provided.

Abstract: A measurement method comprising: transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic signals to the fluid to be measured; receiving an return signal reflected or scattered from the particles in the fluid under test; calculating a one or more calculated values of the R parameter associated with the particle properties based on the return signal; determining the theoretical curve of the R parameter associated with the particle properties; and determining the mean diameter of the particles in the fluid based on the one or more calculated values of the R parameter and the theoretical curve of the R parameter; determining the mass concentration of the particles in the fluid according to the mean diameter of the particles. Embodiments also provide a measurement system for measuring the mean diameter and mass concentration of the particles.

Abstract: A sensing sub-assembly for use with a drilling assembly that includes a cylindrical body including an internal flow channel extending therethrough. The internal flow channel is configured to channel a first fluid therethrough. A recessed cavity is also defined therein. The recessed cavity is coupled in flow communication with an ambient environment exterior of the cylindrical body, and a second fluid flows within the ambient environment. The recessed cavity is configured to receive a continuous stream of the second fluid therethrough. At least one sensor is coupled to the cylindrical body, and the at least one sensor is configured to determine characteristics of the second fluid in the continuous stream that flows through the recessed cavity.

Abstract: Transducer assembly for an offshore drilling riser, in an example, includes a spool for connecting into the riser and a protrusion extending around the side wall of the spool. A recess extends around the protrusion between upper and lower sloping surfaces. Upper transducer bores are spaced around the protrusion and extend from the upper sloping surface downward and inward into the spool bore and lower transducer bores extend from the lower sloping surface upward and inward into the spool bore. A base of a rigid non-metallic material is located in each of the transducer bores. A seal ring extends around a cylindrical exterior portion of each of the bases and one of the transducer bores. An acoustic transducer element is mounted to the outer end of each of the bases. The transducer assembly can detect drilling fluid and form sealing.

Abstract: A riser joint system, comprising: a riser joint assembly defining a channel and comprising a first ultrasound module for transmitting a first ultrasound signal to obtain first ultrasound data and a second ultrasound module for transmitting a second ultrasound signal to obtain second ultrasound data, wherein a beam direction of the first ultrasound signal is perpendicular to an axial line of the channel and a beam direction of the second ultrasound signal is oblique to the axial line of the channel; and a processing module for receiving the first ultrasound data and the second ultrasound data and obtaining first information and second information. A well drilling system and a method for the well drilling system are also described.

Abstract: A kick detection system for drilling a well including an ultrasonic module for transmitting signals to a returning drilling fluid from the well, and receiving corresponding backscatter signals; and a process apparatus for obtaining a flow characteristic of the returning drilling fluid based on the backscatter signals, and detecting a kick based on the flow characteristic of the returning drilling fluid and drilling related data. A well drilling system including a drilling string for guiding a drilling bit and a drilling fluid to a well; a conduit defining a channel for accommodating the drilling string and a returning drilling fluid from the well; and the kick detection system. A kick detection method is also described.

Abstract: A measurement method comprising: transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic signals to the fluid to be measured; receiving an return signal reflected or scattered from the particles in the fluid under test; calculating a one or more calculated values of the R parameter associated with the particle properties based on the return signal; determining the theoretical curve of the R parameter associated with the particle properties; and determining the mean diameter of the particles in the fluid based on the one or more calculated values of the R parameter and the theoretical curve of the R parameter; determining the mass concentration of the particles in the fluid according to the mean diameter of the particles. Embodiments also provide a measurement system for measuring the mean diameter and mass concentration of the particles.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter system includes a conduit defining a channel, at least one pair of first transducers, at least one second transducer, and a processor. The pair of first transducers is mounted on the conduit and includes a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer for generating a first responsive signal. The transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer are arranged on a chordal path. The second transducer is mounted on the conduit for generating a second responsive signal. The processor is configured to receive the first responsive signal and the second responsive signal, select one responsive signal according to a relationship of the first responsive signal and noise thereof and a relationship of the second responsive signal and noise thereof, and determine a flow rate of a flow medium according to the selected responsive signal. A method for measuring the flow rate of the fluid medium is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are described which are useful for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid within a drilling system comprising a drilling assembly. The drilling assembly is connected between a drilling platform and a wellhead and is useful for more safely drilling a wellbore necessary for hydrocarbon exploration and production by signaling the occurrence of a kick. The drilling assembly comprises a reader module for reading data information of at least one RF tag dispersed in a returned drilling fluid. The data information of the RF tag is transmitted to a controller via a communication link to calculate related parameters of the returned drilling fluid. A method for monitoring parameters of drilling fluid, and an allied blowout preventer for a drilling system are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a fluid conduit configured to couple with one or more pipes and an ultrasonic transducer mounted on the conduit. The conduit includes a main body defining a flow channel and a thermal barrier coupled to the main body. The thermal barrier includes an organic polymeric material and is configured to thermally isolate the ultrasonic transducer from the flow channel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal transmitting and receiving circuit assembly includes first and second transmitter circuits, first and second receiver circuits, and first and second poles each for coupling with an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic signal transmitting and receiving circuit assembly further includes a switching circuit having a first switch for selectively connecting the first transmitter and receiver circuits to the first or second pole, and a second switch for selectively connecting the second transmitter and receiver circuits to the first or second pole.

Abstract: An iteration method for computing a distribution of one or more properties within an object comprises defining a first mesh of the object, applying an excitation to the object, computing a response of the object to the applied excitation, obtaining a reference response of the object corresponding to the applied excitation, computing a distribution of one or more properties of the object, and updating at least a subset of the nodes of the first mesh to form an updated mesh of the object. The distribution of one or more properties of the object is computed using the computed response, the reference response, and the first mesh. The first mesh includes a plurality of nodes and elements. A connectivity relationship of the subset of the nodes in the updated mesh remains the same as in the first mesh.

Abstract: An electrochemical desalination system includes a first and a second electrochemical device and a controller. The first and second electrochemical devices each comprises a electrochemical desalination module comprising at least one pair of electrodes and a compartment between each pair of electrodes for receiving an electrolyte solution. Each of the first and second electrochemical desalination devices comprises a plurality of successive operation cycles. Each cycle comprises a charging mode of operation for charging each pair of electrodes and for adsorbing ions in the electrolyte solution on the electrodes, and a discharging mode of operation for discharging the pair of electrodes and for desorbing ions from the pair of electrodes. The controller is configured to control the system that the first and second electrochemical desalination devices have interleaved charging and discharging modes of operation.

Abstract: An iteration method for computing a distribution of one or more properties within an object comprises defining a first mesh of the object, applying an excitation to the object, computing a response of the object to the applied excitation, obtaining a reference response of the object corresponding to the applied excitation, computing a distribution of one or more properties of the object, and updating at least a subset of the nodes of the first mesh to form an updated mesh of the object. The distribution of one or more properties of the object is computed using the computed response, the reference response, and the first mesh. The first mesh includes a plurality of nodes and elements. A connectivity relationship of the subset of the nodes in the updated mesh remains the same as in the first mesh.

Abstract: An electrochemical desalination system includes a first and a second electrochemical device and a controller. The first and second electrochemical devices each comprises a electrochemical desalination module comprising at least one pair of electrodes and a compartment between each pair of electrodes for receiving an electrolyte solution. Each of the first and second electrochemical desalination devices comprises a plurality of successive operation cycles. Each cycle comprises a charging mode of operation for charging each pair of electrodes and for adsorbing ions in the electrolyte solution on the electrodes, and a discharging mode of operation for discharging the pair of electrodes and for desorbing ions from the pair of electrodes. The controller is configured to control the system that the first and second electrochemical desalination devices have interleaved charging and discharging modes of operation.