Abstract: A work string and method of absorbing a vibration at the work string. The work string includes an outer member, an inertial mass disposed within the outer member and a damping element between the outer member and the inertial mass. The damping element includes a liquid having a viscosity that increases with increasing temperature. The damping element absorbs the vibration being transferred from the outer member to the inertial mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more properties of a downhole fluid includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a location-sensitive optical detector, arranged within a chamber formed by the housing. The apparatus further includes a light source, arranged within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a lens, positioned at an end of the housing, the lens preferably having a flat side and a curved side, the flat side positioned proximate the chamber to position the flat side closer to the light source than the curved side. The apparatus further includes a mirror, arranged outside the housing.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis system includes an optical sensor comprising, which includes a light source configured to emit light comprising a plurality of wavelengths, a light detector, and an optical tip through which at least a portion of the light travels and returns to the detector, wherein the incident angle of the light causes total internal reflection within the optical tip. The system further includes a piezoelectric helm resonator that generates a resonance response in response to an applied current, and an electromagnetic spectroscopy sensor positioned symmetrically with respect to the piezoelectric helm resonator in at least one direction. The light may be reflected in the optical tip at one or more reflection points, and each reflection point may generate an evanescent wave in a medium surrounding the optical tip. The light may be internally reflected in the optical tip at a plurality of reflection points.

Abstract: Vibration in a drill string is damped with a damping system coupled to the drill string. The damping system includes a chamber, a gas and piston in the chamber, and a mass connected to the piston. The gas defines a spring having a spring coefficient that is dependent on a volume or temperature of the chamber. The damping system is tunable in real-time by varying the volume or temperature of the chamber. In alternatives with multiple chambers interconnected to one another via ports, chamber volume at the existing pressure can be varied by selective actuation of valves between the chambers or the pressure of the gas can be varied by compressing or expanding a connected bellows or by heating or cooling the temperature of the gas. The damping system can selectively damp both radial and torsional vibrations.

Abstract: Downhole tools for measuring properties of a fluid include a sample chamber configured to receive the fluid, a field responsive material (“FRM”) arranged with an interface between the field responsive material and the fluid under test in the sample chamber. The field responsive material is tunable to change an acoustic impedance of the field responsive material in response to application of an applied field. A field generator is arranged in relation to the field responsive material, the field generator configured to generate and apply a field to the field responsive material. An acoustic transducer is arranged to direct acoustic energy into and through the field responsive material toward the interface between the field responsive material and the fluid and configured to detect reflections of acoustic energy that reflect from the interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining an acoustic parameter of a downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly. Methods include transmitting a plurality of pulses; measuring values for at least one wave property measured for reflections of the plurality of pulses received at at least one acoustic receiver, including: a first value for a first reflection traveling a first known distance from a first acoustically reflective surface having a first known acoustic impedance, a second value for a second reflection traveling a second known distance substantially the same as the first known distance from a second acoustically reflective surface having a second known acoustic impedance, and a third value for a third reflection traveling a third known distance from a third acoustically reflective surface having a third known acoustic impedance substantially the same as the second acoustic impedance; and estimating the acoustic parameter using the values.

Abstract: A methane pyrolysis reactor and a methane pyrolysis method comprising the steps of: passing a natural gas stream; through a porous and permeable plate, to form natural gas bubbles; bubbling the natural gas stream through a molten metal column supported by the porous and permeable plate, to react methane to give hydrogen and carbon dioxide; separating a hydrogen gas stream; and a carbon slag; wherein the size of the pores of the porous and permeable plate is such that the capillary pressure required for the molten metal to enter the pores exceeds the bottom pressure of the molten metal column.

Abstract: A system for performing a downhole optical analysis includes a housing positioned in a wellbore extending into a formation. The system also includes a carrier arranged within the housing, the carrier being coupled to a power supply. The system further includes a catalyst coating at least a portion of the carrier. The system also includes a regulated inlet providing a fluid pathway into a reaction chamber that includes at least a portion of the catalyst. The system further includes a detector arranged relative to the reaction chamber to detect a signal emitted via an interaction between the catalyst and a fluid sample introduced into the housing.

Abstract: Downhole tools for measuring properties of a fluid include a sample chamber configured to receive the fluid, a field responsive material (“FRM”) arranged with an interface between the field responsive material and the fluid under test in the sample chamber. The field responsive material is tunable to change an acoustic impedance of the field responsive material in response to application of an applied field. A field generator is arranged in relation to the field responsive material, the field generator configured to generate and apply a field to the field responsive material. An acoustic transducer is arranged to direct acoustic energy into and through the field responsive material toward the interface between the field responsive material and the fluid and configured to detect reflections of acoustic energy that reflect from the interface.

Abstract: A system for downhole optical analysis includes a housing forming at least part of a pressure barrier. The system also includes a window, formed at an end of the housing, the window being at least semi-transparent to permit light to travel through the window. The system further includes at least one light source, arranged within the housing, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit a beam of light at a wavelength to enable non-contact, optical cleaning of the window, the wavelength being selected to reduce interaction with the window while heating a fluid film formed on the window outside the housing.

Abstract: A system for downhole optical analysis includes a housing forming at least part of a pressure barrier. The system also includes a window, formed at an end of the housing, the window being at least semi-transparent to permit light to travel through the window. The system further includes at least one light source, arranged within the housing, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit a beam of light at a wavelength to enable non-contact, optical cleaning of the window, the wavelength being selected to reduce interaction with the window while heating a fluid film formed on the window outside the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more properties of a downhole fluid includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a location-sensitive optical detector, arranged within a chamber formed by the housing. The apparatus further includes a light source, arranged within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a lens, positioned at an end of the housing, the lens preferably having a flat side and a curved side, the flat side positioned proximate the chamber to position the flat side closer to the light source than the curved side. The apparatus further includes a mirror, arranged outside the housing.

Abstract: A sensor for obtaining downhole data includes a first piezoelectric layer. The sensor also includes a second piezoelectric layer having a trench extending a depth below a surface of the second piezoelectric layer. The sensor also includes an electrode positioned within the trench. The first piezoelectric layer is directly coupled to the second piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis system includes an optical sensor comprising, which includes a light source configured to emit light comprising a plurality of wavelengths, a light detector, and an optical tip through which at least a portion of the light travels and returns to the detector, wherein the incident angle of the light causes total internal reflection within the optical tip. The system further includes a piezoelectric helm resonator that generates a resonance response in response to an applied current, and an electromagnetic spectroscopy sensor positioned symmetrically with respect to the piezoelectric helm resonator in at least one direction. The light may be reflected in the optical tip at one or more reflection points, and each reflection point may generate an evanescent wave in a medium surrounding the optical tip. The light may be internally reflected in the optical tip at a plurality of reflection points.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more properties of a downhole fluid includes a housing. The apparatus also includes a location-sensitive optical detector, arranged within a chamber formed by the housing. The apparatus further includes a light source, arranged within the chamber. The apparatus also includes a lens, positioned at an end of the housing, the lens preferably having a flat side and a curved side, the flat side positioned proximate the chamber to position the flat side closer to the light source than the curved side. The apparatus further includes a mirror, arranged outside the housing.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis system includes an optical sensor comprising, which includes a light source configured to emit light comprising a plurality of wavelengths, a light detector, and an optical tip through which at least a portion of the light travels and returns to the detector, wherein the incident angle of the light causes total internal reflection within the optical tip. The system further includes a piezoelectric helm resonator that generates a resonance response in response to an applied current, and an electromagnetic spectroscopy sensor positioned symmetrically with respect to the piezoelectric helm resonator in at least one direction. The light may be reflected in the optical tip at one or more reflection points, and each reflection point may generate an evanescent wave in a medium surrounding the optical tip. The light may be internally reflected in the optical tip at a plurality of reflection points.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for performing downhole optical fluid analysis including positioning an optical analysis tool in a downhole environment. The method also includes regulating a flow of a fluid sample into a reaction chamber of the optical analysis tool. The method further includes providing a catalyst within the reaction chamber that reacts with an analyte in the fluid sample to emit light. The method includes detecting the emitted light.

Abstract: A method of forming a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include directing at least one energy beam at a surface of a volume of polycrystalline superabrasive material including interstitial material disposed in regions between inter-bonded grains of polycrystalline superabrasive material. The method includes ablating the interstitial material with the at least one energy beam such that at least a portion of the interstitial material is removed from a first region of the volume of polycrystalline superabrasive material without any substantial degradation of the inter-bonded grains of superabrasive material or of bonds thereof in the first region.

Abstract: A system for performing a downhole optical analysis includes a housing positioned in a wellbore extending into a formation. The system also includes a carrier arranged within the housing, the carrier being coupled to a power supply. The system further includes a catalyst coating at least a portion of the carrier. The system also includes a regulated inlet providing a fluid pathway into a reaction chamber that includes at least a portion of the catalyst. The system further includes a detector arranged relative to the reaction chamber to detect a signal emitted via an interaction between the catalyst and a fluid sample introduced into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing components of a fluid having a first fluid component and a second fluid component in a fluid property-dependent fluid device includes an energy device configured to input energy to the fluid, the energy selectively changing a property of one of the first and second components more than the other of the first and second components.