It is believed that underground electronics major constraint is temperature. Most of underground electronic components are rated for operating temperature of 300 ~ 345oF. To this end, the U.S. Department of Energy and oil industry joint venture to develop the ability to work with high-temperature electronic components. Currently, silicon-insulator components can withstand high temperatures 392oF. High temperature capacitor technologies seems to have made great progress. The question now is how to obtain reliable and can be purchased in the market for the next generation of underground power supply to provide power source for underground electronic components? Although the most “fashionable” BHA, if there is no sufficient and reliable power-driven, the drill contractor is no help. Underground battery manufacturers are also looking to solve heat problems. Now available on the market lithium batteries are rated for operating temperature reaches 392oF, but they will be subject to a minimum rated operating temperature limits, high-temperature lithium batteries may not be able to work at low temperatures. For example, the rated operating temperature of 392oF lithium batteries, when its operating temperature at 212oF, its battery capacity is only half the temperature at 392oF, life would be halved.
Frequent replacement of the battery will remain sealed and which can not cause problems, because the electronic tools in order to maintain the seal under pressure is not always demolition. Therefore, using the same battery, when converted by drilling at room temperature at 392oF or higher temperatures will be a significant reduction in drilling efficiency and life of the battery, thereby increasing the per ampere – hour costs.
U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories and General Atomic Energy Research Institute undertook the task of developing high-temperature battery. Jin has produced the most rated battery sample temperatures as high as 482oF. In addition, developed a limited-current loads can be 77oF temperatures of the battery, but development costs and problems, without considering the market.
Mud motor-driven turbine generator is a kind of alternative power. Underground generator is not as narrow cell window as affected by temperature and power density, and many other conditions. Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory under the auspices of, Dexter Magnegic technology company developed a temperature of 482oF in operating under downhole turbine generator. Dexter Magnegic Technologies, Inc. has rated temperature of 300oF and will be put into operation the turbine generator named UnderCurrent. UnderCurrent downhole tools for three-phase alternating current, rated operating temperature of 437oF, generator module installed in 43/4in drill collar, the at 437oF temperature can be power 200W. Driver UnderCurrent water consumed in the water horsepower horsepower are less than 5% of the drilling fluid, but higher manufacturing costs of generators.
