GOALI/Collaborative Research: Self-powered Dual-mode Piezoelectric Resonant Pressure/Temperature Sensors for Oil and Gas Field Explorations

GOALI合作研究项目的目标是研究一种新型的自供电双模压电式谐振式压力/温度传感器，该传感器可以在恶劣的井下环境中工作，而不需要外部电力，以此来解决油气田勘探的高温、高压、大冲击环境对井下传感和电源构成的关键挑战。对新型高温压电材料的材料特性进行了表征，并对双模传感的特定切角进行了理论分析。为了利用井下钻进产生的电能，将设计一种新型的扭振能量采集器和温差发电装置，具有抑制钻柱自激扭振的双重功能。完整的自供电传感系统将通过实验室和现场测试进行验证。如果成功，这些结果将创造关于高温高压传感和能量收集的新知识。材料性能数据和理论建模不仅可以实现在恶劣环境下工作的压电谐振式传感器的可预测设计，而且将为将来的压电式谐振器的设计奠定坚实的基础。所提出的多源热电和电磁能量采集机制不仅利用井下固有的热量和钻柱振动产生有用的能量，而且创造了在恶劣环境下进行能量采集的新知识，具有更广泛的应用前景。这种自供电传感系统将引领钻探更深、产量更高的油气井，以满足国家迫切的能源需求。与这项研究相结合的是在两所参与的大学中精心策划的教育和推广计划，特别是针对少数民族、女性、本科生和K12学生的计划。

The objective of this Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) Collaborative Research project is to investigate a novel self-powered dual-mode piezoelectric resonant pressure/temperature sensor that can operate in the harsh downhole environments without requiring external electricity as a step to resolve the critical challenges for downhole sensing and power supply posed by high temperature, high pressure, large shock environment of oil/gas field explorations. The material properties of the new high temperature piezoelectric material will be characterized, and theoretical analysis will be performed to predict the specific cut angle for dual-mode sensing. A novel torsional vibration energy harvester and thermoelectric generator will be designed to harness electricity from downhole drilling with dual function of suppressing the self-excited torsional vibration of the drill string. The complete self-powered sensing system will be validated through laboratory and in-field test. If successful, the results will create new knowledge on high temperature and high pressure sensing and energy harvesting. The data of material properties and theoretical modeling will not only enable predictable design of the piezoelectric resonant sensor operating in harsh environments but also will lay a solid foundation for future piezoelectric resonator design. The proposed multi-source thermoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvesting mechanism not only generates useful energy from the intrinsic downhole heat and drillstring vibrations, but also creates new knowledge of energy harvesting in harsh environments with broader applications. The self-powered sensing system will lead the way to drilling deeper and more productive oil & gas wells to meet the urgent national energy need. Integrated with the research is a carefully orchestrated educational and outreach plan at the both participating universities, particularly for minorities, women, undergraduate, and K12 students.