RF-Powered Wireless Pressure Micro-Sensor for Fracking Operation Monitoring

多层压裂技术在现代油井中很常见，并已成为一种标准。砂子、水和化学物质在非常高的压力下被泵入多个区块的地层中，每个区块都有用于压力隔离的阀门。压力、温度、振动、流体成分和流体流量是水力压裂过程中每个区域需要收集的有价值的信息，因为这些信息可用于调整过程以获得最佳结果。理想的解决方案是在水力压裂后的每个区域安装传感器来监控油井。在多区域水力压裂中，布线是不可行的，因为它们增加了已经很复杂的油井的复杂性，而且布线40个分离的传感器与电力、地面和通信将不方便。该研究项目的目标是与阶段先进传感器系统公司合作，开发一种无线压力传感器，用于在水力压裂作业期间和之后监测油井参数。目标是建立一种极低功率的无线设备，能够感知压力并将数据传输到外部读取器，同时仅通过收集可用的射频能量来供电。拟议的项目可以定位加拿大公司在恶劣环境下的创新仪器技术的成功，并在许多行业中应用。在整个项目中，将在仪器设备、集成射频电路和能量收集系统的设计方面开发新的技术和专业知识。

Multi zone fracking is common and becoming the norm in modern oil wells. Sand water and chemicals arepumped at very high pressure into the formation in multiple zones with each zone having valves for pressureisolation. Pressure, temperature, vibration, fluid composition and fluid flow are valuable pieces of informationto collect for each zone in the fracking process as this information can be used to adjust the process for optimalresults. The ideal solution is to put sensors at each zone to monitor the well after fracking. Wires are notfeasible in multiple zone fracks as they add complication in already complicated wells and wiring 40 separatesensors with power, ground and communications would be unwieldy.The objective of this research project is to develop a wireless pressure sensor for monitoring oil wellparameters during and after fracking operations in collaboration with Phase Advanced Sensor Systems Corp.The goal is to build an extremely low-power wireless device, capable of sensing pressure and transmitting datato an external reader, while only powered by harvesting available radio frequency energy.The proposed project can position Canadian companies to succeed with innovative instrumentation technologyfor harsh environments with applications in many industries. Throughout this project, new know-how andexpertise will be developed in the design of instrumentation devices, integrated radio frequency circuits, andenergy harvesting systems.