Fluid flow control

摘要

Fluid flow influencer devices capable of affecting fluid flow for fluid selection are described. Fluid flow influencer devices may affect fluid flowing into a turbulence, such as a vortex, having a structure that is usable to restrict fluid flow in a flow path of a chamber by different amounts based on at least one property of the fluid. The fluid flow control device may be in an autonomous fluid selector, such as a diverter, a vortex-causing device, or a whisker. Fluid properties based on which the flow influencer device can select fluid can include fluid density, fluid velocity, fluid viscosity, and Reynolds number of the fluid flow.

主权项

1. A flow control device configured for being disposed between a subterranean formation and a tubular in a wellbore, the flow control device comprising:
a chamber having (i) an exit opening and (ii) a flow path; and a flow influencer device in the chamber, the flow influencer device being configured to affect fluid flowing into a turbulence having a structure that is based on at least one property of the fluid and the flow influencer device, wherein the chamber is configured for restricting fluid flow in the flow path by different amounts based on the structure of the turbulence, wherein the chamber comprises:
an inlet at a first end of the chamber; anda second exit opening located between the exit opening and a second end of the chamber, wherein the flow influencer device is a diverter positioned between the inlet and the exit opening and configured to influence flow of fluid based on the at least one property (i) toward the exit opening and (ii) toward the second exit opening, by causing the fluid to flow into the turbulence that is a vortex and creating an area of low pressure between the diverter and the second end of the chamber.