Wenlin W Zhang

US Patent:

6686079, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

May 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/854947

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Missouri City TX
Donald E. Hensley - Sugar Land TX
Kenneth L. Havlinek - Houston TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 25, 429 30, 429 34, 429 38

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention is a fuel cell suitable for use downhole in an oil and gas well includes a fuel vessel that providing a source of fuel and an oxidant vessel providing a source of oxidant. A reaction zone comprises at least one cathode, at least one anode, and an electrolyte between each anode and cathode. A closed water vessel is connected to the reaction zone by at least one capillary flow path. The fuel cell also comprises a fuel conduit that connects the fuel vessel and the reaction zone. This fuel conduit comprises a fuel pressure control apparatus adapted to maintain a static pressure of fuel in the reaction zone. The fuel cell further comprises an oxidant conduit that connects the oxidant vessel and the reaction zone, and includes an oxidant pressure control apparatus adapted to maintain a static pressure of oxidant in the reaction zone. In addition, the fuel cell comprises electrical conductors connected to the anode and cathode and adapted to conduct electricity to an external device. In this fuel cell, there is no need for fuel, oxidant, or water to flow in a closed loop through the reaction zone.

US Patent:

7069998, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Jun 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/455135

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Missouri City TX, US
Kenneth L. Havlinek - Houston TX, US
Vance E. Nixon - Pearland TX, US

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 29/12
E21B 29/02

US Classification:

166338, 166 651, 166302

Abstract:

This invention relates to fuel cells, and in one embodiment, to fuel cells that are especially well suited for downhole use in oil and gas wells, and for subsea use in connection with offshore wells.

US Patent:

7096955, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/326371

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Missouri City TX, US
Joe Walter - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 29/12
E21B 29/02
E21B 36/00

US Classification:

166338, 166368, 166 551, 166302

Abstract:

A subsea fuel cell and system adapted for long duration use. The subsea fuel cell comprises a fuel cell stack and a water discharge system. In alternate embodiments, the subsea fuel cell can further comprise an impurity discharge system.

US Patent:

20020011335, Jan 31, 2002

Filed:

May 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/858228

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Missouri City TX, US
Kenneth Havlinek - Houston TX, US
Vance Nixon - Pearland TX, US

International Classification:

C25C007/00
E21B036/00

US Classification:

166/335000, 166/065100, 166/057000, 166/302000, 204/248000

Abstract:

This invention relates to fuel cells, and in one embodiment, to fuel cells that are especially well suited for downhole use in oil and gas wells, and for subsea use in connection with offshore wells.

US Patent:

20040081865, Apr 29, 2004

Filed:

Oct 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/684951

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Missouri City TX, US
Donald Hensley - Sugar Land TX, US
Kenneth Havlinek - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

H01M008/00
H01M008/06
E21B004/04

US Classification:

429/013000, 429/017000, 429/030000, 175/104000

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention is a fuel cell suitable for use downhole in an oil and gas well includes a fuel vessel that providing a source of fuel and an oxidant vessel providing a source of oxidant. A reaction zone comprises at least one cathode, at least one anode, and an electrolyte between each anode and cathode. A closed water vessel is connected to the reaction zone by at least one capillary flow path. The fuel cell also comprises a fuel conduit that connects the fuel vessel and the reaction zone. This fuel conduit comprises a fuel pressure control apparatus adapted to maintain a static pressure of fuel in the reaction zone. The fuel cell further comprises an oxidant conduit that connects the oxidant vessel and the reaction zone, and includes an oxidant pressure control apparatus adapted to maintain a static pressure of oxidant in the reaction zone. In addition, the fuel cell comprises electrical conductors connected to the anode and cathode and adapted to conduct electricity to an external device. In this fuel cell, there is no need for fuel, oxidant, or water to flow in a closed loop through the reaction zone.

US Patent:

20060163075, Jul 27, 2006

Filed:

May 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/518883

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Missouri City TX, US
Joe Walter - Sugar Land TX, US

International Classification:

C25D 5/34
C25D 7/04

US Classification:

205081000, 205131000, 205205000

Abstract:

A downhole pipe or casing repair method and apparatus includes a corrosion monitoring tool adapted for examining an interior of a pipe or tubing or casing to create a record of the condition of said interior of said pipe, a surface treatment apparatus for cleaning said interior of said pipe, a plating apparatus for plating a new surface over the interior of said pipe after the surface treatment apparatus cleans the interior of said pipe, a packer sealing apparatus for sealing the surface treatment apparatus from the corrosion monitoring tool, and another packer sealing apparatus for sealing the plating apparatus from the surface treatment apparatus. The corrosion monitoring tool will examine the interior of the pipe, the surface treatment apparatus will clean the interior of the pipe, the plating apparatus will plate a new surface over the newly cleaned interior of the pipe, and the corrosion monitoring tool will re-examine the interior of the pipe after the plating step is completed. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of aiding a patent searcher; it is provided with the understanding that this abstract shall not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

US Patent:

20060257697, Nov 16, 2006

Filed:

May 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/126524

Inventors:

Wenlin Zhang - Ridgefield CT, US
Joseph Walter - Sugar Land TX, US
Albert Perez - Danbury CT, US

Assignee:

SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION - Ridgefield CT

International Classification:

H01M 8/18
H01M 8/10
H01M 4/96
H01M 8/24
H01M 8/04
E21B 4/00

US Classification:

429021000, 429038000, 429030000, 429044000, 429025000, 175104000

Abstract:

A rechargeable power system comprising: a drill string configured to operate in a well bore, the drill string comprising: a fuel cell system; a generator in electrical communication with the fuel cell system; a turbine, configured to rotate due to an impingement of drilling mud on one or more turbine blades, the turbine in operable communication with the generator; and where the fuel cell system is configured to provide power at least when drilling mud is not circulating in the well bore, and further configured to be recharged by the generator when drilling mud is circulating in the well bore. A method for operating a rechargeable downhole fuel cell. The method comprises: monitoring a fluid supply pressure; determining whether the fluid supply pressure is below a threshold value; and stopping a fuel cell discharge if the fluid supply pressure is below the threshold value.

US Patent:

20150047990, Feb 19, 2015

Filed:

Aug 13, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/966093

Inventors:

- Sugar Land TX, US
WENLIN ZHANG - HOUSTON TX, US
LI JIANG - KATY TX, US
ROY KOVELESKI - DANBURY CT, US
QUINCY K. ELIAS - MATTAPAN MA, US

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

G01N 27/403

US Classification:

2057855, 204406, 204409

Abstract:

Described herein is an apparatus and methods for characterizing a fluid composition including exposing electrolyte to one fluid mixture, collecting a signal from an electrode in contact with the electrolyte, and simultaneously exposing the electrolyte to a second fluid, collecting a signal from a second electrode in contact with the electrolyte exposed to the second fluid, and comparing the signal difference between the electrodes with the Nerst equation wherein the temperature of the electrolyte is above 488 C. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or oxygen may be present in the fluid and/or the second fluid.