Borehole tool heat transfer altering system and method, and method of heating borehole fluid

Abstract

A borehole tool heat transfer altering system includes, a borehole tool, and a thermoelectric material in operable communication with the borehole tool configured to alter heat transfer between the borehole tool and an environment surrounding the borehole tool.

1 . A borehole tool heat transfer altering system comprising:
 a borehole tool; and   a thermoelectric material in operable communication with the borehole tool configured to alter heat transfer between the borehole tool and an environment surrounding the borehole tool.   
     
     
         2 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 1 , wherein the alteration of heat transfer causes a cooling of the borehole tool. 
     
     
         3 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the borehole tool is tubular and the thermoelectric material is contoured to conform to the at least one portion. 
     
     
         4 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two conductors in operable communication with the thermoelectric material. 
     
     
         5 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 1 , wherein the borehole tool is a motor. 
     
     
         6 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoelectric material is disposed at a radiator that alters heat transfer between the borehole tool and an environment. 
     
     
         7 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 6 , wherein fluid flows through the radiator before entering a pump. 
     
     
         8 . The borehole tool heat transfer altering system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid includes oil. 
     
     
         9 . A method of altering heat transfer to a borehole tool, comprising:
 electrically energizing thermoelectric material in operable communication with a borehole tool and an environment; and   altering heat transfer between the borehole tool and the environment.   
     
     
         10 . The method of altering heat transfer to a borehole tool of  claim 9 , wherein the altering heat transfer between the borehole tool and the environment is a cooling of the borehole tool and a heating of the environment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of altering heat transfer to a borehole tool of  claim 9 , further comprising positioning the thermoelectric material so that it surrounds the borehole tool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of altering heat transfer to a borehole tool of  claim 9 , further comprising circulating fluid between a radiator in operable communication with the thermoelectric material and the borehole tool. 
     
     
         13 . A method of heating borehole fluids, comprising:
 electrically energizing a thermoelectric material; and   increasing transfer of heat from a borehole tool to borehole fluids through the thermoelectric material.   
     
     
         14 . The method of heating borehole fluids of  claim 13 , further comprising generating heat in the borehole tool electrically. 
     
     
         15 . The method of heating borehole fluids of  claim 13 , further comprising generating heat in the borehole tool frictionally. 
     
     
         16 . A method of increasing efficiency of a borehole pumping operation, comprising:
 increasing heat transfer between a borehole tool and fluid within a wellbore;   decreasing viscosity of the fluid; and   pumping the fluid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of increasing efficiency of a borehole pumping operation of  claim 16 , further comprising heating the fluid.