Bearing assembly cooling methods

Abstract

The disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for cooling a RCD at a wellbore including a bearing assembly configured for operating in the RCD. A fixed latch with a heat exchanger system and a volume of a cooling medium is configured for reducing heat proximate the bearing assembly, an inner member, and one or more seals between the bearing assembly and the inner member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for reducing heat in a pressure control device in a wellbore, comprising:
 a fixed latch in the pressure control device, wherein an interior surface of the fixed latch defines one or more fluid passages;   a heat exchanger system in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and   a volume of cooling medium housed within the fixed latch and the heat exchanger system, wherein the volume of cooling medium is configured for removing and absorbing heat from the pressure control device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger system further comprises
 a heat exchanger in the heat exchanger system, wherein the heat exchanger is configured for cooling the volume of cooling medium; and   one or more conduits in the heat exchanger system, wherein the one or more conduits is configured for housing the volume of cooling medium.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising
 an inlet port connected to the fluid passage; and   an outlet port connected to the fluid passage.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising
 a condenser in the heat exchanger system, wherein the condenser is configured to condense the volume of cooling medium.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the heat exchanger system further comprises
 a pump configured to circulate the volume of cooling medium through the fluid passage and the conduit.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising
 a bearing assembly housed within the fixed latch; and 
 an inner member housed within the bearing assembly, wherein the inner member is configured to rotate relative to the bearing assembly, and further wherein the inner member includes an insulating coating on an inner surface of the inner member. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the insulating coating is an insulating ceramic coating. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising
 a carrier mounted to the pressure control device, wherein the fluid passages extend to a surface of the carrier; and further wherein the surface of the carrier has an insulating coating.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more seals situated between the inner member and the bearing assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passages and the heat exchanger system are a closed hydraulic system. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for reducing heat in a bearing assembly and a RCD at a wellbore, comprising:
 a piece of oilfield equipment;   an inner member housed within the bearing assembly, wherein the inner member is configured to rotate relative to the bearing assembly;   one or more seals situated between the inner member and the bearing assembly;   a fixed latch configured to secure the bearing assembly radially within the RCD;   wherein the fixed latch defines a heat exchanger profile located within the fixed latch configured to allow a quantity of cooling medium to circulate through the fixed latch thereby cooling the bearing assembly, the inner member, and the seals during operation; and   wherein the RCD is configured to engage the piece of oilfield equipment as the piece of oilfield equipment passes through the RCD, and further wherein the RCD is configured to rotate with the piece of oilfield equipment.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an insulating coating on an inner surface of the inner member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a seal element mounted to the RCD;   a pressure control device mounted to the RCD;   wherein the piece of oilfield equipment is proximate the RCD, and wherein the seal element is configured to engage the piece of oilfield equipment as the piece of oilfield equipment passes through the pressure control device configured to seal against the piece of oilfield equipment;   a carrier mounted to the bearing assembly, wherein the carrier is configured to secure the seal element within the pressure control device; and   wherein the carrier defines a heat exchanger profile located within the carrier, and wherein the heat exchanger profile is configured to allow a quantity of cooling medium to circulate through the pressure control device thereby cooling the seal element during operation.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the carrier has an exterior carrier surface; and
 further comprising a layer of insulating coating on the exterior carrier surface. 
 
     
     
         15 . A method for reducing heat proximate a bearing assembly of a RCD at a wellbore, comprising the steps of:
 rotating an inner member housed within the bearing assembly;   circulating a quantity of cooling medium through a heat exchanger system at the RCD; and   delivering the quantity of cooling medium through a heat exchanger profile connected to the heat exchanger system, wherein the heat exchanger profile is defined on an interior surface of a fixed latch for exchanging heat generated by the inner member rotating within the bearing assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 removing the quantity of cooling medium from the heat exchanger profile; and   repeating the steps of circulating, delivering and removing.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of insulating the inner member with a ceramic coating on an inner surface of the inner member. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the heat exchanger profile is further connected to a carrier supporting a seal element, and further comprising the steps of
 insulating the carrier with a layer of ceramic coating on a surface of the carrier;   reducing heat in the carrier; and   reducing heat of a volume of fluid applying pressure to the seal element.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of condensing the quantity of cooling medium. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising the step of reducing a temperature experienced by a seal located between the inner member and the fixed latch.