# US 10,119,362 B2 · Flow control device for controlling flow based on fluid phase

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- Number: US 10,119,362 B2
- Document ID: US10119362B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/378,986
- Filed: 2013-08-16
- Published: 2015-02-26
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-08-16
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael L. Fripp; John C. Gano; Zachary R. Murphree
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119362B2

## CPC

- E21B 34/06: in wells
- E21B 43/24: using heat, e.g. steam injection
- Y10T 137/0324: With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
- Y10T 137/7737: Thermal responsive
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which influences a pressure in the chamber. A method of controlling flow of steam in a well can include providing a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow in the well, the flow control device including a chamber having a variable volume, water disposed in the chamber, and a biasing device. The biasing device influences the chamber volume. Another flow control device can include water in a chamber, the chamber having a variable volume, a flow restricting member which displaces in response to a change in the chamber volume, and a biasing device which reduces a boiling point of the water in the chamber.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of controlling flow of steam in a well, the method comprising:
providing a flow control device which varies a resistance to flow in the well, the flow control device including a chamber having a variable volume, water disposed in the chamber, and a biasing device disposed within the chamber, wherein the biasing device biases a wall of the chamber outward and reduces a pressure of the chamber,
wherein the biasing device exerts a biasing force which decreases the chamber volume.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the flow control device increases the restriction to flow as the steam approaches the flow control device in the well.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the flow control device decreases the restriction to flow as the steam approaches the flow control device in the well.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biasing device reduces a boiling point of the water in the chamber.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein only a single fluid is disposed in the chamber, the water being the single fluid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biasing device exerts a biasing force which increases the chamber volume.