
The Best Material For Downhole Capillary Tube: Duplex 2205 vs. Stainless Steel 316L
We put Duplex 2205 and Stainless Steel 316L head-to-head to see which is best for
285°C Type K Thermocouples.
Type K Thermocouples are the most robust and reliable solution for temperature measurement in high-temperature reservoirs.
A Breakthrough In Reliability
In 2010, we developed an exclusive manufacturing process that has greatly increased the reliability of thermocouples. We did this by eliminating many of the weak points of a traditional thermocouple system. Our thermocouples offer superior performance for use in downhole steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), enhanced oil recovery (EOR), geothermal, and other high-temperature applications.
Utilizing the same innovative technology as our 4m TEC Cable, our thermocouple instrumentation lines offer superior performance. Our tensile operating strength is double that of MICA cable. And our crush resistance is more than 250% better than traditional MICA lines.
By using a special form of perflouorokoxy (PFA) as insulation in place of MICA, we see several benefits. It provides a safe operating temperature of nearly 300°C/572°F. And the absence of MICA means that there is no longer the same threat of moisture wicking or corrosion that makes deployment and servicing so costly.
Our thermocouple cables are made in continuous splice free lengths of up to 4,000m. This is in contrast to MICA cables which can usually only be made to a maximum of 250m before requiring a splice. With a traditional MICA cable these splices can result in damage which will cause it to provide false readings, or early failure. By minimizing splices with our PFA cable we are able to increase reliability and makes deployment and servicing much quicker, and more cost-effective.
A Breakthrough In Reliability
In 2010, we developed an exclusive manufacturing process that has greatly increased the reliability of thermocouples. We did this by eliminating many of the weak points of a traditional thermocouple system. Our thermocouples offer superior performance for use in downhole steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), enhanced oil recovery (EOR), geothermal, and other high-temperature applications.
Utilizing the same innovative technology as our 4m TEC Cable, our thermocouple instrumentation lines offer superior performance. Our tensile operating strength is double that of MICA cable. And our crush resistance is more than 250% better than traditional MICA lines.
By using a special form of perflouorokoxy (PFA) as insulation in place of MICA, we see several benefits. It provides a safe operating temperature of nearly 300°C/572°F. And the absence of MICA means that there is no longer the same threat of moisture wicking or corrosion that makes deployment and servicing so costly.
Our thermocouple cables are made in continuous splice free lengths of up to 4,000m. This is in contrast to MICA cables which can usually only be made to a maximum of 250m before requiring a splice. With a traditional MICA cable these splices can result in damage which will cause it to provide false readings, of early failure. By minimizing splices with our PFA cable we are able to increase reliability and makes deployment and servicing much quicker, and more cost-effective.
MICA vs. Perflouorokoxy (PFA) Insulation
MICA
MICA insulation offers excellent temperature ratings, however it is susceptible to moisture wicking and can be difficult to use. Excess humidity can lead to sensor failures, and MICA insulation is difficult to strip and make reliable terminations in the field. In addition, poor brazing technique or even bending of the armor of MICA cables cause attenuation, resulting in early failures or inaccurate/drifting temperature readings.
Perflouorokoxy (PFA)
GEO PSI thermocouple systems use a special form of perflourokoxy (PFA) as insulation. It has a safe operating temperature of nearly 300°C/572°F, and is much easier for crews to work with. No soft leads are required at the termination, making our solution quicker to deploy and more cost effective to service in the field.
Duplex Temperature Points
We are able to install a redundant thermocouple sensor at each measurement point. This is beneficial for data backup and results verification. Alternatively thermocouples can be spaced apart for distributed temperature measurement.
Pump Down/Pull Through System Advantage
Because our thermocouples are not externally attached, there is no change to the outside diameter of the instrumentation cable. This is convenient when deploying pump down bundles in coiled tubing deployments. We can fit more measurement points in smaller-diameter, coiled tubing strings.
Filler/Safe-Handling Section
Thermocouples are typically installed in bundles or attached to sheath membranes for pump down purposes. To avoid damage from handling or banding, we have developed a 1-2m safe handling section at the end of our instrumentation cable. This greatly reduces any wear or tear when pulling instrumentation bundles into coiled tubing.
Real-Time Data Applications
Measurement
GEO PSI Downhole Thermocouples are designed to accurately measure downhole temperature up to 285°C (545°F)
Measurement:
Temperature Range
-40°C to 285°C (300°C for short-term)
Temperature Accuracy
<± 2.2°C
Temperature Measurement Points
2 (Redundant or Spaced Apart)
Repeatability
<± 0.1°C (Depending on Logger)
Stability
Excellent
Resolution
Depends on Logger Input
Metal Jacket:
Material
Most of the cables we ship are made of high quality Stainless Steel 316L. This material provides both great strength, and corrosion resistance. If however your particular well has an exceptionally hostile downhole environment, you may want to consider Incoloy 825. This metal jacket material provides extra protection against sulfuric and phosphoric acids, oxidizing acids, putting, stress corrosion cracking, inter-angular corrosion, and damage caused by high concentrations of downhole CO2.Â
Outside Diameter (1)
4mm / 0.160″
Wall Thickness
0.76mm / 0.030″
Seam
Gas Tungsten Arc Weld
Weld Quality (2)
Eddy Inspection
Insulation:
Material
Perflouorokoxy (PFA)
Diameter
2.413mm/0.095″
Long-Term Operating Temperature
285°C (545°F)
Short-Term Operating Temperature
300°C (572°F) (3)
Color
Red and Yellow
Core:
Alumel x2
Chromel x2
4x 24 AWG Stranded
Conductor DC Resistance Return Loop (Red + Yellow)
1,532 Ω/1,000 ft at 20°C
Armour DC Resistance
SS 316L: 22.5 Ω/1,000 ft
Incoloy 825: 32 Ω/1,000 ft
Operating Voltage
1 VDC
Mechanical:
Weight
0.051 lbs/ft
Breaking Tension
SS 316L:Â 2,140 lbs
Incoloy 825: 1,900 lbs
Safe Operating Tension
SS 316L:Â 1,300 lbs
Incoloy 825:Â 1,140 lbs
Crush Rating (4)
10,000 lbs
(1) Reference specification: ASTM A632; tolerance 0.1575″ – 0.1605″.
(2) Reference specifcation: ASTM E426
(3) Cannot exceed 300°C. Call GEO PSI for more information.
(4) UL2225.
Material
Product Number
Stainless Steel 316L
PLEASE CALL
Incoloy 825
PLEASE CALL
Fill out this short questionnaire and one of our experienced team members will show you a solution designed to match the specific requirements of your well.
Visit this page on desktop to complete a brief questionnaire, or visit our contact page to get in touch with one of our experienced team members.
Measurement:
Temperature Range
-40°C to 285°C (300°C for short-term)
Temperature Accuracy
<± 2.2°C
Temperature Measurement Points
2 (Redundant or Spaced Apart)
Repeatability
<± 0.1°C (Depending on Logger)
Stability
Excellent
Resolution
Depends on Logger Input
Metal Jacket:
Material
Most of the cables we ship are made of high quality Stainless Steel 316L. This material provides both great strength, and corrosion resistance. If however your particular well has an exceptionally hostile downhole environment, you may want to consider Incoloy 825. This metal jacket material provides extra protection against sulfuric and phosphoric acids, oxidizing acids, putting, stress corrosion cracking, inter-angular corrosion, and damage caused by high concentrations of downhole CO2.Â
Outside Diameter (1)
4mm / 0.160″
Wall Thickness
0.76mm / 0.030″
Seam
Gas Tungsten Arc Weld
Weld Quality (2)
Eddy Inspection
Insulation:
Material
Perflouorokoxy (PFA)
Diameter
2.413mm/0.095″
Long-Term Operating Temperature
285°C (545°F)
Short-Term Operating Temperature
300°C (572°F) (3)
Color
Red and Yellow
Core:
Alumel x2
Chromel x2
4x 24 AWG Stranded
Conductor DC Resistance Return Loop (Red + Yellow)
1,532 Ω/1,000 ft at 20°C
Armour DC Resistance
SS 316L: 22.5 Ω/1,000 ft
Incoloy 825: 32 Ω/1,000 ft
Operating Voltage
1 VDC
Mechanical:
Weight
0.051 lbs/ft
Breaking Tension
SS 316L:Â 2,140 lbs
Incoloy 825: 1,900 lbs
Safe Operating Tension
SS 316L:Â 1,300 lbs
Incoloy 825:Â 1,140 lbs
Crush Rating (4)
10,000 lbs
(1) Reference specification: ASTM A632; tolerance 0.1575″ – 0.1605″.
(2) Reference specifcation: ASTM E426
(3) Cannot exceed 300°C. Call GEO PSI for more information.
(4) UL2225.
Material
Product Number
Stainless Steel 316L
PLEASE CALL
Incoloy 825
PLEASE CALL
Fill out this short questionnaire and one of our experienced team members will show you a solution designed to match the specific requirements of your well.
Visit this page on desktop to complete a brief questionnaire, or visit our contact page to get in touch with one of our experienced team members.
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