A European downhole oil and gas service company wanted to improve their wireless downhole information technology. To do this they needed to develop and manufacture their own lithium thionylchloride battery. This battery needed to be custom suited to their own severe requirements to deliver reliable power to their downhole tools and sensors that relay information to the surface. Hermetic Seal Technology’s (HST’s) experience with supplying the hermetic power feed thru battery lid for lithium thionyl batteries in downhole applications was key to accomplishing their goal.
Batteries used in the downhole environment must be designed to withstand high temperatures and pressures, corrosion, and extreme shock and vibration. They must not only be able to survive these harsh conditions, but they must deliver reliable long-term downhole power.
HST’s propriety lithium corrosion resistant glass was key to providing long shelf life and long-term power output. This propriety glass does not allow the battery electrolyte to corrode the glass in the glass-to-metal seal which can cause the hermetic seal to short or leak and compromise the battery.
Beyond the glass, HST was able to recommend the best pin and body metal combinations to achievea robust design that was key to withstanding the high pressures and temperatures that the battery will encounter.
HST ability to help with the design and even make several different versions of the lid to allow the customer to see which design works best in their process. HST was also able to tweak the design to make it more manufacturable and cost efficient for the customer. HST’s 100% leak testing of each and every seal it produces was also instrumental in the reliability needed for this critical application.
Partnering with the customer by assisting with in the design and development of battery seals is just one way that HST is a leader in glass to metal seal technology.
