An adaptive flexible jumper plug slug flow elimination device

Abstract

The application discloses a self-adaptive flexible jumper plug flow eliminating device, which comprises a monitor, a floating device and a controller. The monitor is arranged on the flexible jumper and connected with the controller, and is used for monitoring whether plug flow occurs in the flexible jumper. The floating device comprises a hydroelectric power generation device, a battery, a buoyancy cabin and an electro-magnetic device which are sequentially arranged on the flexible jumper. The hydroelectric power generation device is used for generating hydroelectric power by using sea current, and transmitting electric energy to the battery for energy storage. Two floating devices are arranged, and the electro-magnetic device of one floating device is arranged adjacent to the electro-magnetic device of the other floating device. The controller is used for receiving the monitoring result of the monitor, and controlling the buoyancy of the buoyancy cabin and the magnetic force of the electro-magnetic device according to the monitoring result. The application can self-adaptively eliminate the plug flow of the flexible jumper, and provides technical support for ocean oil and gas exploitation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine oil and gas extraction technology, and in particular to an adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device. Background Technology

[0002] To cope with the complex and undulating seabed topography, jumpers play a crucial role in subsea oil and gas production and transportation systems. Jumpers are divided into rigid and flexible jumpers. Compared to rigid jumpers, flexible jumpers have a longer applicable distance, are easier to install, and have stronger environmental adaptability. However, under the influence of seabed environmental loads (such as wave loads), due to the flow imbalance between liquids and gases, severe slugging often occurs in long sections of flexible jumpers. This poses serious hazards to oil and gas production and system operation, such as reduced production efficiency, increased safety risks, environmental pollution, and economic losses, severely restricting the application and maintenance of long-distance flexible jumpers.

[0003] Existing methods for reducing or eliminating severe slug flows mainly include throttling, air lift, disturbance, subsea separation, and flow control. However, these methods have the following drawbacks:

[0004] (1) It lacks intelligent control capabilities and cannot intelligently adjust the elimination device according to real-time dynamic changes in the fluid. Therefore, it cannot take corresponding treatment methods according to different severe slug flow conditions, resulting in the inability to completely eliminate the problem of severe slug flow.

[0005] (2) There is a problem of increased back pressure, which will lead to a decrease in fluid flow rate, thereby reducing production efficiency.

[0006] (3) Lack of energy supply capacity for complex marine environments. In marine environments, energy is a precious and limited resource, and existing facilities cannot fully utilize marine energy to meet their energy needs.

[0007] (4) Limited adaptability to the marine environment. The marine topography is complex and earthquakes are frequent. Once the topography changes, it will have an unpredictable impact on the shape of the pipeline, which in turn will affect the flow pattern of oil and gas, thereby reducing transportation efficiency.

[0008] (5) Limited ability to handle biofouling and pipeline stability. A large number of organisms exist in the marine environment, which may attach to the pipeline surface, causing corrosion and damage. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device.

[0010] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0011] An adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device includes a monitor, a floating device, and a controller;

[0012] The monitor is mounted on the flexible cross-connector and connected to the controller, and is used to monitor whether slug flow occurs in the flexible cross-connector;

[0013] The floating device includes a hydroelectric power generation device, a battery, a buoyancy chamber, and an electromagnetism device, which are sequentially mounted on a flexible cross-connector. The battery is electrically connected to the hydroelectric power generation device, the buoyancy chamber, and the electromagnetism device. The hydroelectric power generation device is used to generate hydroelectric power using ocean currents and transfer the electrical energy to the battery for energy storage.

[0014] Two floating devices are provided, and the electromagnetic device of one floating device is arranged adjacent to the electromagnetic device of the other floating device;

[0015] The controller is used to receive the monitoring results from the monitor and control the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber and the magnetic force of the electromagnetic device according to the monitoring results.

[0016] Preferably, the monitor is an ultrasonic monitor.

[0017] Preferably, the hydroelectric power generation device includes a permanent magnet, a ball bearing, and a hydraulic gear arranged coaxially from the inside to the outside. The hydraulic gear is provided with a copper coil, and the permanent magnet is sleeved on the flexible cross-connector and fixedly connected to the battery.

[0018] Preferably, the permanent magnet is a neodymium iron boron permanent magnet.

[0019] Preferably, the surface of the permanent magnet is provided with an anti-corrosion layer.

[0020] Preferably, the anti-corrosion layer is made of epoxy resin.

[0021] Preferably, the buoyancy chamber includes a buoyancy chamber body, a water level sensor, a drain outlet, and a drain pump. The water level sensor is disposed in the buoyancy chamber body, the drain outlet is disposed on the buoyancy chamber body, and the drain pump is connected to the controller for controlling the buoyancy chamber body to drain water through the drain outlet to adjust buoyancy.

[0022] Preferably, the battery is a lithium iron phosphate battery.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0024] (1) The present invention can monitor the generation of slug flow through the monitor. By feeding the monitoring data back to the controller, the controller can intelligently adjust the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber and the magnetic force of the electromagnetic device, thereby adjusting the angle of the pipe where the slug flow occurs, so as to eliminate the slug flow and improve the efficiency of oil and gas extraction.

[0025] (2) By setting up the hydropower generation device, the present invention can generate electricity using marine energy, achieve energy self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on traditional energy, reduce the operation and maintenance costs in the process of marine oil and gas extraction, improve energy utilization efficiency, and contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection.

[0026] (3) By setting up a buoyancy chamber and an electromagnetic device, the present invention can move left and right along the flexible cross pipe under the control of the controller, which can interrupt the attachment process of marine organisms, such as barnacles, shellfish and gastropods, making it difficult for them to fix on the surface of the cluster riser and reducing the corrosion of the pipe by marine organism secretions.

[0027] (4) By setting up a floating device, the present invention can adjust the position and angle of the pipe bend by changing the device height and the device spacing at timed intervals through the controller, thereby preventing stress concentration for a long time due to fixed bends, reducing the risk of pipe fatigue failure and effectively improving the service life of the pipe.

[0028] (5) By setting up a buoyancy chamber, the present invention can adjust the position of the buoyancy chamber by controlling the magnitude of the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber, thereby achieving autonomous control of the pipeline lifting height, reducing the impact of submarine earthquakes on submarine pipelines; and reducing the pressure of the pipeline on the seabed foundation, preventing the pipeline from crushing the foundation, while reducing the friction between the pipeline and the seabed, and reducing the risk of wear and tear on the submarine pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the conventional state of the adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of the electromagnetic device of the adaptive flexible cross-pipe block flow elimination device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the working state of the adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a specific embodiment of the buoyancy chamber of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a top view schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the buoyancy chamber of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the electromagnetism device of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a top view schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the electromagnetism device of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of the adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device of the present invention.

[0041] Numbers in the diagram: 1-Hydropower generation device, 2-Battery, 3-Buoyancy chamber, 4-Electromagnetic device, 5-Drainage pump, 6-Drainage outlet, 7-Flexible cross-connection, 8-Monitor, 9-Controller, 10-Permanent magnet, 11-Ball bearing, 12-Hydropower gear, 13-Water level sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and technical features described in this application can be combined with each other. It should also be pointed out that, unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "comprising" or "including" and similar words used in this invention refer to elements or objects preceding the word that encompass the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects.

[0043] like Figure 1-11 As shown, the present invention provides an adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device, including a monitor 8, a floating device and a controller 9;

[0044] The monitor 8 is arranged on the flexible crossover pipe 7 and connected to the controller 9, and is used for monitoring whether slug flow occurs in the flexible crossover pipe 7;

[0045] The floating device includes a hydroelectric power generation device 1, a battery 2, a buoyancy chamber 3, and an electromagnetic generation device 4 that are sequentially sleeved on the flexible crossover pipe; the battery 2 is electrically connected to the hydroelectric power generation device 1, the buoyancy chamber 3, and the electromagnetic generation device 4 respectively. The hydroelectric power generation device 1 is used for hydroelectric power generation by using ocean currents and transmitting the electric energy to the battery 2 for energy storage;

[0046] Two floating devices are provided, and the electromagnetic generation device 4 of one floating device is arranged adjacent to the electromagnetic generation device 4 of the other floating device;

[0047] The controller 9 is used for receiving the monitoring result of the monitor 8 and controlling the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber 3 and the magnetic force of the electromagnetic generation device 4 according to the monitoring result.

[0048] Severe slug flow generally occurs at the submarine undulating terrain. The flexible crossover pipe arranged here is in a "zigzag" shape, and severe slug flow mainly occurs at the corner at the bottom of the "zigzag". Therefore, in a specific embodiment, the monitor is arranged at the place where severe slug flow is most likely to occur in the riser under normal conditions, and the floating device is arranged on the horizontal flexible crossover pipe at the top of the "zigzag", as Figure 1 shown.

[0049] When the self - adaptive flexible crossover pipe slug flow elimination device of the present invention works, the monitor 8 monitors whether slug flow occurs in the flexible crossover pipe 7. When slug flow is detected, a signal is sent to the floating device. The floating device is sleeved on the flexible crossover pipe 7, and there is a gap between the two. Thus, under the action of the electromagnetic generation device 4 and the buoyancy chamber 3, the angle of the flexible crossover pipe 7 is adjusted. During this process, the hydroelectric power generation device 1 generates hydroelectric power under the action of ocean currents and stores energy for the battery 2.

[0050] When the battery 2 transmits the stored electric energy to the electromagnetic generation device 4, a magnetic field will be generated when current passes through the electromagnetic generation device 4. The direction of the magnetic field can be determined by the right - hand screw rule: overlap the four fingers of the right hand with the direction of the current, and the direction pointed by the thumb is the direction of the magnetic field. Two adjacent electromagnetic generation devices 4 can be equivalently regarded as a magnet with the right part being the N - pole and the left part being the S - pole at the same time. Due to the "opposite - sex attraction" of the magnet, there is an electromagnetic force between the two floating devices, which makes them approach each other, thereby adjusting the angle of the flexible crossover pipe 7, as Figure 2As shown. Simultaneously, the floating device can disrupt the attachment process of marine organisms, such as barnacles, mollusks, and gastropods, making it difficult for them to adhere to the surface of the flexible cross-connector 7. The state of the flexible cross-connector when eliminating slug flow and restoring normal multiphase flow is as follows. Figure 3 As shown.

[0051] In one specific embodiment, the monitor 8 is an ultrasonic monitor. It should be noted that the monitor 8 is used to monitor whether slugging occurs in the flexible jumper pipe 7. Besides the monitor used in this embodiment, other monitors in the prior art can also be applied to this invention.

[0052] In one specific embodiment, the hydroelectric power generation device 1 includes a permanent magnet 10, a ball bearing 11, and a hydraulic gear 12 arranged coaxially from the inside to the outside. The hydraulic gear 12 is provided with a copper coil. The permanent magnet 10 is sleeved on the flexible cross-connector 7 and fixedly connected to the battery 2.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the hydraulic gear 12 rotates on the flexible cross-connector 7 and the permanent magnet 10 via the ball bearing 11 under the action of ocean current, driving the internal copper coil to rotate. The copper coil cuts the permanent magnet 10 to generate magnetic field lines, forming an induced current to generate electricity. At the same time, the electrical energy is transferred to the battery 2 for energy storage through the copper wire.

[0054] In one specific embodiment, the permanent magnet 10 is a neodymium iron boron permanent magnet, and the surface of the permanent magnet 10 is provided with an anti-corrosion layer, which is made of epoxy resin.

[0055] In the above embodiments, neodymium iron boron is used as the permanent magnet, which can provide superior magnetic properties and a high energy product; by setting an anti-corrosion layer, corrosion of the permanent magnet can be prevented, thereby improving its service life. It should be noted that the anti-corrosion material used in the above embodiments is only a preferred anti-corrosion material, and other anti-corrosion materials in the prior art that can prevent corrosion of permanent magnets can also be applied to this invention.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, the buoyancy chamber 3 includes a buoyancy chamber body, a water level sensor 13, a drain outlet 6, and a drain pump 5. The water level sensor 13 is disposed in the buoyancy chamber body, the drain outlet 6 is disposed on the buoyancy chamber body, and the drain pump 5 is connected to the controller 9 for controlling the buoyancy chamber body to drain water through the drain outlet 6 to adjust buoyancy.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the water level sensor 13 can accurately measure the water level inside the buoyancy chamber and output corresponding signals or data to monitor the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber 3 by measuring the water level. The drain pump 5 can be switched on and off under the control of the controller 9. The drain pump 5 can pump seawater out of the buoyancy chamber through the drain port 6, and can also open the drain port 6 to allow seawater to enter when water needs to be introduced, thereby adjusting the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber 3.

[0058] When the floating device needs to rise, the drain pump 5 discharges seawater from the buoyancy chamber through the drain port 6. Once the target water level is reached, the pump stops, and the drain port 6 closes. At this point, due to the partial vacuum inside the buoyancy chamber, buoyancy increases, causing the floating device to rise, followed by the flexible tube. When the floating device needs to descend, the drain port 6 opens, and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the chamber allows seawater to enter the buoyancy chamber. Once the target water level is reached, the drain port 6 closes. The specific target water level is controlled according to the required buoyancy.

[0059] In one specific embodiment, battery 2 is a lithium iron phosphate battery. In this embodiment, lithium iron phosphate batteries are used, which are safe to use, have a cycle life of over 2000 cycles and a theoretical lifespan of 7-8 years, and a wide operating temperature range (-20℃ to 75℃). They are lightweight and suitable for special environments such as the seabed. Lithium iron phosphate batteries can provide a reliable power supply in subsea oil and gas transportation equipment, meeting high energy consumption requirements and reducing the need for frequent battery replacements. Using lithium iron phosphate batteries ensures long-term stable operation of the equipment while reducing negative environmental impacts.

[0060] In one specific embodiment, the flexible jumper 7 is made of steel wire braided tubing. In this embodiment, the steel wire braided tubing enables the flexible jumper to have high strength and pressure resistance. It can withstand high pressure and is suitable for the high-pressure environment in subsea oil and gas transportation. Furthermore, an anti-corrosion layer is applied to its surface to resist corrosion from seawater and the erosion of chemicals.

[0061] In one specific embodiment, the outer shells of the ultrasonic monitor, controller 9, hydroelectric power generation device 1, ball bearing 11, buoyancy chamber 3, etc. are all designed and made of stainless steel (Su316), which has corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, can resist corrosion in seawater, and can maintain stability under high temperature and high pressure environments.

[0062] Both the copper coil inside the hydraulic gear 12 and the copper coil in the electromagnetic device 4 are made of tin-plated copper wire. Utilizing its corrosion resistance, it can better resist humidity, oxidation, and corrosion, extending its service life. Optionally, the copper coil can be wrapped with polyethylene. Polyethylene exhibits good corrosion resistance and water resistance in marine environments, and it has high insulation performance and mechanical strength, effectively protecting the cable from seawater erosion.

[0063] It should be noted that the electromagnetic device 4 mainly uses electrical energy to generate a magnetic field, which is existing technology, and its specific structure will not be described in detail here.

[0064] In one specific embodiment, the inner diameters of the hydroelectric power generation device 1, battery 2, buoyancy chamber 3, and electromagnetic device 4 are 213.7mm-405.1mm, and the inner diameter of the ultrasonic monitor is 193.7mm-365.1mm (Note: the inner diameter is related to the outer diameter of the marine oil and gas transportation pipeline, exceeding the outer diameter by 20mm-40mm to allow for vertical movement of the device); the controller 9 is 100-120mm long, 100-120mm wide, and 50-60mm high.

[0065] The outer diameter of the buoyancy chamber 3 is 403.7mm-575.1mm, the height is 200mm-500mm, and the thickness is 5mm-10mm. The drain outlet 6 is located at the bottom of the buoyancy chamber body, and the diameter of the drain outlet 6 is 10mm-30mm (Note: The outer diameter and height of the buoyancy chamber 3 are related to the weight of the device).

[0066] The number of turns of the copper coil in the hydroelectric power generation device 1 is 500-700, and the number of winding layers is 1-5; the number of turns of the copper coil in the electromagnetization device 4 is 100-300, and the number of winding layers is 1-5.

[0067] The hydroelectric power generation device 1 has 6 outer fan blades and one permanent magnet 10. The ball bearing 11 has 12-24 balls, a height of 200mm-500mm, and an outer diameter of 503.7mm-675.1mm.

[0068] In summary, this invention can control the electromagnetic device 4 and the buoyancy chamber 3 separately through the controller 9, adaptively realizing flexible changes in the angle of the flexible cross-connector, enabling it to adapt to different terrains and requirements, and improving the flexibility and adaptability of the pipeline system. Compared with the prior art, this invention represents a significant advancement.

[0069] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device, characterized in that, Includes monitors, floating devices, and controllers; The monitor is mounted on the flexible cross-connector and connected to the controller, and is used to monitor whether slug flow occurs in the flexible cross-connector; The floating device includes a hydroelectric power generation device, a battery, a buoyancy chamber, and an electromagnetism device, which are sequentially mounted on a flexible cross-connector. The battery is electrically connected to the hydroelectric power generation device, the buoyancy chamber, and the electromagnetism device. The hydroelectric power generation device is used to generate hydroelectric power using ocean currents and transfer the electrical energy to the battery for energy storage. Two floating devices are provided, and the electromagnetic device of one floating device is arranged adjacent to the electromagnetic device of the other floating device; The controller is used to receive the monitoring results from the monitor and control the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber and the magnetic force of the electromagnetic device according to the monitoring results.

2. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitor is an ultrasonic monitor.

3. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydroelectric power generation device includes a permanent magnet, a ball bearing, and a hydraulic gear arranged coaxially from the inside to the outside. The hydraulic gear has a copper coil inside, and the permanent magnet is sleeved on the flexible cross tube and fixedly connected to the battery.

4. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The permanent magnet is a neodymium iron boron permanent magnet.

5. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The permanent magnet has an anti-corrosion layer on its surface.

6. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The anti-corrosion layer is made of epoxy resin.

7. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buoyancy chamber includes a buoyancy chamber body, a water level sensor, a drain outlet, and a drain pump. The water level sensor is located inside the buoyancy chamber body, the drain outlet is located on the buoyancy chamber body, and the drain pump is connected to the controller to control the buoyancy chamber body to drain water through the drain outlet to adjust buoyancy.

8. The adaptive flexible cross-pipe blockage elimination device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The battery is a lithium iron phosphate battery.

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