Throttle valve and control valve

Abstract

A throttle valve includes an inlet, an outlet, and a cage located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet. The cage includes a plurality of ports, and each port of the cage has a convergent-divergent profile.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. EP22306247, filed on August 23, 2022, entitled “Choke Valves”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0003] STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] This invention was not supported by federal government research or development. Background Art

[0005] Erosive fluid flows are common in many industrial applications. For example, fluid flows associated with a subterranean wellbore may carry particulate matter at relatively high velocities (e.g., such as when flowing through a restriction). These particulate matter may strike fluid-facing surfaces within fluid-carrying equipment in and / or around the wellbore, potentially resulting in a significant degree of erosion and a corresponding reduction in service life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] To describe in detail various exemplary embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wellhead system including a choke valve according to certain embodiments;

[0008] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a choke valve of a wellhead system;

[0009] Figures 3 to 8 According to some embodiments Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the throttle valve in the cage port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] As previously mentioned, erosive fluid flows can cause considerable damage to fluid-carrying equipment in a variety of industrial applications. For example, in and / or around underground wellbores used to obtain oil, gas, water, or other minerals and resources, fluid flows may carry particulate matter at relatively high velocities, thereby causing erosion.

[0011] In one particular example, a subterranean wellbore may discharge a pressurized fluid (e.g., oil, natural gas, water, condensate, etc.) to the surface. Typically, a wellbore operator may control the pressure and flow rate of the fluid discharged from the subterranean wellbore to maintain a desired bottomhole pressure (e.g., the pressure difference between the wellbore and the surrounding subterranean formations) and provide a controlled amount of fluid from the wellbore to a delivery line (e.g., a pipeline) or other storage system. In some cases, a choke valve is used to control the pressure and / or flow rate of the fluid from the subterranean wellbore. Thus, the operator can adjust the position of the choke valve (e.g., open, closed, partially open, etc.) to provide a desired output flow rate and pressure of the fluid from the wellbore. As described above, the fluid discharged from the subterranean wellbore may contain particulate matter, such as sand, silt, etc. As these particulates flow through the choke valve, they may erode various components and surfaces within the valve, which may ultimately shorten the service life of the choke valve.

[0012] Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein include nozzle designs that can reduce or eliminate erosion associated with industrial fluid flows. In certain embodiments, the nozzles of embodiments disclosed herein can have a converging-diverging profile that can induce standing waves in the fluid flow, thereby ultimately reducing the velocity of the fluid and the erosive effects of particulate matter entrained therein. In certain embodiments, the nozzle design can be integrated into a choke valve to reduce the erosive effects of fluid from a subterranean wellbore. Thus, by using embodiments disclosed herein, the useful life of industrial fluid-carrying equipment, such as a choke valve for a subterranean wellbore, can be extended even when the flowing fluid contains other originally erosive particulate matter.

[0013] Reference Figure 1 , shows a wellhead system 5, which includes a control valve 50 according to certain embodiments disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the control valve 50 is a throttle valve, and therefore may also be referred to as a throttle valve 50 herein. The wellhead system 5 includes a wellhead 10, which receives a flow from an underground wellbore (at Figure 1 The fluid produced from the wellhead 10 eventually flows to the destination 30 through the throttle valve 50.

[0014] Destination 30 may include any suitable storage, container, or other receiving device for receiving fluids produced from wellhead 10. For example, in certain embodiments, destination 30 may include a pipeline, a storage tank, a tank truck, a tanker, or the like.

[0015] During operation, the throttle valve 50 can be selectively opened or closed to control the flow rate and pressure of fluid flowing from the wellhead 10 to the destination 30. In some embodiments, the throttle valve 50 can be manually controlled, or can be electronically controlled (e.g., by a suitable controller or other computer system).

[0016] Reference Figure 2 , shows a side cross-sectional view of a throttle valve 50 according to some embodiments. The throttle valve 50 includes one or more (e.g., multiple) inlets 52, and includes an outlet 54. In some embodiments, the inlet 52 can be arranged along a first axis 57, and the outlet 54 can be arranged along a second axis 55. The second axis 55 can be orthogonal (or perpendicular) to the first axis 57. During operation, a flow of gas from the wellhead 10 ( Figure 1 ) The discharged fluid flows into the inlet 52 and then flows out of the outlet 54, which discharges the fluid to the destination 30 ( Figure 1 ).

[0017] In certain embodiments, the throttle valve 50 may include a so-called "cage-type configuration." Specifically, the throttle valve 50 includes a cage 100 mounted between the inlet 52 and the outlet 54, which acts as a flow restriction to the fluid during operation. Therefore, the cage 100 can be positioned downstream of the inlet 52 and upstream of the outlet 54 within the throttle valve 50. In certain embodiments, the cage 100 is a generally cylindrical member including a first or upper end 100a and a second or lower end 100b opposite the upper end 100a along the axis 55. In addition, the cage 100 includes a radially outer surface 100c and a radially inner surface 100d, both of which extend axially (relative to the axis 55) between the ends 100a and 100b. The radially inner surface 100d defines a through hole 104 extending axially along the axis 55 between the ends 100a and 100b.

[0018] A plurality of holes or ports 102 extend radially (relative to the axis 55) between the radially outer surface 100c and the radially inner surface 100d. Each of the ports 102 includes a central axis 105 that may extend radially relative to the axis 55. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the central axis 105 of each port 102 (or some of the ports 102) may be aligned with or parallel to the first axis 57. In certain embodiments, the axial length of each port 102 along the corresponding axis 105 may range from about 10 millimeters (mm) to about 35 mm. During operation, fluid flowing from the inlet 52 to the outlet 54 flows through the ports 102 in the cage 100, flowing from the radially outer surface 100c to the radially inner surface 100d.

[0019] The piston 60 is positioned within the throughbore 104 of the cage 100. During operation, the piston 60 can move axially within the throughbore 104 relative to the axis 55. For example, in some embodiments, a manual mechanism (e.g., a hand wheel) can be manipulated to move the piston 60 within the throughbore 104 along the axis 55. In some embodiments, the axial position of the piston 60 within the throughbore 104 (relative to the axis 55) can be electronically adjusted (e.g., by an electric motor coupled to or including a controller).

[0020] The outer diameter of the piston 60 may be equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the throughbore 104, such that the piston 60 may be slidably engaged with the radial inner surface 100d when the piston 60 moves axially (relative to the axis 55) within the throughbore 104 of the cage 100. During operation, the piston 60 may move axially along the axis 55 within the throughbore 104 to selectively block or restrict the flow of fluid through one or more of the ports 102. Thus, the position of the piston 60 within the throughbore 104 of the cage 100 may determine the total flow of fluid through the throttle valve 50 during operation.

[0021] As the fluid travels through the throttle valve 50, the fluid may accelerate as it flows through the port 102. In some cases, as previously described, the fluid may contain sand or other particulate matter that may impact the walls of the port 102, the radially inner surface 100d, the radially outer surface 100c, and the piston 60, thereby causing erosion of these surfaces. Therefore, embodiments disclosed herein include a port 102 having a converging-diverging profile that can reduce the velocity of the fluid as it flows through the port 102, thereby reducing (or preventing) erosion of the port 102, the piston 60, and other surfaces of the cage 100. Specifically, as described in more detail below, in some embodiments, the port 102 may have a profile or shape that induces a standing wave in the fluid to reduce the velocity of the fluid and reduce erosion during operation. Because the port 102 has a converging-diverging profile, the port 102 may also be referred to herein as a nozzle.

[0022] Reference Figure 3 , according to some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of a port 102a is shown, which port 102a can be used as one or more (or all) of the ports 102 in the cage 100 of the throttle valve 50. The port 102a extends along the axis 105 between the radially outer surface 100c and the radially inner surface 100d, as previously described. In particular, the port 102a includes an inlet 210 located at the radially outer surface 100c and an outlet 212 located at the radially inner surface 100d, wherein the inlet 210 and the outlet 212 are spaced apart from each other along the axis 105.

[0023] The converging section 220 extends axially from the inlet 210 to a throat 222. In addition, a first diverging section 224 extends from the throat 222 to a step or restriction 226, and a second diverging section 228 extends from the restriction 226 to the outlet 212. The port 102a may have an inner diameter D 102 , the inner diameter D 102 The inner diameter D extends perpendicularly (or radially) relative to the axis 105. When moving axially along the axis 105 from the inlet 210 along the converging section 220 to the throat 222, the inner diameter D 102 In the throat 222, the inner diameter D 102 The minimum value in port 102a can be reached at Figure 3 It is marked as throat diameter D T Thus, the throat 222 may represent the portion of the port 102a where the converging section 220 transitions to the first diverging section 224 .

[0024] Without being bound by any particular theory, the throat diameter D T The performance of the port 102 during operation may be affected. For example, a smaller throat diameter D T It may promote rapid diffusion of the fluid flow through it, but it is easily blocked and quickly eroded by particles flowing in the fluid. On the other hand, a larger throat diameter D T This can make the port 102 more durable and allow more particles to flow therethrough. In some embodiments, the throat diameter D T The range may be from about 1 mm to about 9 mm.

[0025] When moving axially from the throat 222 along the first diverging section 224, the inner diameter D 102 The value of can be gradually increased until it reaches the constraint portion 226. In the constraint portion 226, the inner diameter D 102 can be reduced from the maximum value achieved in the first diverging section 224. However, the inner diameter D in the restriction 226 102 The reduction of the inner diameter D 102 The value is maintained to be larger than the throat diameter D T . Thereafter, the inner diameter D 102 It will gradually increase again from the restriction 226 to the outlet 212 .

[0026] Both diverging sections 224 and 228 may be generally frustoconical in shape, which is easier to machine or form within port 102a than more complex curved shapes or contours. The inner diameter D within first diverging section 224 and second diverging section 228 may be substantially frustoconical in shape, which is easier to machine or form within port 102a than more complex curved shapes or contours. 102The expansion rate can be characterized by a first diffusion angle α1 and a second diffusion angle α2, respectively. The first diffusion angle α1 and the second diffusion angle α2 may include angles measured between the central axis 105 and the inner surfaces of the first divergent section 224 and the second divergent section 226, respectively. In some embodiments, the diffusion angles α1 and α2 may be the same. However, in other embodiments, the diffusion angles α1 and α2 may be different. Without being limited to this theory or any other theory, the value of the diffusion angle within the port 102 may affect the position of the standing wave within the port 102 during fluid flow operation. More specifically, as the values ​​of the diffusion angles α1 and α2 increase, the position of the standing wave within the port 102 will shift along the axis 105 toward the inlet 210, and as the values ​​of the diffusion angles α1 and α2 decrease, the position of the standing wave within the port 102 will shift along the axis 105 toward the outlet 212. In certain embodiments, the diffusion angles α1 and α2 may range from about 5° to about 20°, alternatively from about 6° to about 15°, alternatively from about 7° to about 15°, and alternatively about 7°.

[0027] Additionally, the location of the standing wave within the port 102 may also be affected by the ratio of the cross-sectional area within the port 102 at the outlet 212 to the cross-sectional area within the port 102 at the throat 222. This ratio may be referred to herein as the area ratio (AR) of the port 102. In certain embodiments, the AR value may be selected to contain a shockwave within the port 102 during operation to accommodate a variety of different operating pressures (or pressure ratios on both sides of the cage 100). In certain embodiments, the AR of the port 102 may be at least 6.0, alternatively at least 7.0, and alternatively 7.0.

[0028] Without being limited to this or any other theory, the AR value may be selected to provide a given pressure ratio (P 54 / P52 ), a standing wave is contained within port 102. For example, for a pressure ratio P less than or equal to 10 (e.g., from about 1.3 to about 10) 54 / P 52 In the case of , it has been found that an AR of about 7 is sufficient to contain the standing wave within port 102. A pressure ratio of less than or equal to 10 may correspond to expected or typical operating conditions of throttle valve 50 within wellhead system 5. In general, as the pressure ratio P 54 / P 52 An increase or decrease in the pressure ratio P may increase or decrease AR accordingly to maintain a standing wave within the port 102 (e.g., between the inlet 210 and the outlet 212). 54 / P 52 As the pressure ratio P increases, AR can be increased accordingly to maintain the standing wave in the port 102; and as the pressure ratio P 54 / P52 As the pressure ratio P decreases, AR can be reduced accordingly to maintain the standing wave in port 102. In addition, for a given pressure ratio P 54 / P 52 As the AR value of port 102 decreases, the standing wave in port 102 will shift toward outlet 212 and away from inlet 210, and for a given pressure ratio P 54 / P 52 As the AR value of the port 102 increases, the standing wave in the port 102 will shift toward the inlet 210 .

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the throat 222 can be located axially closer to the inlet 210 than to the outlet 212. Therefore, the axial length of the converging section 220 can be less than the total length of the first diverging section 224 and the second diverging section 228. The axial position of the throat 222 along the axis 105 can be determined by the desired geometry of the port 102. For example, the throat diameter D T , the divergence angles α1 and α2 , and the value of the AR of the port 102 may determine the axial position of the throat 222 along the axis 105 between the inlet 210 and the outlet 212 .

[0030] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the port 102 at the throat 222 may be determined by the following formula (1):

[0031] (1).

[0032] In formula (1), is the expected volume flow rate of the fluid flowing through the cage 100, γ is the specific heat ratio of the fluid flowing through the port 102, R is the gas constant of the fluid flowing through the port 102, T is the temperature of the fluid flowing through the port 102, and ΣA t is the total throat area of ​​all ports 102 in the cage 100. When each port 102 has the same size and / or design, it can be calculated by adding ∑A t The cross-sectional area of ​​each port 102 at the throat 222 is determined by dividing by the total number of ports 102 in the cage 100 .

[0033] The following describes a number of embodiments of the port 102 (eg, ports 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f). Each of these embodiments has similar features to those described above with respect to Figure 3 The port 102 shown in FIG. 1 depicts a converging-diverging profile, and therefore, each port may also be referred to herein as a nozzle. However, each of the embodiments of the port 102 described below (e.g., ports 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f) also includes other embodiments that may be used in conjunction with the above description of the nozzle. Figure 3Therefore, the following description will focus on the features of the port 102 described in FIG. Figures 4 to 8 The embodiment of the ports 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f shown in FIG. Figure 3 In addition, it should be understood that Figures 4 to 8 The ports 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f shown in FIG. 1 may have suitable sizes and parameters (eg, AR, D T , diffusion angle, etc.), which are configured to induce a standing wave within port 102, thereby reducing (or preventing) erosion during operation, as previously described.

[0034] Reference Figure 4 , according to some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of port 102b is shown, which may be used as one or more (or all) of ports 102 in cage 100 of throttle valve 50. Port 102b extends along axis 105 between radially outer surface 100c and radially inner surface 100d, as previously described. In particular, port 102b includes an inlet 230 located at radially outer surface 100c and an outlet 232 located at radially inner surface 100d, wherein inlet 230 and outlet 232 are spaced apart from each other along axis 105.

[0035] The converging section 234 extends axially from the inlet 230 to the throat 236, and the diverging section 238 extends axially from the throat 236 to the outlet 232. The inner diameter D of the port 102b is 102 The inner diameter D may gradually decrease from the inlet 230 along the converging section 234 to the throat 236, and gradually increase from the throat 236 along the diverging section 238 to the outlet 232. Therefore, the throat 236 may represent a portion of the port 102b where the converging section 234 transitions to the diverging section 238, and at the throat 236, the inner diameter D 102 can reach the minimum value within port 102b (e.g., D T ).

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the throat 236 can be positioned substantially midway between the inlet 230 and the outlet 232 along the axis 105. Thus, the axial length of the converging section 234 can be substantially the same as the axial length of the diverging section 238. The increased length of the converging section 234 and the smooth change in cross-sectional area within the converging section 234 can provide a more uniform flow within the port 102 until the standing wave, thereby also providing a more uniform flow at the nozzle outlet 232. In addition, the smooth change in the converging section 234, the throat 236, and the diverging section 238 can further avoid (or at least reduce) the generation of oblique shock waves, which may occur when discontinuities occur along the port 102.

[0037] Additionally, diverging section 238 may not include Figure 3 102. Thus, diverging section 238 may include a single divergence angle α, which may be similar to the divergence angles α1 and α2 previously described with respect to port 102. Thus, in embodiments where there are no constraints (e.g., constraint 226) in a diverging section (e.g., diverging section 238), the divergence angle α along the diverging section may range from about 5° to about 20°, alternatively from about 6° to about 15°, alternatively from about 7° to about 15°, and alternatively about 7°. It should also be understood that in embodiments where the diverging segment has a truncated cone geometry along its entire axial length, the diverging angle α is constant (i.e., the same) along the entire axial length of the diverging segment; and in instances where the diverging segment has a curved geometry (e.g., diverging segment 238), the diverging angle α may vary along the axial length of the diverging segment, but the range of the tangent to the inner surface of the diverging segment defined at any point along the diverging segment is still from about 5° to about 20°, alternatively from about 6° to about 15°, alternatively from about 7° to about 15°, and alternatively about 7°.

[0038] Reference Figure 5 , according to some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of a port 102c is shown, which may be used as one or more (or all) of the ports 102 in the cage 100 of the throttle valve 50. The port 102c extends along the axis 105 between the radially outer surface 100c and the radially inner surface 100d, as previously described. In particular, the port 102c includes an inlet 240 located at the radially outer surface 100c and an outlet 242 located at the radially inner surface 100d, wherein the inlet 240 and the outlet 242 are spaced apart from each other along the axis 105.

[0039] The converging section 244 extends axially from the inlet 240 to the throat 246, and the diverging section 248 extends axially from the throat 246 to the outlet 242. The inner diameter D of the port 102c is 102 The inner diameter D may gradually decrease from the inlet 240 along the converging section 244 to the throat 246, and gradually increase from the throat 246 along the diverging section 248 to the outlet 242. Therefore, the throat 246 may represent the portion of the port 102c where the converging section 244 transitions to the diverging section 248, and at the throat 246, the inner diameter D 102 can reach the minimum value within port 102c (e.g., D T ).

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, and similar to the above with respect to port 102b ( Figure 4), the throat 246 can be positioned substantially midway between the inlet 240 and the outlet 242 along the axis 105. Thus, the axial length of the converging section 244 can be substantially the same as the axial length of the diverging section 248. The increased length of the converging section 244 and the smooth transition between the converging section 244, the throat 246, and the diverging section 248 can provide the same advantages as described above with respect to the port 102b ( Figure 4 ) can provide advantages similar to those described above, such as uniform flow through port 102c and avoidance (or reduction) of oblique shock waves. In addition, the divergence angle α of divergent section 248 can be reduced relative to a similar angle of converging section 244, so that the diameter D 102 The cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 240 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 242 .

[0041] Reference Figure 6 , according to some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of a port 102d is shown, which may be used as one or more (or all) of the ports 102 in the cage 100 of the throttle valve 50. The port 102d extends along the axis 105 between the radially outer surface 100c and the radially inner surface 100d, as previously described. In particular, the port 102d includes an inlet 250 located at the radially outer surface 100c and an outlet 252 located at the radially inner surface 100d, wherein the inlet 250 and the outlet 252 are spaced apart from each other along the axis 105.

[0042] The converging section 254 extends axially from the inlet 250 to the throat 256, and the diverging section 258 extends axially from the throat 256 to the outlet 252. The inner diameter D of the port 102d is 102 The inner diameter D may gradually decrease from the inlet 250 along the converging section 254 to the throat 256, and gradually increase from the throat 256 along the diverging section 258 to the outlet 252. Therefore, the throat 256 may represent the portion of the port 102d where the converging section 254 transitions to the diverging section 258, and at the throat 256, the inner diameter D 102 The minimum value within port 102d (e.g., D T ).

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the throat 256 can be located closer to the inlet 250 than to the outlet 252 along the axis 105. Therefore, the axial length of the converging section 254 can be significantly less than the axial length of the diverging section 258, and the majority of the axial length of the port 102d can be comprised of the diverging section 258. Without being limited to this or any other theory, by having the diverging section 258 occupy a greater percentage of the length of the port 102d, the inner diameter D of the port 102d can be increased for a given AR and divergence angle α. 102Furthermore, as described above with respect to port 102 c , the cross-sectional area of ​​inlet 250 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​outlet 252 .

[0044] Additionally, the diverging section 258 may have a frustoconical profile or shape. Without being limited to this or any other theory, compared to the curved profiles shown for example at ports 102b and 102c ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 Compared to the truncated cone profile in the diverging section 258, the truncated cone profile may be easier to machine into the port 102d. Therefore, using the truncated cone profile in the diverging section 258 may simplify the manufacturing process of the port 102d.

[0045] Reference Figure 7 , according to some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of a port 102e is shown, which port 102e can be used as one or more (or all) of the ports 102 in the cage 100 of the throttle valve 50. The port 102e extends along the axis 105 between the radially outer surface 100c and the radially inner surface 100d, as previously described. In particular, the port 102e includes an inlet 260 located at the radially outer surface 100c and an outlet 262 located at the radially inner surface 100d, wherein the inlet 260 and the outlet 262 are spaced apart from each other along the axis 105.

[0046] The converging section 264 extends axially from the inlet 260 to the throat 266, and the diverging section 268 extends axially from the throat 266 to the outlet 262. The inner diameter D of the port 102e is 102 The inner diameter D may gradually decrease from the inlet 260 along the converging section 264 to the throat 266, and gradually increase from the throat 266 along the diverging section 268 to the outlet 262. Therefore, the throat 266 may represent the portion of the port 102e where the converging section 264 transitions to the diverging section 268, and at the throat 266, the inner diameter D 102 A minimum value within port 102e may be achieved.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, port 102e may be similar to port 102d ( Figure 6 ). Thus, throat 266 may be located closer to inlet 260 than to outlet 262 along axis 105, and diverging section 268 may have a frustoconical profile or shape. However, unlike port 102d, the cross-sectional area of ​​outlet 262 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​inlet 260.

[0048] Reference Figure 8, according to some embodiments, a cross-sectional view of a port 102f is shown, which port 102f can be used as one or more (or all) of the ports in the cage 100 of the throttle valve 50. The port 102f extends along the axis 105 between the radially outer surface 100c and the radially inner surface 100d, as previously described. In particular, the port 102f includes an inlet 270 located at the radially outer surface 100c and an outlet 272 located at the radially inner surface 100d, wherein the inlet 270 and the outlet 272 are spaced apart from each other along the axis 105.

[0049] The converging section 274 extends axially from the inlet 270 to the throat 276, and the diverging section 278 extends axially from the throat 276 to the outlet 272. The inner diameter D of the port 102f is 102 The inner diameter D may gradually decrease from the inlet 270 along the converging section 274 to the throat 276, and gradually increase from the throat 276 along the diverging section 278 to the outlet 272. Thus, the throat 276 may represent a portion of the port 102f where the converging section 274 transitions to the diverging section 278, and at the throat 276, the inner diameter D 102 A minimum value within port 102f may be achieved.

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, port 102f may be similar to port 102d ( Figure 6 ). Thus, throat 276 may be located closer to inlet 270 than to outlet 272 along axis 105, and diverging section 278 may have a frustoconical profile or shape. However, unlike port 102d, the cross-sectional area of ​​outlet 272 may be greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​inlet 270, and the diverging angle α of diverging section 278 may be substantially similar to the diverging angle of diverging section 258. However, converging section 274 may be formed as a frustoconical surface (or chamfer) rather than as with respect to port 102d ( Figure 6 ) has a curved cross-sectional profile as shown in the converging section 254. Without being limited to this or any other theory, the frustoconical shape or profile of the converging section 274 and the diverging section 278 can simplify the cage 100 ( Figure 2 ) in a manufacturing process for forming the port 102f.

[0051] Embodiments disclosed herein include nozzle designs that can reduce or eliminate erosion associated with industrial fluid flows. In certain embodiments, the nozzles of the embodiments disclosed herein can have a converging-diverging profile that can induce standing waves in the fluid flow, thereby ultimately reducing the velocity of the fluid and the erosive effects of any particulate matter entrained therein. Thus, by using the embodiments disclosed herein, the service life of industrial fluid-carrying equipment, such as choke valves for subterranean wellbores, can be extended even when the flowing fluid contains other erosive particulate matter.

[0052] Although many of the specific embodiments disclosed herein include nozzles that can be used in cages of throttle valves for subterranean wellbores, it should be understood that the principles disclosed herein can also be applied to other types of control valves and a variety of different industrial applications to reduce erosion of fluid-carrying equipment. For example, also in the field of subterranean wellbores, nozzles designed according to the embodiments disclosed herein can also be used in subterranean wellbores to slow down the injection rate in carbon capture and storage operations. Specifically, in these operations, carbon dioxide (CO2) can be injected into subterranean formations through the wellbore, during which excessive fluid pressures and / or velocities can damage the subterranean formations. Therefore, the above-mentioned nozzle design can be used to slow down the rate of injected CO2, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the formation during the operation.

[0053] The above discussion relates to various exemplary embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the examples disclosed herein have broad applicability, and that the discussion of any embodiment is intended only as an example of that embodiment, and is not intended to imply that the scope of the disclosure (including claims) is limited to that embodiment.

[0054] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain features and components herein may be exaggerated or shown in somewhat schematic form, and details of some conventional elements may not be shown for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

[0055] In the discussion herein and in the claims, the terms "include" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended manner and should be interpreted to mean "including but not limited to...". In addition, the terms "coupled" or "associated" are intended to indicate direct or indirect connection. Thus, if a first device is coupled to a second device, such connection may be achieved through a direct connection between the two devices, or through an indirect connection established via other devices, components, nodes, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" generally refer to directions along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., the central axis of a body or port), while the terms "radial" and "radially" generally refer to directions perpendicular to the given axis. For example, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, while a radial distance refers to a distance measured perpendicular to the axis. In addition, when the words "about", "approximately", "substantially", "approximately" and the like are used herein (including in the claims), their meanings are within a range of plus or minus 10%.

[0056] Although exemplary embodiments have been presented, modifications thereof may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative only and not restrictive. Many variations and modifications of the systems, devices, and methods described herein are possible and are within the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is limited only by the appended claims, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. Identifiers used before steps in a method claim (such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3)) are not intended to and are not used to specify a particular order of steps, but are intended to simplify subsequent references to those steps.

Claims

1. A control valve, comprising: import; exit; a cage located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, wherein the cage includes a plurality of ports; Wherein each port of the cage has a converging-diverging profile and comprises: Port import; a port outlet, the port outlet having a cross-sectional area; a throat, the throat being located between the port inlet and the port outlet, wherein the throat has a cross-sectional area; a converging section extending from the port inlet to the throat; and a diverging section extending from the throat to the port outlet; wherein each port has an AR ratio defined by a ratio of a cross-sectional area of ​​the port outlet to a cross-sectional area of ​​the throat, wherein the AR ratio of at least one port is at least 6.

0.

2. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: The AR ratio of the at least one port is at least 7.

0.

3. The control valve according to claim 2, wherein: The AR ratio for each port is at least 6.

0.

4. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: One or both of the converging section and the diverging section include a curved profile.

5. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: The converging section includes a frustoconical profile, and the diverging section includes a frustoconical profile.

6. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: One of the converging and diverging sections includes a curved profile, and the other of the converging and diverging sections includes a frustoconical profile.

7. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: The throat is positioned along the port closer to the port inlet than to the port outlet.

8. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: The diverging section is characterized by a diffusion angle α ranging from about 5° to about 20°.

9. The control valve according to claim 8, wherein: The diffusion angle α ranges from about 6° to about 15°.

10. The control valve according to claim 8, wherein: The diffusion angle α is about 7°.

11. The control valve according to claim 1, wherein: The port inlet of each port has a cross-sectional area, and wherein the port outlet of each port has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the port inlet of the corresponding port.

12. A control valve, comprising: import; exit; a cage located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet, wherein the cage includes a plurality of ports; Wherein each port of the cage has a converging-diverging profile and comprises: Port import; Port outlet; a throat positioned between the port inlet and the port outlet; a converging section extending from the port inlet to the throat; and A diverging section extends from the throat to the port outlet, wherein the diverging section is characterized by a divergence angle α ranging from 6° to about 15°.

13. The control valve according to claim 12, wherein: The diffusion angle α is about 7°.

14. The control valve according to claim 12, wherein: The converging section or the diverging section comprises a curved profile.

15. The control valve according to claim 14, wherein: The converging section or the diverging section comprises a frustoconical profile.

16. The control valve according to claim 12, wherein: The converging section includes a frustoconical profile, and the diverging section includes a frustoconical profile.

17. The control valve according to claim 16, in, The throat of each port is positioned closer to the port inlet than to the port outlet along the port of the corresponding port.

18. The control valve according to claim 17, wherein: The port outlet of each port has a cross-sectional area, and the throat of each port has a cross-sectional area, wherein each port has an AR ratio defined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the port outlet of the port to the cross-sectional area of ​​the throat of the port, and wherein the AR ratio of each port is at least 6.

0.

19. The control valve according to claim 18, wherein: The AR ratio for each port was about 7.

0.

20. The control valve according to claim 18, wherein: The port inlet has a cross-sectional area, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the port outlet is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the port inlet.

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