Heatable throttle valve for gas well
By using electromagnetic induction coil heating and thermal insulation and soundproofing design, the problems of freezing and blockage of high-pressure gas well throttle valves and noise pollution have been solved, achieving a comprehensive effect of efficient heating, thermal insulation and noise reduction, ensuring production safety and employee health.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing high-pressure gas well throttle valves are prone to freezing and blockage in cold environments, and have low heating efficiency, making it impossible to simultaneously achieve heating, heat preservation, and noise reduction, which affects production safety and employee health.
The throttle valve is directly heated by an electromagnetic induction coil. Combined with thermal insulation and sound insulation materials, the current and frequency of the electromagnetic induction coil are adjusted by a controller to achieve rapid heating and maintain the temperature, thereby reducing noise transmission.
It improves heating efficiency, avoids ice blockage in the throttle valve, ensures stable production, reduces noise pollution, protects employee health, and saves energy.
Smart Images
Figure CN224064318U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gas field production, and in particular to a heatable throttle valve for gas wells. Background Technology
[0002] In high-pressure gas well production, surface processes typically employ single-stage or multi-stage adjustable throttle valves or fixed nozzles to throttle and depressurize natural gas to meet export pressure requirements. However, when natural gas from a high-pressure well flows through a throttle valve, the sudden narrowing of the flow path creates a throttling effect, causing a pressure drop, and the gas temperature also decreases accordingly. This significant drop in temperature and pressure after throttling makes it highly susceptible to the formation of natural gas hydrates at the throttle valve, leading to ice blockage. Especially in cold winters, throttle valve freezing becomes a major factor restricting stable gas well production, causing production anomalies, and posing safety hazards.
[0003] The narrowing of the flow passage of the throttle valve increases the flow velocity of natural gas, making the flow unstable and generating turbulence and noise. The noise level near the throttle valve can reach over 100 dB, and such high noise levels can harm the occupational health of gas well operators.
[0004] High-pressure gas wells typically employ multi-stage throttling and depressurization methods, resulting in multiple noise sources within the well site, which can easily cause environmental noise pollution. If the well site is close to nearby residents, there is a risk of disturbing their peace.
[0005] In general, high-pressure gas wells employ a throttling and depressurization process, resulting in significant pressure reduction. However, this process leads to issues such as throttling valve blockage and noise pollution. These problems not only affect the safe and stable production of the gas well but also pose a threat to the occupational health of employees. Therefore, it is necessary to design a high-pressure gas well throttling valve with variable frequency heating and noise reduction. Currently, similar heating methods often use electric heating cables or water bath heating. Electric heating cables provide heat through resistance heating; when current passes through the heating cable, the resistance generates heat, which is then transferred to the pipes or equipment that need to be heated. Water bath heating uses water as the heat transfer medium to heat pipes or equipment. The water needs to be heated first, and then the heated water transfers heat to the pipes or equipment. Both of these existing heating methods are relatively inefficient, and some heat may be lost to the surrounding environment, resulting in energy waste.
[0006] In summary, the existing technology has low heating efficiency and cannot meet the requirements of high-pressure gas wells with large pressure differential throttling or low-temperature winter weather. Furthermore, it only heats the throttling valve and fails to integrate heating, heat preservation, and noise reduction functions. This makes it difficult to effectively protect the occupational health of employees, avoid environmental noise pollution, and has relatively high energy consumption due to the lack of heat preservation measures. Utility Model Content
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing throttle valve heating methods, which are inefficient and cannot meet the requirements of high-pressure gas wells with large pressure differential pressure reduction and throttling or use in low-temperature winter weather, and to provide a throttle valve that can be heated for gas wells.
[0008] This utility model provides a heatable throttle valve for gas wells, comprising:
[0009] A throttle valve, which is connected to both the inlet pipeline and the outlet pipeline;
[0010] An electromagnetic induction coil is disposed around the throttle valve;
[0011] A controller is communicatively connected to the electromagnetic induction coil, and the controller can control the electromagnetic induction coil to open or close.
[0012] This invention provides a heatable throttling valve for gas wells. High-pressure natural gas from the gas well enters the throttling valve through the inlet pipeline. After pressure reduction by the throttling valve, the natural gas pressure decreases before flowing out through the outlet pipeline or into subsequent pipelines. The throttling valve is generally made of metal, such as cast iron or brass. An electromagnetic induction coil is located around the throttling valve and can be used to heat metal objects. The controller can control the opening and closing of the electromagnetic induction coil. Directly heating the throttling valve through the electromagnetic induction coil avoids multiple energy transfers, improves heating efficiency, and provides rapid heating. It can heat the throttling valve to the predetermined temperature in a short time, meeting the requirements for use in high-pressure gas wells with large pressure differentials or in low-temperature winter weather.
[0013] The throttle valve adjusts the valve core opening size by changing the valve core stroke, thereby controlling the flow rate entering the actuator and regulating the actuator's speed and force. The throttle valve can be controlled manually or electromagnetically. The controller can also control the current magnitude and AC frequency of the electromagnetic induction coil.
[0014] Preferably, the throttle valve is equipped with a handwheel, which is connected to the throttle valve via a valve stem. The handwheel controls the opening degree of the throttle valve. By rotating the handwheel, the opening degree of the throttle valve can be adjusted, thereby controlling the flow rate of natural gas in the throttle valve.
[0015] Preferably, the throttle valve is equipped with a temperature sensor, and the controller is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined value, the controller controls the electromagnetic induction coil to open or close. The temperature sensor can measure the temperature of the throttle valve. When a predetermined start-up temperature is reached, the controller controls the electromagnetic induction coil to start working; when a predetermined stop temperature is reached, the controller controls the electromagnetic induction coil to stop working.
[0016] Preferably, the temperature sensor has a temperature measurement range of -50°C to 30°C.
[0017] Preferably, the throttle valve and the electromagnetic induction coil are enclosed in a housing. The surface of the housing has a first through hole, a second through hole, and a third through hole. The inlet pipe passes through the first through hole, the outlet pipe passes through the second through hole, and the valve stem passes through the third through hole. The housing encloses the throttle valve and the electromagnetic induction coil, preventing airflow between the inside and outside of the housing and providing some insulation for the throttle valve. The first, second, and third through holes ensure that the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, and the valve stem can pass through the housing and connect to the outside.
[0018] Preferably, the enclosure contains a filler material, which includes thermal insulation material. The thermal insulation material enhances the enclosure's insulation effect, reduces heat loss, and saves energy. The thermal insulation material can be insulating cotton, polystyrene foam, etc.
[0019] Preferably, the inner wall of the enclosure is lined with aluminum foil. The aluminum foil has heat insulation properties, further reducing heat loss and achieving a heat preservation effect.
[0020] Preferably, the filling material comprises sound-insulating material. The sound-insulating material can reduce the noise generated when the throttle valve is operating, minimizing harm to employees and disturbance to surrounding residents. The sound-insulating material can be glass wool, rock wool, or mineral wool.
[0021] Preferably, the filler is thermal insulation and soundproofing cotton or polyurethane foam. Both the thermal insulation and soundproofing cotton and the polyurethane foam provide both thermal insulation and soundproofing effects.
[0022] Preferably, the enclosure is equipped with a sound-absorbing panel. The sound-absorbing panel is a plate-shaped material used to eliminate sound and reduce noise transmission, such as cellulose board, cotton mineral sound-absorbing panel, fabric sound-absorbing panel, or polyester fiber sound-absorbing panel.
[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0024] 1. This utility model provides a heatable throttle valve for gas wells. The throttle valve is directly heated by an electromagnetic induction coil, which avoids multiple energy transfers, improves heating efficiency, and heats up quickly. It can ensure that the throttle valve does not freeze during high-pressure gas wells with large pressure differentials or in low-temperature winter weather, thus meeting normal use requirements. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a heatable throttle valve for use in gas wells.
[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic induction coil for a heated throttle valve used in gas wells.
[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a heated throttle valve for gas wells enclosed in a housing.
[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the box.
[0029] Marked in the image:
[0030] 1-Throttle valve,
[0031] 2-Electromagnetic induction coil,
[0032] 3-Temperature sensor,
[0033] 4-Controller
[0034] 5-Inlet pipeline,
[0035] 6-Outlet pipeline,
[0036] 7-Handwheel,
[0037] 8-Valve stem,
[0038] 9-Box,
[0039] 10- Filler,
[0040] 11-First through hole,
[0041] 12-Second through hole,
[0042] 13 - Third through hole. Detailed Implementation
[0043] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments; all technologies implemented based on the content of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0044] Unless otherwise specified, the use of terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "center," "inner," and "outer" to indicate orientation or positional relationships in the description of specific embodiments of this utility model is based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the utility model product / equipment / device is typically placed during use. These terms are merely for the purpose of facilitating the description of the utility model solution or simplifying the description in specific embodiments, enabling those skilled in the art to quickly understand the solution, and do not indicate or imply that a specific device / component / element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific positional relationship. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0045] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," "suspended," and "parallel" does not imply that the corresponding device / component / element must be absolutely horizontal, vertical, suspended, or parallel, but rather that it can be slightly tilted or have a deviation. For example, "horizontal" merely means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," not that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted. Alternatively, it can be simplified to mean that the corresponding device / component / element, when set in a "horizontal," "vertical," "suspended," or "parallel" direction, can have an error / deviation of ±10% relative to the corresponding direction, more preferably within ±8%, more preferably within ±6%, more preferably within ±5%, and more preferably within ±4%. As long as the corresponding device / component / element is within the error / deviation range, it can still achieve its function in the present invention.
[0046] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first," "second," and "third" in terminology is merely for distinguishing descriptions of identical or similar components and should not be interpreted as emphasizing or implying the relative importance of a particular component.
[0047] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this utility model, "several", "multiple", and "several" represent at least two. The number can be any number, such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine, and can even exceed nine.
[0048] Furthermore, in the description of the technical solution of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified / limited / restricted, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," "link," "equipped with," "laid out," and "arranged" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to common connection methods in the art, such as welding, riveting, bolting, and threaded connections. Such connections can be mechanical, electrical, or communication connections; they can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components.
[0049] Example 1
[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, a heatable throttle valve for gas wells includes a throttle valve 1, an electromagnetic induction coil 2, a controller 4, an inlet pipeline 5, and an outlet pipeline 6.
[0051] Throttling valve 1 is connected to both inlet pipeline 5 and outlet pipeline 6. Throttling valve 1 is typically made of metal, specifically cast iron or brass. High-pressure natural gas from the gas well passes through throttling valve 1 on inlet pipeline 5. After pressure reduction by throttling valve 1, the natural gas pressure decreases before flowing out of outlet pipeline 6 or into subsequent pipelines. Throttling valve 1 can be controlled manually or electromagnetically.
[0052] In an optional embodiment, the throttle valve 1 is equipped with a handwheel 7, which is connected to the throttle valve 1 via a valve stem 8. The handwheel 7 controls the opening degree of the throttle valve 1. By rotating the handwheel 7, the throttle valve 1 can be fully opened or fully closed. When the handwheel 7 is rotated to a predetermined position, the opening degree of the throttle valve 1 can also be adjusted. The opening degree range is 10%-90%, specifically 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%, in order to control the flow rate of natural gas in the throttle valve 1.
[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the electromagnetic induction coil 2 is located around the throttle valve 1. The electromagnetic induction coil 2 is a surface-insulated metal wire, which can be wound counterclockwise or clockwise around the body of the throttle valve 1, or it can be wound into a cylindrical shape larger than the diameter of the throttle valve 1, enclosing the throttle valve 1 in the middle, ensuring that the electromagnetic induction lines emitted by the electromagnetic induction coil 2 can pass through the throttle valve 1. The electromagnetic induction coil 2 can be used to directly heat metal objects, and can heat the throttle valve 1 to a predetermined temperature in a short time.
[0054] The controller 4 is connected to the electromagnetic induction coil 2 via communication, and can control the electromagnetic induction coil 2 to turn on or off. The controller 4 and the electromagnetic induction coil 2 are connected via communication, which can be a wired connection via a data cable or a wireless connection via electromagnetic wave signals.
[0055] Electromagnetic induction coil 2 utilizes the principle of electromagnetic induction to heat metal objects. When alternating current passes through the electromagnetic induction coil, an alternating magnetic field is generated around the coil. This alternating magnetic field penetrates nearby metal objects and induces eddy currents within them. These eddy currents inside the metal object generate heat due to the metal's resistance. Specifically, when high-current magnetic induction lines pass through a metal workpiece, the electrons inside the metal become very active, colliding and rubbing against each other, thus generating heat. This heating method is highly efficient because the energy is mainly concentrated inside the metal workpiece, rather than through heat conduction from an external heat source as in traditional heating methods. Controller 4 converts the 50Hz power frequency into a high-frequency power supply of approximately 20kHz. The continuously changing high-frequency current, through the magnetic induction lines generated by electromagnetic induction coil 2, cuts the metal body of throttle valve 1, generating eddy currents on the body. The Joule heating effect causes throttle valve 1 to heat up, thereby increasing the temperature of throttle valve 1 and the flowing natural gas, suppressing the formation of natural gas hydrates at the throttling section and preventing ice blockage.
[0056] In an optional embodiment, the throttle valve 1 may be equipped with a temperature sensor 3, and the controller 4 is communicatively connected to the temperature sensor 3. The controller 4 controls the electromagnetic induction coil 2 to open or close when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 3 reaches a predetermined value. The temperature sensor 3 is a sensor that can measure temperature and convert it into a usable output signal. The controller 4 and the temperature sensor 3 are connected via communication, which can be a wired connection via a data cable or a wireless connection via electromagnetic wave signals. The temperature sensor 3 can measure the temperature of the throttle valve 1. When a predetermined start-up temperature is reached, for example, when the temperature is below 0°C, the controller 4 controls the electromagnetic induction coil 2 to start working. When a predetermined stop temperature is reached, for example, when the temperature reaches 20°C, the controller 4 controls the electromagnetic induction coil 2 to stop working. Furthermore, the controller 4 can also control the current magnitude and AC frequency of the electromagnetic induction coil 2, that is, it can control the electromagnetic induction coil 2 to operate at different power levels to achieve variable frequency power heating, avoiding damage to the throttle valve 1 due to excessive power or failure to achieve the heating purpose due to insufficient power. For example, the electromagnetic induction coil 2 can be configured with four speeds: speed 1, speed 2, speed 3, and speed 4. The current and power of speed 4 are greater than those of speed 3, speed 3 is greater than those of speed 2, and speed 2 is greater than those of speed 1. When the temperature reaches -50℃ to -30℃, the controller 4 activates the electromagnetic induction coil 2 at speed 4; when the temperature reaches -30℃ to -15℃, the controller 4 activates the electromagnetic induction coil 2 at speed 3; when the temperature reaches -15℃ to 0℃, the controller 4 activates the electromagnetic induction coil 2 at speed 2; and when the temperature reaches 0℃ to 20℃, the controller 4 activates the electromagnetic induction coil 2 at speed 1. When the electromagnetic induction coil 2 is operating at speed 1, it continuously heats the throttling valve 1. During the throttling process, the natural gas continuously absorbs heat from the throttling valve 1, achieving a dynamic equilibrium with the heating of the electromagnetic induction coil 2.
[0057] In an optional embodiment, the temperature sensor 3 can have a temperature measurement range of -50°C to 30°C. The temperature sensor 3 is a sensor capable of measuring low temperatures, such as a silicon diode cryogenic temperature sensor or a resistive cryogenic temperature sensor.
[0058] In an optional embodiment, a housing 9 can be provided outside the throttle valve 1 and the electromagnetic induction coil 2. The surface of the housing 9 has a first through hole 11, a second through hole 12, and a third through hole 13. The inlet pipe 5 passes through the first through hole 11, the outlet pipe 6 passes through the second through hole 12, and the valve stem 8 passes through the third through hole 13. The housing 9 encloses the throttle valve 1 and the electromagnetic induction coil 2, blocking airflow between the inside and outside of the housing 9 and providing a certain degree of heat preservation for the throttle valve 1. At the same time, the housing 9 blocks the path for noise generated by the internal throttle valve 1 to propagate outward. The housing 9 can be made of wood or plastic and includes a front half and a rear half that can be disassembled and assembled together. During operation, the front and rear halves enclose the throttle valve 1 and are fully connected. When maintenance of the throttle valve 1 is required, the housing 9 can be easily disassembled.
[0059] In an optional embodiment, the housing 9 may be filled with a filler 10, which may include insulation material. The insulation material enhances the insulation effect of the housing 9, reduces heat loss, and allows the throttle valve 1 to remain heated for a longer period, thereby saving energy. The insulation material may be insulation cotton, polystyrene foam, etc.
[0060] In an optional embodiment, the inner wall of the enclosure 9 may be lined with aluminum foil. Aluminum foil has thermal insulation properties, further reducing heat loss and providing a heat preservation effect. The aluminum foil covers the entire inner wall of the enclosure 9, forming a closed space around the throttling valve 1. The aluminum foil reflects most of the heat radiation, effectively preventing heat loss through radiation, thus keeping the heat inside the enclosure 9 internally and preventing it from dissipating into the external environment, further improving the heat preservation effect.
[0061] In an optional embodiment, the filler 10 may include sound-insulating material. The throttle valve 1 generates significant noise during operation; using sound-insulating material can reduce this noise, minimizing harm to employees and disturbance to surrounding residents. Specifically, the sound-insulating material may be glass wool, rock wool, or mineral wool.
[0062] In an optional embodiment, the filler 10 can be thermal insulation and sound insulation cotton or polyurethane foam. Both the thermal insulation and sound insulation cotton and the polyurethane foam have both thermal insulation and sound insulation effects. Thermal insulation and sound insulation cotton is a type of man-made inorganic fiber cotton, mainly used for thermal insulation and noise reduction around building walls, roofs, floors, equipment, and machinery. It primarily utilizes its internal microporous and multi-fiber structure to absorb and convert sound energy to achieve sound absorption. When sound waves pass through the thermal insulation and sound insulation cotton, they are reflected, superimposed, and collided by countless fibers and micropores, converting sound wave energy into heat energy, weakening the sound wave intensity, and reducing the decibel level. This heat energy also has a certain heating function for the thermal insulation and sound insulation cotton. Polyurethane foam is a lightweight, porous material composed of numerous tiny air bubbles. These bubbles are surrounded by a network structure formed by polyurethane, creating a relatively dense air-sealed layer. Most of these bubbles are closed-cell, meaning they are isolated from each other, reducing direct heat conduction and convection, thereby enhancing the thermal insulation effect. Meanwhile, the gas in these bubbles can effectively absorb sound waves, and the structure of the foam can reflect, scatter, and absorb sound waves, thereby achieving a sound insulation effect.
[0063] In an optional embodiment, the housing 9 may be equipped with a sound-absorbing panel. The sound-absorbing panel can be installed on the inner or outer wall of the housing 9. The sound-absorbing panel is a plate-shaped material used to eliminate sound and reduce noise transmission, further reducing noise pollution generated by the throttle valve 1. The sound-absorbing panel can be a cellulose board; the porous structure inside the cellulose board allows it to absorb and dissipate sound waves through its pores. This structure helps reduce sound reflection and transmission, thereby improving sound insulation. The sound-absorbing panel can also be a cotton ore sound-absorbing panel, a fabric sound-absorbing panel, a polyester fiber sound-absorbing panel, etc. This embodiment can further significantly reduce the decibel level of noise transmitted from the throttle valve 1 to the outside, ensuring the occupational health of on-site employees and preventing environmental noise pollution and disturbances to residents.
[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A heatable choke for a gas well, characterized in that The utility model relates to a temperature control type throttling valve, which comprises: a throttling valve (1) in communication with an inlet pipeline (5) and an outlet pipeline (6) respectively; an electromagnetic induction coil (2) arranged at the periphery of the throttling valve (1); a controller (4) in communication with the electromagnetic induction coil (2), which can control the electromagnetic induction coil (2) to open or close; an outer part of the throttling valve (1) and the electromagnetic induction coil (2) is provided with a box (9), the box (9) is provided with a filler (10) inside, the filler (10) comprises a heat preservation material and a sound insulation material, and the box (9) is provided with a sound absorption board.
2. A heatable choke for a gas well as defined in claim 1, characterized in that The throttling valve (1) is provided with a hand wheel (7), the hand wheel (7) is connected with the throttling valve (1) through a valve rod (8), and the hand wheel (7) controls the opening degree of the throttling valve (1).
3. A heatable choke for a gas well as defined in claim 2, wherein, The throttling valve (1) is provided with a temperature sensor (3), the controller (4) is in communication with the temperature sensor (3), and the controller (4) controls the electromagnetic induction coil (2) to open or close when the temperature obtained by the temperature sensor (3) reaches a predetermined value.
4. A heatable choke for a gas well as defined in claim 3, wherein The temperature measuring range of the temperature sensor (3) is -50°C to 30°C.
5. A heatable choke for a gas well as defined in claim 4, wherein, The surface of the box (9) is provided with a first through hole (11), a second through hole (12) and a third through hole (13), the inlet pipeline (5) passes through the first through hole (11), the outlet pipeline (6) passes through the second through hole (12), and the valve rod (8) passes through the third through hole (13).
6. A heated choke for a gas well as defined in claim 5, wherein, The inner wall of the box (9) is provided with an aluminum foil.
7. A heatable choke for a gas well as defined in claim 5, wherein The filler (10) is heat preservation and sound insulation cotton or polyurethane foam.