Adjustable Compactor Flow Management for Pipeline Blockages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Production pipelines for oil and gas often experience blockages due to sedimentation of substances like gas hydrates and scale, which can completely halt fluid flow, leading to costly delays if not mitigated.
Innovation Solution
A flow management system featuring an adjustable compactor that deforms under an electric field, compacting blockages within the conduit to reopen the flow channel, utilizing an electric actuator and control module to extend and retract the compactor for effective blockage removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional remediation methods are used to clear blockages, then blockages can be removed, but the process is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical blockage removal methods (such as pigging, hydroblasting, or manual intervention) with an electric field-based actuation system. The adjustable compactor uses electric field actuation to generate controlled radial forces that compact blockages in-place, eliminating the need for physical removal tools and reducing both time and cost of remediation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the conduit to clear its own blockages using the adjustable compactor, which can be activated on-demand through the control module. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external intervention or specialized remediation equipment, allowing rapid clearing of blockages without stopping production or incurring additional costs.
2Reliability
If an adjustable compactor is installed on the conduit, then blockages can be compacted to reopen flow channels, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable compactor is designed as a multi-functional device that can be attached to various types of conduits (metallic or non-metallic) and handles different blockage compositions (gas hydrates, scale, sediment). The electric field actuation mechanism provides universal applicability across different operating conditions, while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The compactor features dynamic adjustability in both radial dimension (to accommodate different conduit diameters) and axial dimension (to adjust compaction force and duration). The control module enables dynamic control of the electric field actuation, allowing the system to adapt to varying blockage conditions and optimize performance while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently reopens blocked conduits by compacting and removing blockages, preventing costly delays and reducing the need for conventional remediation methods, while being cost-effective and suitable for various environments.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustable compactor is deformable between an extended configuration and a reference, non-extended configuration under the influence of an electric field. Accordingly, the flow management system also includes an electric actuator (for example, a power source) for delivering a current to or removing a current from the adjustable compactor to respectively generate or remove an electric field at the adjustable compactor.
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable compactor is configured to deform radially inward with respect to the conduit to compact the flow blockage and to deform radially outward with respect to the conduit to expose the channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing a fluid flow within a conduit includes determining a presence of a flow blockage within the conduit, the conduit being equipped with an adjustable compactor, controlling an electric actuator to flow a current to the adjustable compactor to generate an electric field at the adjustable compactor, extending the adjustable compactor radially inward from a reference configuration under a force of the electric field, compacting the flow blockage radially along a length of the adjustable compactor to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, and returning the adjustable compactor to the reference configuration to expose the channel and open the conduit to fluid flow.