Axial Cavity Particle Trap for Oil and Gas Flow Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle trap designs in the oil and gas industry divert fluid flow at angles perpendicular to the desired direction, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to equipment due to particulate matter accumulation, especially during power fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A particle trap with axially aligned cavities in a tubular housing that allows fluid to flow parallel to the intended direction, using a combination of cavity frames and surfaces with apertures and check-valve systems to trap particles without diverting the fluid flow, and featuring a self-cleaning mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current particle trap designs divert fluid flow at angles perpendicular to the desired direction, then particles can be trapped, but the fluid flow direction is substantially diverted from the intended direction
Solution Approach 1:
The particle trap is divided into multiple cavities (first cavity, second cavity, third cavity) arranged in series along the fluid flow path. Each cavity handles particle trapping independently while maintaining overall flow direction, allowing particles to be trapped without diverting the main fluid flow from its intended direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from perpendicular flow diversion to axial flow alignment by arranging cavities in the direction of fluid flow. The cavities are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the housing, allowing fluid to enter and exit each cavity in the same general direction while still enabling effective particle trapping through the cavity structure.
2Reliability
If particle traps are installed to trap particles during flow reduction or shutdown, then equipment damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cavity functions are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The first, second, and third cavities are combined within one housing, sharing common inlet and outlet connections, which reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate trap devices while maintaining comprehensive particle trapping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The particle trap housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains multiple trapping cavities, facilitates fluid flow distribution, and enables particle separation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If fluid flow is diverted perpendicular to the desired direction for particle trapping, then particles are removed from the fluid, but productivity is reduced due to flow path changes
Solution Approach 1:
The cavities are pre-configured along the fluid flow path to intercept particles before they can reach downstream equipment. The first cavity is positioned to trap particles early in the flow path, preventing them from traveling further, which maintains efficient flow through the system while achieving effective particle removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The particle trapping action continues throughout the fluid flow path without interrupting the overall flow direction. As fluid passes through each cavity in sequence, particle trapping occurs continuously along the flow path, maintaining both removal efficiency and flow productivity simultaneously.
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
Enables efficient particle trapping without diverting fluid flow, maintaining primary direction integrity and preventing equipment damage by allowing parallel fluid flow and self-cleaning capabilities, thus enhancing operational reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The particle trap may comprise a check-valve system to prevent back-flow through the particle trap
Implementation Method 2
one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing which allow fluid to flow through the particle trap without substantially deviating from a direction of fluid flow through an input to the particle trap
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for trapping particles disposed in a fluid. The apparatus may comprise one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing, one or more connecting components disposed at opposing ends of the housing, and may optionally comprise a check valve system. Alternate embodiments are provided for forming each of the one or more cavities, which may comprise a combination of a cavity frame and cavity surface. The method may comprise flowing a fluid into a first end of a particle trap apparatus at a rate of fluid flow, directing the fluid flow at least partially through one or more cavity sub-assemblies disposed in the particle trap apparatus, collecting the particulate matter in one or more of the cavity sub-assemblies when the rate of fluid flow may slow or become suspended, and clearing collected particles from the one or more cavity sub-assemblies upon restoration of fluid flow in a primary direction of travel.