Chemical Injection Management System with Positive-Displacement Flow Meter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chemical-injection management systems in wells face accuracy decline due to mechanical component wear and sensor drift, especially in sub-sea applications, leading to increased operational costs for replacement and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A chemical-injection management system with a positive-displacement flow meter and direct feed-forward control of valves, immersed in a protective fluid within a sealed housing, and a pressure equalizer to reduce hydrostatic loads, enhancing accuracy and extending the system's lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional chemical-injection management systems are used with mechanical components and sensors, then the system can control chemical injection, but accuracy declines over time due to mechanical wear and sensor drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem accuracy over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical flow measurement components with a positive-displacement flow meter that uses magnetic coupling between a drive shaft and rotor. This magnetic coupling eliminates direct mechanical contact, preventing wear and sensor drift while maintaining accurate flow measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic coupling as an intermediary between the drive shaft and rotor. This magnetic field mediator transmits rotational motion without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear that would otherwise degrade measurement accuracy over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the chemical-injection management system is deployed in sub-sea applications, then it can access subsurface resources, but mechanical components wear out faster and are difficult to access for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesub-sea deployment capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wear-prone mechanical components with a magnetic coupling system that has no direct mechanical contact between moving parts. This eliminates the primary source of mechanical wear, extending system lifespan in harsh sub-sea environments where maintenance is difficult and expensive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic coupling system requires no maintenance intervention for wear compensation. The system self-maintains accuracy indefinitely as long as the magnetic coupling remains intact, eliminating the need for periodic maintenance that would otherwise be required in sub-sea applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If mechanical components are used in the chemical-injection management system, then the system can control flow, but components wear out requiring replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control capabilityVSAvoidsystem lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical contact-based flow control with magnetic coupling between the drive shaft and rotor. This maintains precise flow control capability while eliminating mechanical wear, thereby extending the system's operational lifespan indefinitely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that transmits rotational motion from the drive shaft to the rotor without physical contact. This maintains the flow control function while eliminating the mechanical wear that would otherwise limit system lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 maintains accuracy over longer periods and various conditions, reduces wear on components, and lowers maintenance costs by using a positive-displacement flow meter and direct feed-forward control, while the pressure equalizer minimizes hydrostatic loads, ensuring robust and cost-effective operation.

Implementation Method 1

A chemical-injection management system with a positive-displacement flow meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive displacement: Displacement

Implementation Method 2

A chemical-injection management system with a positive-displacement flow meter and direct feed-forward control of valves, immersed in a protective fluid within a sealed housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

a pressure equalizer to reduce hydrostatic loads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP2111496B1Chemical-injection management system

Publication Date: 2018.07.25 CAMERSON INT CORP

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AI summary

An apparatus that includes a chemical-injection management system. The chemical-injection management system may include a tree interface configured to couple the chemical-injection management system to a tree and a positive-displacement flow meter.