Pressure-Reducing Choke Geometry for Fluctuation and Erosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oilfield operations, reciprocating pumps cause fluid pressure fluctuations and high-pressure spikes due to resonance, leading to equipment vibrations and material fatigue, which traditional pressure-reducing chokes fail to mitigate effectively due to erosion.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a choke assembly with a fluid passage featuring a substantially cylindrical throat and a gradual contraction and expansion design, which reduces pressure fluctuations and minimizes erosion by increasing energy loss and reducing fluid velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If traditional pressure-reducing chokes are used to reduce pressure fluctuations, then pressure reduction is achieved, but erosion increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the choke body, specifically implementing a gradual expansion angle between 5-15 degrees and optimized throat diameter ratios, to reduce erosion while maintaining pressure reduction functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces sharp edges and abrupt transitions with curved surfaces and gradual expansions, creating a smooth flow path that reduces turbulence and erosion at the expansion section
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure-reducing chokes are installed to mitigate vibrations and strain, then equipment protection is improved, but erosion causes short service lives
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes geometric parameters including throat diameter ratio (0.3-0.7), gradual expansion angle (5-15 degrees), and body length to diameter ratio (2-5) to minimize erosion while maintaining vibration mitigation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful high-velocity jet into a beneficial pressure reduction mechanism by using a longer gradual expansion section that dissipates energy through extended turbulence rather than creating concentrated erosion zones
3Reliability
If gradual expansion chokes are used to reduce erosion, then service life is extended, but pressure fluctuation reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention identifies and optimizes critical geometric parameters including throat diameter ratio (0.3-0.7), gradual expansion angle (5-15 degrees), and body length to diameter ratio (2-5) to achieve both erosion reduction and effective pressure fluctuation mitigation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the gradual expansion section in the longitudinal dimension, creating a longer interaction zone between the fluid jet and the choke body that enhances pressure reduction while distributing erosion over a larger surface area
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 choke assembly effectively decreases downstream pressure fluctuations and reduces equipment fatigue by introducing a greater energy loss and lower erosion rates compared to traditional gradual expansion chokes, thereby extending the service life of wellsite equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The contraction portion connects the inlet and the throat and gradually decreases from the first diameter to the third diameter along a longitudinal axis of the fluid passage. The expansion portion connects the throat and the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
The choke assembly effectively decreases downstream pressure fluctuations and reduces equipment fatigue by introducing a greater energy loss and lower erosion rates compared to traditional gradual expansion chokes
Data Source
AI summary
A choke for fluid connection between a manifold and a pump. The choke includes a fluid passage having an inlet, a contraction portion, a throat, an expansion portion, and an outlet. The inlet has a first diameter and the outlet has a second diameter. The throat is substantially cylindrical, having a third diameter that is substantially less than the first and second diameters. The contraction portion connects the inlet and the throat and gradually decreases from the first diameter to the third diameter along a longitudinal axis of the fluid passage. The expansion portion connects the throat and the outlet and includes a substantially cylindrical chamber having the second diameter.