Expandable Conduit Blockage Compaction for Oil And Gas Flow
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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, leading to costly delays in fluid flow, as existing methods are inefficient in mitigating these blockages.
Innovation Solution
A flow management system featuring an expandable device with an inflatable membrane and fluidic actuator that can be adjusted between expanded and collapsed configurations to compact and clear blockages within the conduit, utilizing sensors and a control module to manage actuation fluid flow and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional remediation methods are used to clear blockages, then blockages can be removed, but the process is costly and causes extended downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting blockages through sensors and activating the expandable device via a control module to clear the blockage without requiring external intervention or shutdown of the production pipeline, thereby minimizing downtime and eliminating the need for costly conventional remediation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable device is pre-positioned within the conduit in a collapsed state before blockage occurs. When a blockage is detected, the device is rapidly deployed and expanded to compact the blockage material, creating a channel through the blockage before it can completely stop flow, thus preventing extended downtime
2Reliability
If the expandable device is continuously inflated to maintain channel openness, then the channel remains open, but actuation fluid is continuously consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous inflation, the system uses periodic action by inflating the expandable device only when blockages are detected by sensors. The control module activates the device to compact blockage material and create a channel, then deflates the device after the channel is established. This periodic operation maintains channel openness while minimizing actuation fluid consumption during normal flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the conduit for blockages and provide feedback to the control module. When blockage is detected, the control module activates the expandable device. This feedback mechanism ensures the device operates only when necessary, maintaining channel openness through targeted intervention rather than continuous operation, thereby reducing actuation fluid consumption
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
Effectively reopens blocked conduits by compacting and removing blockages, reducing the need for costly conventional remediation methods and minimizing downtime in oil and gas production.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable device includes an inflatable membrane that is fluidically adjustable between an expanded, inflated configuration and a collapsed, deflated configuration using an actuation fluid
Implementation Method 2
The fluidic actuator is configured to actuate the expandable device hydraulically. The fluidic actuator includes a pump
Implementation Method 3
The fluidic actuator is configured to actuate the expandable device pneumatically. The fluidic actuator includes an air compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A flow management system includes an expandable device that is configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and that is adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The flow management system further includes a fluidic actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device and a control module. The control module is configured to control the fluidic actuator to deliver actuation fluid to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to withdraw actuation fluid from the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.