Corrosion Coupon Holder Insert for Orifice Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corrosion coupon holders for pipelines require significant labor and cost to install and remove, disrupting fluid flow and necessitating physical inspection or disassembly, which is impractical and costly.
Innovation Solution
A corrosion coupon holder designed as an insert for orifice fittings with a retaining member and dielectric insulating layer, allowing for quick and easy installation and removal without interrupting fluid flow, using a lug and spacer to securely position the coupon within the pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coupon holders are installed on pipelines, then corrosion coupons can be retained in the pipeline for corrosion testing, but the installation requires shutting down fluid flow and involves significant labor and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupon holder is designed as an insert that fits inside the existing orifice fitting, which itself is already installed in the pipeline. This nested structure allows the coupon holder to be installed without requiring pipeline shutdown or external mounting, thereby maintaining fluid flow continuity while enabling corrosion testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupon holder is designed to be universally compatible with standard orifice fittings used in pipelines. By leveraging the existing orifice fitting infrastructure, the system enables corrosion testing without requiring separate installation procedures or pipeline modifications, thus maintaining productivity while adding testing capability.
2Reliability
If traditional coupon holders are installed on pipelines, then corrosion coupons can be retained, but the installation and removal process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The coupon holder is nested within the orifice fitting, allowing it to be installed and removed as a simple insert component rather than requiring external mounting or pipeline disassembly. This reduces installation and removal time significantly while maintaining the ability to retain corrosion coupons for testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupon holder is designed as a separate, modular insert that can be independently installed and removed from the orifice fitting. This segmentation allows for quick installation and removal without affecting the pipeline or orifice fitting permanently, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining corrosion testing capability.
3Reliability
If traditional coupon holders are installed on pipelines, then corrosion coupons can be retained, but physical inspection or disassembly of the pipeline is required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupon holder is nested inside the orifice fitting, which is already installed in the pipeline. This eliminates the need for pipeline disassembly or physical inspection, as the coupon holder provides internal retention capability within the existing pipeline infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining testing capability.
4Measurement precision
If corrosion coupons are removed from the pipeline for analysis, then corrosion degree can be estimated, but fluid flow must be interrupted and labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The coupon holder is nested within the orifice fitting, allowing corrosion coupons to be installed and retrieved without pipeline shutdown. The coupon can be removed through the orifice fitting assembly, maintaining fluid flow continuity while enabling precise corrosion measurement through coupon analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention provides an insert for an orifice fitting in a pipeline. The insert includes a retaining member having an exteriorly facing surface dimensionally corresponding to cross-sectional interior dimensions of a carrier in the orifice fitting. Thus, the insert is positionally stabilized in a predetermined position within the pipeline and in substantial registry with the orifice fitting. A lug is affixed to the interiorly facing surface of the retaining member. The lug projects inwards towards a center of the retaining member and provides an interiorly facing mounting surface. A dielectric insulating layer is on the interiorly facing mounting surface of the lug, wherein the dielectric insulating layer includes a first element of a cooperating attachment member. The cooperating attachment member removably securely retains a corrosion coupon on the dielectric insulating layer upon engagement of the first element with a second element of the cooperating attachment member.