Cyclonic Debris Removing Valve for Ball and Seat Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sucker rod pumps face issues with wear and cracking of ball and seat components due to high pressures, sand control, and turbulent flow, leading to reduced service life and efficiency in petroleum extraction.
Innovation Solution
A cyclonic debris removing valve with a hydraulic piston, ported stem, containment union, containment cage, and drag plunger design that utilizes cyclonic rotation to remove debris and control fluid flow, reducing wear and improving sand management and flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ball and seat components are used in sucker rod pumps, then the pump can operate under high pressure, but the components suffer from wear and cracking leading to reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes debris particles from the fluid stream using a cyclonic separator before the fluid reaches the ball and seat components. This separation process prevents abrasive particles from contacting and damaging the components, thereby extending service life without compromising pressure handling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclonic separator acts as an intermediary device between the fluid source and the ball and seat components. It mediates the interaction by filtering out harmful debris particles, protecting the components from direct contact with abrasive materials while maintaining fluid flow and pressure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sand control measures are implemented in the pump, then sand and solids can be managed, but the complexity of the pump apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic principles to create a cyclonic flow pattern within the separator. The fluid's own kinetic energy and pressure drive the cyclonic rotation that separates debris, eliminating the need for additional mechanical moving parts or complex control mechanisms while achieving effective sand control
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclonic separator changes the flow parameters of the fluid by creating a rotating flow pattern with different velocity profiles. This parameter change enables separation of particles based on their size and density without requiring complex mechanical structures, achieving sand control through fluid dynamics alone
3Power
If turbulent flow is allowed through the pump, then high pressure pumping is achieved, but wear of pump components is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclonic separator extracts abrasive debris particles from the fluid stream before the fluid enters the pump components. By removing these harmful particles, the turbulent flow can maintain its high power capability without the same level of component wear, as the abrasive agents are eliminated
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 solution enhances wear resistance, sand control, and flow efficiency, leading to improved service life and cost performance of sucker rod pumps while maintaining compatibility with existing petroleum production devices.
Implementation Method 1
A cyclonic debris removing valve with a hydraulic piston, ported stem, containment union, containment cage, and drag plunger design that utilizes cyclonic rotation to remove debris and control fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided, in one embodiment, a ball valve for regulating the flow of petroleum fluids therethrough. The ball valve is capable of transitioning between an open and a closed position. The ball valve includes in one embodiment a hydraulic piston, containment union, ported stem, containment cage and drag plunger, and is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid northward through the valve. A ball and seat should be positioned above these components, so that the hydraulic piston may extend therethrough. More specifically, during a pump downstroke, fluid enters the drag plunger, moves northward through the containment cage and into the interior of the ported stem, exits the interior of the ported stem and enters a plurality of angled veins, which impart cyclonic motion on fluid passing northward therethrough, assisting in the removal of debris. Also during the downstroke, a pedestal portion of the hydraulic unseats the ball from the seat. During the upstroke, the piston withdraws, permitting the ball to come to rest on the seat, closing the valve.