Deadleg Design with Narrowed Inlet for Hydrate Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrate plugs frequently form in deadlegs of oil and gas production systems, leading to operational interruptions and safety risks due to the lack of constant flow, which existing solutions like heat tracing, insulation, and chemical injection fail to adequately address, especially in subsea environments where temperatures are lower.
Innovation Solution
A deadleg design with a larger diameter than traditional designs, combined with a narrowed inlet to restrict water entry, effectively reduces hydrate formation by increasing the distance mixing cells can cover and minimizing water saturation, thereby postponing or preventing plugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional deadleg design with minimum required diameter is used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but hydrate plug formation occurs frequently leading to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the diameter parameter of the deadleg from the minimum required size to a larger size. This parameter change increases the volume of the deadleg, thereby reducing the concentration of hydrates and preventing plug formation, which resolves the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional constraint (minimum diameter for flow) to a two-dimensional design consideration (diameter for both flow and hydrate prevention). By increasing the diameter dimension, the system achieves hydrate plug prevention while maintaining functional requirements
2Reliability
If the deadleg diameter is increased to prevent hydrate plugs, then operational reliability improves, but the amount of material and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change by increasing the deadleg diameter from minimum required to a larger size. This change in dimensional parameter directly prevents hydrate plug formation by reducing hydrate concentration, while the material quantity increase is acceptable given the critical reliability benefit
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a narrowed inlet is added to restrict water entry, then hydrate formation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a narrowed inlet section specifically at the water entry point, while the rest of the deadleg maintains its expanded diameter. This localized restriction of water entry reduces hydrate formation at the source without requiring complex structures throughout the entire deadleg system
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
This design extends the viable length of deadlegs, reduces operational interruptions, and enhances safety by minimizing the risk of hydrate formation and associated safety hazards, while being cost-effective and easily applicable to both surface and subsea systems.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the distance mixing cells can cover and minimizing water saturation
Data Source
AI summary
An essentially cylindrical deadleg having a first cross sectional area at one end of the deadleg and a second cross sectional area, the first cross sectional area being smaller than the second cross sectional area.