Double Block And Bleed Valve With Self-Flushing Plug Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double block and bleed valves in the oil and gas industry face operational inefficiencies and potential failure due to sediment, debris, or sludge buildup in the valve cavity, which obstructs fluid flow and requires frequent disassembly for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotatable plug with upwardly projecting lips and gaps between the plug and valve body, allowing continuous fluid flow through a secondary path that flushes debris out of the cavity during operation, ensuring efficient fluid communication and sediment removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the plug closely conforms to the interior of the valve body in the open position, then efficient fluid flow is achieved with little loss to the valve interior, but sediment and debris accumulate in the cavity beneath the plug over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the single fluid path into two separate paths: a first continuous fluid path through the plug's central passage for efficient flow, and a second continuous fluid path through the cavity beneath the plug for flushing debris. This segmentation allows the valve to simultaneously achieve efficient flow and self-cleaning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary fluid path (the second continuous fluid path through the cavity) that acts as a mediator to carry debris and sediment away from the valve interior. This intermediary path enables the removal of contaminants without affecting the primary fluid flow through the plug.
2Ease of operation
If the cavity beneath the plug is designed to accommodate downward movement, then the plug can transition smoothly between open and closed positions, but the cavity fills with sediment and debris over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes continuous fluid flow through the second fluid path that constantly flushes the cavity beneath the plug during valve operation. This continuous action prevents sediment accumulation by continuously removing debris as it enters the cavity, maintaining ease of operation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design enables self-service cleaning where the fluid flowing through the valve automatically cleans the cavity beneath the plug. The second continuous fluid path uses the valve's own operating fluid to flush out debris, eliminating the need for external cleaning operations.
3Reliability
If slips carrying resilient seals are used to provide positive closure, then effective sealing is achieved, but frequent disassembly is required to clean sediment from the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service cleaning where the valve's own fluid flow automatically cleans the cavity beneath the plug during normal operation. The second continuous fluid path continuously flushes debris away, eliminating the need for frequent disassembly and manual cleaning while maintaining effective sealing through the slips and resilient seals.
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 self-flushing mechanism effectively clears sediment and debris from the valve cavity, maintaining smooth operation and preventing valve failure by diverting a portion of the fluid flow to carry away contaminants, as demonstrated by increased fluid pressure and velocity through the modified valve design.
Implementation Method 1
a second continuous fluid path through the valve defined by the bottom portion of the plug, the interior surface of the lower cap and the openings provided by the first and second upwardly projecting lips
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a self-cleaning double block and bleed valve. The valve includes a plug modified to divert a portion of the fluid flowing through the valve into and through a cavity located beneath the plug. The diverted fluid passing along a secondary flow path beneath the plug and subsequently rejoining the primary flow path. The diverted fluid removes debris, sediment or sludge from the cavity beneath the plug.