Drag Reducing Polymer Recovery in Low Molecular Weight Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low molecular weight hydrocarbon fluids, such as NGLs and LPGs, face inefficiencies due to pressure drops during pipeline transport, and existing drag reducing agents (DRAs) are not effective or can deposit and cause issues due to volatility differences, making it difficult to maintain flow and require costly removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving introducing a drag reducing polymer into low molecular weight fluids, vaporizing the mixture with a high molecular weight liquid in a vaporization vessel to isolate the polymer from the vaporized fluid, allowing the polymer to remain in the liquid phase, which can then be recirculated and sheared to maintain concentration without increasing viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drag reducing polymers are used in low molecular weight fluids, then pressure drop is reduced and flow rate is enhanced, but the polymer deposits and causes operational issues due to volatility differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a high molecular weight liquid as an intermediary substance in the vaporization vessel. This intermediary selectively absorbs the drag reducing polymer from the vaporized low molecular weight fluid, preventing polymer deposition in the pipeline while enabling continuous operation. The intermediary acts as a mediator that captures the harmful polymer component without interfering with the desired fluid transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition (vaporization) to separate the drag reducing polymer from the low molecular weight fluid. By vaporizing the mixture in a controlled environment and then condensing the vapor, the polymer remains in the liquid phase while the fluid transitions to gas phase, enabling separation and preventing polymer deposition issues.
2Reliability
If ultra-high molecular weight polymers are used as drag reducers, then drag reduction effectiveness is improved, but the polymers thermal degrade at temperatures below vaporization temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing the drag reducing polymer into the low molecular weight fluid before vaporization occurs. This allows the polymer to be distributed throughout the fluid and then selectively captured by the high molecular weight liquid intermediary during the vaporization process, preventing thermal degradation while maintaining drag reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The high molecular weight liquid serves as an intermediary that protects the ultra-high molecular weight polymer from thermal degradation. The intermediary absorbs the polymer at controlled temperatures, preventing direct exposure to conditions that would cause degradation, while still enabling the polymer to function as intended in the fluid.
3Productivity
If drag reducing agents are used in NGLs or LPGs, then turbulent flow drag is reduced, but the agents cannot be removed by simple filtration due to solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a high molecular weight liquid as an intermediary substance that selectively absorbs the drag reducing agent from the NGL or LPG mixture. This intermediary enables separation of the soluble polymer from the hydrocarbon fluid through selective dissolution, making removal feasible without complex filtration processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing a high molecular weight liquid with specific solubility characteristics. This parameter change enables the drag reducing agent to be transferred from the hydrocarbon phase to the high molecular weight liquid phase, facilitating separation and removal through phase-based differentiation rather than filtration.
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 method effectively reduces pressure drops in pipelines by maintaining the drag reducing polymer in the liquid phase, preventing deposition and enabling efficient recovery, thus enhancing flow rates and reducing operational costs by avoiding polymer fallout and deposition issues.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a drag reducing polymer into a low molecular weight fluid to form a mixture. The mixture is vaporized in a vaporization vessel containing a high molecular weight liquid that is miscible with the mixture and contacts the mixture, such that the low molecular weight fluid enters a gas phase and the high molecular weight liquid remains in a liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing the mixture to vaporize the low molecular weight fluid in the vaporization vessel
Implementation Method 3
such that the low molecular weight fluid enters a gas phase and the high molecular weight liquid remains in a liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
A method for drag reducing low molecular weight liquids is provided. More specifically, a method to separate drag reducers from low molecular weight liquids, such as hydrocarbons and anhydrous ammonia, is provided.