Ejector Seal Assembly for Branch Pipe Depressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for depressurizing pipes, especially those under high pressure, often involve environmentally harmful gas flaring or fluid discharge, and lack efficient mechanisms for managing pressure differentials between connected pipes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an ejector assembly within a tee pipe fitting to form a seal between pipes of different pressures, where a nozzle decreases the pressure of a high-pressure fluid to draw a low-pressure fluid from a branch pipe into a main pipe, effectively depressurizing the branch pipe without environmental exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas flaring or fluid discharge methods are used to depressurize pipes, then the depressurization process can be achieved, but environmental contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector assembly acts as an intermediary device between the high-pressure main line and the low-pressure branch line. It uses the high-pressure fluid as a driving medium to create a vacuum effect that draws out the low-pressure fluid, eliminating the need for direct discharge to the environment while maintaining effective depressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic-hydraulic principles through the ejector assembly, utilizing fluid pressure and flow dynamics to create a pressure differential. The high-pressure fluid flowing through the nozzle creates a low-pressure zone in the mixing chamber, enabling the extraction and redirection of low-pressure fluid without environmental discharge.
2Reliability
If a seal is formed between pipes of different pressures, then fluid mixing can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector assembly is nested within the tee pipe fitting structure, with the nozzle, mixing chamber, and seal assembly integrated into the existing pipe configuration. This nested arrangement allows the sealing mechanism to be compact and self-contained, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective fluid flow control between pressure zones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ejector assembly is moved to form a seal, then the seal can be engaged/disengaged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector assembly is designed with movable components that can dynamically engage and disengage the seal with the branch line. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between operational modes (depressurization vs. normal flow) while using relatively simple mechanical movement mechanisms, balancing adaptability with device complexity.
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 approach allows for safe and efficient depressurization of branch pipes by utilizing pressure differentials, preventing environmental contamination and maintaining normal fluid flow operations.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle decreasing a pressure of the first fluid to a third pressure lower than the second pressure, so as to draw the second fluid from the second pipe into the mixing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A method for depressurizing a pipe includes forming, by an ejector assembly, a seal between a first pipe and a second pipe fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting. The first pipe flows a first fluid at a first pressure, and the second pipe flows a second fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The ejector assembly includes a nozzle converging along a flow direction of the first fluid flowing in the first pipe, and a mixing chamber at an outlet of the nozzle, the mixing chamber comprising an outlet is in fluid communication with the second pipe. The method also includes flowing the first fluid from the first pipe into the ejector assembly through the nozzle so that the pressure of the first fluid decreases to a third pressure lower than the second pressure to draw the second fluid into the mixing chamber.