Expandable Pipeline Flow Control for Low-Rate Corrosion Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon pipelines are prone to corrosion due to stagnant fluid flow and the presence of water, which accelerates corrosion during low production periods, leading to potential shutdowns and reduced production rates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating inflatable flow control devices within the pipelines that can be expanded inwardly to reduce the cross-sectional area, increasing fluid velocity and reducing stagnation, thereby minimizing corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the pipeline operates at low production rates, then energy consumption is reduced, but fluid stagnation occurs leading to increased corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device employs an expandable element that can dynamically adjust the internal cross-sectional area of the pipeline. During low production periods, the element expands to reduce the flow area and increase fluid velocity, preventing stagnation and corrosion. During high production periods, it retracts to minimize resistance and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the pipeline's internal cross-sectional area by deploying an expandable element. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to varying production rates, maintaining optimal flow velocity to prevent corrosion during low production while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pipeline is shut down to prevent corrosion, then corrosion risk is reduced, but production rates decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than shutting down the pipeline, the system dynamically adjusts the flow control device to maintain protective flow velocities during low production periods. This dynamic adjustment allows continuous operation and production while preventing corrosion, eliminating the need for shutdowns.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the expandable element is deployed to increase flow velocity, then corrosion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable element is constructed as a flexible, collapsible structure that can be easily deployed and retracted. This flexible shell design simplifies the overall device complexity compared to rigid mechanical flow control systems, while still achieving the desired flow velocity increase to prevent corrosion.
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 fluid flow velocity, reduces stagnation, and decreases the risk of corrosion, maintaining production efficiency and avoiding costly pipeline replacements.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable element defines at least a portion of a flow path to control a flow of fluid through the conduit... the expandable element expands inwardly from the interior surface... increasing fluid velocity
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control system includes a conduit having an interior surface, and a flow control device connected to the interior surface of the conduit and disposed along the interior surface of the conduit for a first length. The flow control device includes an expandable element that expands inwardly from the interior surface, from a retracted position to an expanded position. The expandable element defines at least a portion of a flow path configured to control a flow of fluid through the conduit.