Flapper Valve Scale Mitigation via Wiper and Sleeve

Solution Overview

Problem

Mineral scale buildup on subsurface safety valves prevents proper operation by obstructing the movement of flow tubes, necessitating costly wireline brush cleaning that halts production operations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a wiper member with scale-dissolving material on the flow tube to physically wipe and chemically dissolve scale buildup, and using a sleeve within the valve housing to prevent deposition and maintain a smooth surface, thereby ensuring valve operation despite scale accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireline brush cleaning is used to remove scale buildup, then the valve can be cleaned, but production operations must be stopped which increases loss of time and productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidproduction interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper member is installed on the flow tube before deployment into the wellbore. It continuously wipes the interior surface of the valve housing as the flow tube moves, preventing scale buildup before it can obstruct valve operation. This preliminary preventive action eliminates the need for later cleaning interventions that would require production shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wiper member performs self-cleaning of the valve housing during normal valve operation. As the flow tube moves axially during valve actuation, the wiper member automatically contacts and wipes the interior surface, removing scale deposits without requiring external intervention or production interruption. The system cleans itself during its normal operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If wireline brush cleaning is used to remove scale buildup, then the valve can be cleaned, but maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper member performs self-cleaning of the valve housing during normal valve operation. As the flow tube moves axially during valve actuation, the wiper member automatically contacts and wipes the interior surface, removing scale deposits without requiring external intervention or production interruption. The system cleans itself during its normal operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wiper member provides continuous cleaning action during every valve operation cycle. Rather than requiring periodic shutdowns for cleaning, the useful cleaning action occurs continuously whenever the valve operates, integrating maintenance into normal operational cycles and eliminating separate maintenance interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If scale buildup occurs on the interior surface above the flow tube, then the valve housing accumulates deposits, but the flow tube movement is obstructed preventing valve closure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale buildup amountVSAvoidflow tube axial movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper member acts as an intermediary between the flow tube and the interior surface of the valve housing. It contacts the interior surface and removes scale deposits, preventing direct obstruction of the flow tube's axial movement. The wiper member mediates the interaction between moving and stationary components, eliminating the harmful effect of scale buildup on valve operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the interior surface of the valve housing is exposed to wellbore fluids, then scale deposits form on the surface, but the surface becomes rough and promotes further scale deposition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale deposition tendencyVSAvoidsurface smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper member is installed on the flow tube before deployment into the wellbore. It continuously wipes the interior surface of the valve housing as the flow tube moves, preventing scale buildup before it can obstruct valve operation. This preliminary preventive action eliminates the need for later cleaning interventions that would require production shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The wiper member provides continuous cleaning action during every valve operation cycle. Rather than requiring periodic shutdowns for cleaning, the useful cleaning action occurs continuously whenever the valve operates, integrating maintenance into normal operational cycles and eliminating separate maintenance interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 wiper member and sleeve solutions allow for continuous operation of subsurface safety valves by preventing and removing scale buildup, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring timely emergency closure without production interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

the wiper member contains or is formed of a scale dissolving material that helps to dissolve and remove the scale buildup from the interior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS7896082B2Methods and apparatus for negating mineral scale buildup in flapper valves

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

Methods and devices for negating scale buildups on interior surfaces of a sliding sleeve valve housing above the flow tube. In some aspects, a wiper member provides additional clearance between the flow tube and housing to compensate for scale buildup. In other aspects, the interior surface of the valve housing is provided with a sleeve that is disposed between the interior surface of the valve housing and the general flowbore passing through the valve housing to protect the interior surface against scale buildup.