Flexible Fracturing Pipe With Removable Liner for Vibration and Erosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rigid pipes used in well fracture systems face issues such as misalignment, vulnerability to vibrations, increased space requirements, complex assembly, susceptibility to leaks and erosion, and frequent replacement due to damage from corrosive and erosive fluids.
Innovation Solution
Flexible piping systems with a removable internal liner, comprising multiple outer layers and a primary liner, along with an annulus for monitoring liner integrity, which can withstand high pressures and be easily replaced, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If rigid pipes are connected along direct paths, then assembly time and space requirements are reduced, but the pipes become vulnerable to vibrations and misalignment between equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid pipes with flexible hoses that can accommodate misalignment and vibration without requiring complex angular connections. The flexible nature of the hose allows it to bend and adapt to equipment movement, eliminating the need for multiple rigid pipe segments and joints while maintaining connection reliability under vibrational conditions.
2Reliability
If rigid pipes are connected along redundant, angular paths, then vibration resistance is improved, but assembly complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose eliminates the need for redundant angular paths by directly connecting equipment along the shortest practical path. The hose's flexibility provides the necessary vibration resistance without requiring multiple bends, joints, or complex routing, thereby simplifying the overall connection architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rigid pipes are joined together to connect misaligned equipment, then misalignment compensation is achieved, but the number of leak points and failure risks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose provides misalignment compensation through its inherent flexibility, allowing it to bend and conform to offset connections between equipment. This eliminates the need for multiple rigid pipe segments and joints, thereby reducing the number of potential leak points and failure risks while maintaining adaptability to misaligned equipment.
4Area of stationary object
If small diameter rigid pipes are used, then space requirements are reduced, but multiple flow paths are necessary increasing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose maintains a compact profile suitable for small diameter applications while providing a single, simple flow path. The hose can be routed directly between equipment without requiring multiple parallel paths or complex branching, thereby reducing assembly complexity while occupying minimal space.
5Adaptability or versatility
If rigid pipes with numerous bends and angles are used, then misalignment and vibration are accommodated, but erosion susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose accommodates misalignment through its ability to bend and conform to equipment positioning without requiring sharp angles or multiple bends. The smooth, continuous interior surface of the hose minimizes turbulence and erosive flow patterns, thereby reducing susceptibility to erosion from particulate-laden fluids while maintaining adaptability to misaligned connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible pipe includes one or more outer layers, a primary liner disposed internal to the one or more outer layers, and a removable liner disposed internal to the primary liner. Additionally, a flexible piping system includes the flexible pipe with a first end and a second end. Further, an annulus is disposed between the primary liner and the removable liner. Furthermore, a pressure port is provided and extends from the annulus to an outer surface of the flexible piping system. An end fitting is disposed at the first end of the flexible pipe.