Horizontal Float Gas Vent for Oil Well Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing gas from liquids in oil wells allow too many oil droplets to escape and do not effectively separate all gas, leading to inaccurate well testing results due to gas remaining with oil and passing through oil meters.
Innovation Solution
The Gas Vent system employs a horizontal float assembly connected to a vertical gas valve assembly, using a buoyant force and pressure to control a plunge valve, allowing gas to escape without releasing petroleum liquids, ensuring accurate separation of gas and liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gas is removed from liquids using previous methods, then gas can be vented, but oil droplets escape with the gas and not all gas is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The gas vent system is divided into distinct functional segments: a float assembly that responds to gas pressure, a valve mechanism controlled by the float, and a separation chamber. This segmentation allows the system to address gas removal and oil retention as separate controlled functions, resolving the contradiction between complete gas removal and preventing oil loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The float acts as an intermediary mechanism between gas pressure and valve control. Instead of directly venting gas which carries oil droplets, the float mediates by converting gas pressure into controlled valve actuation, enabling gas removal while preventing oil escape through the valve.
2Loss of substance
If gas is removed from liquids, then gas can be vented, but not all gas is effectively separated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the gas pressure itself to activate the float and open the valve for gas venting. When gas accumulates and increases pressure, the float automatically rises to open the valve, allowing the gas to escape. This self-service mechanism ensures continuous gas removal without external intervention, achieving complete gas separation while maintaining oil retention through the controlled valve operation.
3Quantity of substance
If a valve is used to control gas flow, then gas can be vented, but oil droplets escape with the gas
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the valve by using float position (controlled by gas pressure) rather than direct mechanical actuation. The float's buoyancy parameter responds to gas pressure changes, automatically adjusting valve opening degree to match gas flow requirements, thereby venting gas effectively while preventing oil droplet escape through precise parameter control.
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
Effectively removes gas from liquids without releasing oil droplets, enabling precise measurement of oil, water, and gas volumes, thereby improving the accuracy of well testing results by ensuring separate metering of each component.
Implementation Method 1
As the horizontal float rises and falls in conjunction with the level of the petroleum liquid, there is resultant buoyant force acting on the horizontal float. Alternatively, the pressure of the gas above the horizontal float forces the horizontal float downward.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the Gas Vent are comprised of a horizontal float assembly, and a vertical gas valve assembly. The horizontal float assembly is connected via a fluid connection to a surge tank or any other connection to the overall gas processing system. The horizontal float assembly is comprised of a housing; a horizontal float; a flange; a sight glass; one or more sight glass valves; a horizontal float lever arm; a vertical valve hinge arm, and a hinge. The housing of the horizontal float assembly is essentially a large hollow process vessel with various openings and fittings formed by the housing to accept the various devices and. The horizontal float is a large, hollow vessel that partially floats on top of any liquid contained within the horizontal float assembly. As the horizontal float rises and falls in conjunction allowing gas to vent as it is accumulated.