Flow Meter Check Valve for Precise Low-Flow Chemical Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring and controlling the injection rate of fluids in production streams, such as those used in the oil & gas industry, are imprecise and prone to errors due to large supply tank measurements and pump inefficiencies, leading to inaccurate delivery of chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter check valve integrated with a reciprocating pump to measure fluid volume by tracking the travel of a float within a conical sleeve using electromagnetic transducers, allowing real-time monitoring and control of fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If supply tank measurement methods are used to monitor injection rate, then the system is simple to operate, but measurement precision deteriorates due to large supply tank size relative to injected fluid quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the large supply tank and relocates it to a compact flow meter check valve assembly. By measuring fluid volume at the valve level rather than in the large tank, the system achieves precise measurement of small injected volumes while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter check valve acts as an intermediary measurement device between the supply tank and the injection point. It provides accurate volumetric measurement of the small quantities being injected without requiring measurement of the large supply tank volume.
2Device complexity
If stroke counting methods are used to control injection rate, then the device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to pump inefficiencies and fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter check valve provides real-time feedback on actual fluid volume delivered by the pump. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor and verify injection rates, compensating for pump inefficiencies, air-locking, and seal leakage that would otherwise go undetected in simple stroke counting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the purely mechanical stroke counting method with a measurement system that uses electromagnetic transducers to detect float position and calculate fluid volume. This substitution provides more reliable measurement that is not affected by mechanical pump issues.
3Device complexity
If conventional check valves are used without measurement capabilities, then the device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision is lost entirely
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of a conventional check valve with a flow measurement system into a single integrated assembly. The float mechanism that provides check valve functionality also serves as the measurement element, allowing precise volumetric measurement without adding separate complex measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The float in the flow meter check valve performs multiple functions: it prevents backflow (check valve function) and simultaneously measures fluid volume through its vertical displacement. This multi-functionality achieves precise measurement while minimizing 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
Provides precise, real-time measurement and control of fluid delivery, minimizing errors and ensuring accurate injection rates, even in low-flow scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the transducer comprises at least one coil. According to some embodiments, the at least one coil comprises a generator coil configured to generate an electromagnetic field within the valve.
Implementation Method 2
the stem comprises a magnetic material on at least a portion of the stem. According to some embodiments, the transducer further comprises a sense coil configured so that the time-varying change induces a current in the sense coil.
Implementation Method 3
a float configured to isolate the inlet from the valve body during a suction stroke of the piston and to open during a delivery stroke of the piston to allow fluid to flow through the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter check valve is described. The flow meter check valve can be connected to the discharge side of a reciprocating action fluid pump to monitor, analyze, calculate and be used to control the flow of liquid through the pump. Embodiments of the flow meter check valve combine aspects of a backflow check valve with the metering capability of a rotameter variable area flow device. The flow meter check valve features a tapered tube and a float. The position of the float within the tube is proportional to the forward fluid flow rate. A valve stem with a marker is attached to the float so that it moves in a direct linear motion proportional to the volume of fluid delivered. The position of the marker is detected by an external sensing mechanism.