Self-Contained Flowline Protection System for Remote Overpressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high integrity protection systems (HIPS) for flowlines in the oil and gas industry rely on reliable electric power, which is not always available in remote locations, posing a challenge for providing continuous and reliable overpressure protection without electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A fully self-contained, modular Flowline Protection System (FPS) with a novel one-out-of-two voted, fail-safe design that uses redundant pressure sensors and isolation valves, operating independently without external power or connections, to protect flowlines from overpressure and leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional HIPS with electro-hydraulic systems and pressure sensors are used, then overpressure protection can be provided, but the system requires reliable electric power which is not available in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electro-hydraulic control system with a purely mechanical pilot-operated valve system. The pilot valve uses mechanical pressure sensing elements that directly respond to pressure changes and mechanically actuate the main isolation valve through pressure differential, eliminating the need for electrical power while maintaining reliable overpressure protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pilot valve system is self-actuating based on pressure conditions. When overpressure occurs, the pressure sensing mechanism automatically triggers the valve closure without requiring external power sources, control systems, or operator intervention, making the system fully autonomous and suitable for remote locations.
2Reliability
If redundant valves and sensors are used in a one-out-of-two voted design, then the probability of failure is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protection function into two independent parallel channels, each with its own pressure sensor and valve control. This segmentation allows the system to monitor pressure through multiple independent pathways and close valves based on voted logic, reducing failure probability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-out-of-two voted design provides a safety margin by requiring agreement from multiple sensors before triggering valve closure. This beforehand cushioning approach prevents false positives from single sensor failures while ensuring protection activates when truly needed, balancing reliability enhancement with controlled system 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
The FPS provides a low probability of failure and continuous monitoring, ensuring effective protection against overpressure and leaks, even in remote areas, with no need for external power or connections, thereby reducing the risk of pipeline rupture and environmental damage.
Implementation Method 1
senses a pressure differential between an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure and, in response to sensing the pressure differential, automatically closes the isolation valve when the upstream pressure exceeds the downstream pressure by a predetermined amount
Data Source
AI summary
A flowline protection system includes a first and second isolation valve connectable to a fully rated pipeline to prevent the flow of fluid through the fully rated pipeline when either of the isolation valves are in a closed position, interrupting the flow of fluids to a downstream underrated piping system to reduce the risk of overpressure or quantity of hydrocarbon released into the environment in the event of a line break. First and second hydraulic control assemblies each include high and low pressure safety pilot valves. Both the isolation valves return to the closed position if either high pressure safety pilot valve senses an operating pressure greater than a high pressure setting or if either low pressure safety pilot valve senses the operating pressure is less than a low pressure setting. The system is self-contained and free of a connection to any component other than the fully rated pipeline.