Drilling Mud Flow Line Fitting With Suction and Retaining Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and gas well drilling mud adheres to pipe surfaces, reducing flow rates due to caked-on material, and existing methods lack a safe and efficient way to clean and inspect flow lines.
Innovation Solution
A specially configured fitting with a main flow channel, branch flow channel, and movable doors allows for the insertion of cleaning tools and cameras, enabling safe cleaning and inspection by preventing backward travel of cleaning tools and facilitating continuous suction of debris and cleaning fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drilling mud is allowed to accumulate on pipe surfaces, then the pipe can operate continuously without interruption, but the flow rate decreases due to reduced effective inside diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables preliminary cleaning action by providing a fitting that allows cleaning tools to be inserted into the flow line during operation or during shutdown periods. The fitting includes an opening that accommodates cleaning tools and cables, enabling the cleaning operation to be performed before the accumulated mud significantly impacts flow rate, thus preventing the harmful effect rather than just responding to it.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cleaning tools are inserted into the flow line for cleaning, then the drilling mud and debris can be removed, but there is a safety hazard of tool escape causing injury to workers
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting incorporates a safety mechanism that provides beforehand protection against tool escape. The opening is designed with specific dimensions and may include retaining features that prevent the cleaning tool from being propelled outward during operation. This prior cushioning measure eliminates the safety hazard of tool escape while still allowing the cleaning function to be performed effectively.
3Ease of operation
If a fitting with large opening is used to insert cleaning tools, then tool insertion is easier, but the cleaning tool can escape backward causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting opening is designed with non-uniform characteristics - it has sufficient size to allow easy insertion of cleaning tools and inspection cameras, but incorporates localized features such as reduced sections, retaining lips, or asymmetric geometry that prevent backward escape of tools. This local quality differentiation allows the opening to serve dual purposes: facilitating easy insertion while providing safety against tool escape.
4Productivity
If the flow line is cleaned frequently to maintain flow rate, then productivity is maintained, but the time and resources required for cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting enables self-service cleaning capabilities by allowing cleaning tools to be easily inserted and operated within the flow line. The design facilitates autonomous or minimally-assisted cleaning operations where the cleaning system can be deployed quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and resources required for each cleaning cycle while maintaining productivity through regular cleaning.
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 solution effectively removes drilling mud and debris while ensuring worker safety by preventing tool escape and continuously removing cleaning fluid and debris, allowing for post-cleaning inspection of flow lines.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning tool preferably jets fluid to the inner surface of the flow line for cleaning away drilling mud, scale, debris and the like from the inner surface of the flow line
Implementation Method 2
A suction to which is preferably attached to the branch line and can be used for removing cleaning fluid and debris continuously
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having an inner surface. The method includes affixing a fitting to the flow line, the fitting having a main flow channel and a branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flow channel. A first end portion of the fitting can have an attachment that enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line end portion. A second end portion of the fitting can have one or more doors that can be moved between opened and closed positions, the door or doors providing an opening that is not closed when the doors are in the closed position. A suction line can be connected to the branch flow channel. A cleaning tool can be guided first into the fitting and then into the flow line using a fluid carrying cable. The cleaning tool and jetting fluid can be used to clean drilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line. The jetting fluid can be removed via the branch flow channel using the suction line. The cable can extend through the door opening or openings when the door or doors are in the closed position. A camera can be guided into the flow line using a camera cable wherein the camera cable extends through the door opening or openings. The cleaning tool is preferably too small to fit through the door opening.