Metal-to-Metal Sealing in Well Bore Fluid Injection Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas injection valves in well bores suffer from erosion of sealing surfaces, leading to leakage, reduced performance, and shorter lifetimes, resulting in increased downtime, maintenance, and safety hazards, while also experiencing flow restrictions and pressure losses.
Innovation Solution
A device with a metal-to-metal sealing system, utilizing a pressure differential and a spring-actuated mechanism with a separate fluid chamber to maintain a one-way seal, featuring slots for streamlined flow and a wiper element to prevent particle attachment, reducing erosion and flow restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gas injection valves are used, then fluid injection function is provided, but sealing surface erosion occurs leading to leakage and reduced lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a metal-to-metal sealing system where the seal is formed between a valve element and valve seat, both made of erosion-resistant materials. This composite sealing approach eliminates soft seals that are susceptible to degradation, providing superior erosion resistance and extended valve lifetime in corrosive well environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the valve with a replaceable valve element that can be independently replaced when worn. This allows the main valve body to be retained while only the eroded sealing component is replaced, reducing maintenance costs and downtime compared to replacing entire valve assemblies.
2Loss of energy
If conventional valve designs are used, then basic sealing function is achieved, but flow restrictions and pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates multiple flow ports distributed around the valve element. When the valve is open, these segmented ports collectively provide a large total flow area, reducing flow restrictions and pressure losses while maintaining compact valve dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a three-dimensional flow path design with ports arranged in multiple dimensions around the valve element. This spatial distribution of flow paths maximizes the effective flow area without increasing the valve's external dimensions, thereby reducing pressure losses while maintaining high flow capacity.
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 provides a reliable, low-erosion, and low-pressure-loss fluid injection system with minimal flow disturbances, ensuring reduced downtime and increased safety by maintaining a true metal-to-metal seal and optimizing fluid flow through a direct and tortuous-free path.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure differential across the internal body is assisted by at least one predetermined pressure balanced elastic element to open and close the device
Implementation Method 2
The movement of the internal body may be operated by pressure differential across the internal body. This pressure differential may be a fluid pressure operating on surfaces of the internal body
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention regards a device designed for injection of fluids in a well bore, typically an offshore well bore for petroleum production and gas injection / gas lift system for fluid injection. The device comprises a outer hollow housing (1) with an internal body (2) moveable within the outer housing (1) with an internal bore(3) which in a first closed position is closed with a metal to metal seal system between the outer housing (1) and the internal body (2), which internal body (2) is operated by pressure differential across the internal body (2), where the internal body (2) is designed with slots (4) forming outlets of the internal bore (3) which in an open position of the device is positioned outside of the outer housing (1).