Modular Hydrocracking Skid Valves for In-Place Leg Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow devices in severe service applications suffer from premature failure due to thermal and pressure shocks, contaminant buildup, and require unnecessary downtime when one leg is disabled for maintenance, as current skid arrangements necessitate replacing the entire multiport valve.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular skid arrangements with compact, pre-assembled configurations that include clamped connectors, integrated reducers, and adaptable valve configurations, allowing selective isolation of a control valve for maintenance while maintaining fluid flow through alternate paths, thereby reducing thermal stress and enabling in-place servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a multiport valve is used to integrate multiple severe service valves in a single component, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair deteriorates because the entire valve must be replaced when one leg requires maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The multiport valve is divided into separate individual severe service valves for each leg, allowing independent access and replacement of each valve without affecting the others. This segmentation enables maintenance of a single valve while leaving the rest of the system operational.
Solution Approach 2:
Each severe service valve is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the integrated multiport valve design. This allows individual valves to be removed and replaced independently when maintenance is needed on a specific leg.
2Reliability
If redundant fluid flow paths are provided for severe service applications, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple valves and pathways
Solution Approach 1:
Each leg of the redundant pathway is equipped with identical severe service valves that can independently control fluid flow. This universal design allows any leg to serve as a backup for another, providing reliability while maintaining consistent, manageable complexity across the system.
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-assembled skid configurations are used for severe service applications, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when site-specific modifications are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The skid is divided into modular sections with standardized severe service valves and components that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows pre-assembly of standard modules while enabling flexible adaptation at the site level through modular reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The skid arrangement incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow modification of fluid pathways and valve configurations to match specific site requirements, while maintaining the benefits of pre-assembled standard modules.
Data Source
AI summary
Modular skids for severe service applications, and fluid flow device arrangements (modules) for use therein are described. The modular skids and/or the described modules provide for skids that are at least one of, more compact, less costly, less heavy, more serviceable and/or provides for more uptime of the skid than conventional skids.