Injection Valve Check Valve Layout for Fluid-Induced Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Injection valves in the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries face degradation due to exposure to injection fluids, leading to reduced useful life, as they are not designed to withstand the degradative effects of these fluids, limiting their operational longevity.

Innovation Solution

An injection valve design featuring a housing with a fluid channel and a check valve that moves in the opposite direction of fluid flow, utilizing a stem seal and weight configuration to open and close, with optional biasing mechanisms to ensure proper operation, protecting the valve components from direct fluid contact and enhancing longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional injection valve is used, then the valve can prevent backflow of injection fluid, but the valve components suffer degradation from direct fluid contact, reducing useful life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve functionalityVSAvoiduseful life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into separate functional components: a check valve element for backflow prevention and a stem seal for fluid sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and replaced separately, extending overall valve life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A stem seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the injection fluid and the check valve stem. The seal prevents direct fluid contact with the stem, eliminating degradation from fluid exposure while maintaining sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the check valve moves in the direction of fluid flow, then the valve structure is simpler, but the valve components experience increased wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve structureVSAvoidoperational longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve element is designed to move opposite to the direction of injection fluid flow. This inversion causes the fluid pressure to naturally close the valve by pushing the check valve element against the seat, reducing wear on sealing surfaces while maintaining effective backflow prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The injection fluid pressure, which would normally force the valve open, is instead utilized to close the valve. The fluid pressure acts on the check valve element to push it against the seat, converting the harmful effect of fluid pressure into a beneficial self-closing mechanism that reduces wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If the valve lacks a biasing mechanism, then the device is simpler, but the valve may not maintain proper operation under varying pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve mechanismVSAvoidoperational consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A spring biasing mechanism provides a counteracting force to balance the injection fluid pressure. The spring ensures the check valve element remains properly positioned against the seat under varying pressure conditions, maintaining reliable sealing without adding complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring constant and pre-compression of the biasing spring can be adjusted to match different operating pressure ranges. This parameter adjustment allows the valve to maintain consistent operation across varying injection pressures without requiring complex electronic controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 extends the operational life of injection valves by allowing the check valve to move opposite to the fluid flow direction, reducing wear and tear, and incorporating biasing mechanisms to maintain the valve in the open position as long as pressure exceeds spring force, thus ensuring efficient and prolonged operation.

Implementation Method 1

responsive to fluid pressure in the channel to move the check valve in a direction opposite the direction of fluid flow through the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

maintain the valve in the open position as long as pressure exceeds spring force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11920429B2Injection valve, method and system

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

An injection valve including a housing, a fluid channel in the housing, and a check valve disposed in the housing and responsive to fluid pressure in the channel to move the check valve in a direction opposite the direction of fluid flow through the channel. A method for injecting fluid into a volume including pressurizing a fluid to be injected, conveying the pressurized fluid to a space about a check valve between a check valve nose and a stem seal; and moving the check valve in a direction opposite a direction of injection fluid flow. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed within the borehole, and an injection valve disposed within or as a part of the string.