Integrated Vessel Pressurization for Low-Downtime Pressure Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require significant downtime for fluid pressure testing due to the need for external hydraulic fluid supply lines, which is inefficient and disrupts normal operations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pressurization unit with a moveable member that can be actuated within a vessel's internal passage to increase or decrease pressure selectively, allowing for efficient pressure control without external lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external hydraulic fluid supply lines are used for pressure testing, then fluid pressure control can be achieved, but significant downtime occurs and normal operations are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hydraulic fluid supply function from external lines and relocates it to an integrated tank and pump system mounted on the BOP housing itself. This eliminates the need for external hydraulic fluid supply lines during pressure testing, enabling autonomous operation and significantly reducing downtime by allowing testing to be performed without disrupting normal well operations.
2Reliability
If external hydraulic fluid supply lines are used for pressure testing, then fluid pressure control can be achieved, but normal operations are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The BOP system performs pressure testing autonomously using its own integrated tank and pump system. The moveable member with fluid inlet/outlet ports can be positioned to connect with internal passages, and the pump draws fluid from the integrated tank to pressurize the system without requiring external equipment or interrupting normal well operations, thereby maintaining high productivity.
3Loss of time
If a moveable member with fluid inlet/outlet ports is used for autonomous pressurization, then downtime is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable member serves multiple functions: it acts as a closure element to isolate internal passages, provides fluid inlet and outlet ports for pressurization, and enables connection between the pump and internal passages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the autonomous capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid inlet and outlet ports are integrated into the moveable member itself, which is nested within the BOP housing. The internal passages are contained within the housing, and the entire pressurization system is nested within the existing BOP structure, creating a compact integrated design that minimizes external additions.
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
Enables efficient and controlled fluid pressure testing with reduced downtime, facilitating autonomous or remote operation and precise pressure management for systems like blowout preventers.
Implementation Method 1
a moveable member that can be actuated within a vessel's internal passage to increase or decrease pressure selectively
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid pressure control systems and methods including a vessel having one or more internal passages configured to sustain a fluid under pressure, a fluid pressurization unit configured to link to the vessel to increase the pressure of a fluid in the internal passage(s). The fluid pressurization unit is configured for selective and repeated pressurization of the fluid in the internal passage(s).