Internal Blow Out Preventer With Nested Valve Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal Blow Out Preventers (IBOPs) experience reduced service life and leakage issues due to increased wear from mud saving operations, leading to premature rig downtime and frequent seal replacements, and existing solutions require additional space in the drill stem which is often unavailable.
Innovation Solution
An internal blow out preventer with an additional inner valve closure element that operates independently of the outer valve closure element, allowing for mud saving without compromising sealing performance and without the need for additional drill stem length, featuring a separable outer valve closure element and a rotatable inner valve closure element that maintains flow area equivalence to the outer element, reducing seal wear and allowing for acceptable small leaks during mud saving operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the IBOP valve is used as a mud saver to prevent spillage during disconnection, then drilling fluid spillage is prevented, but seal wear increases leading to reduced service life and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve closure element is divided into an outer valve closure element and an inner valve closure element. The inner element handles mud saving operations while the outer element maintains primary sealing, separating the wear-inducing function from the sealing function to extend seal service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner valve closure element is positioned inside the outer valve closure element, with the inner element having a diameter smaller than the outer element. This nested configuration allows the inner element to perform mud saving operations while the outer element preserves the primary sealing interface.
2Reliability
If two individual valves are used to solve seal wear problems, then sealing performance is maintained, but additional space in the drill stem is required which is not always available
Solution Approach 1:
Two valve closure elements (inner and outer) are merged into a single integrated valve body, combining the functions of mud saving and primary sealing in one component rather than requiring two separate valves, thus saving space in the drill stem.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner valve closure element is nested within the outer valve closure element, allowing both sealing functions to coexist in a compact configuration that fits within the existing drill stem dimensions without requiring additional space.
3Volume of moving object
If the inner valve closure element is made smaller to fit inside the outer element, then space constraints are satisfied, but flow area is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The inner valve closure element is designed to be rotatable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. When rotated to an open position, it allows full flow through the valve, compensating for its smaller size and maintaining adequate flow area during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal blow out preventer for use in a drill string, comprising a housing having an outer valve closure element and where the outer valve closure element is configured to be moved between an open and a closed position, wherein the outer valve closure element is provided with an inner valve closure element that is configured to be moved between an open and a closed position inside the outer valve closure element.