Manifold Assembly with Articulating Arms for Pumping Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manifold assemblies for connecting pumping units to a main line in the hydrocarbon production industry are time-consuming to assemble, prone to wear, and create cluttered and hazardous conditions due to the use of multiple temporary flow lines and swivel joints, which also lead to erosion in isolation valves from pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A manifold assembly with articulating arm assemblies connected to a main line, featuring a connector member with inlet, outlet, and a third port, an articulating conduit assembly, and a riser swivel, allowing for efficient connection of pumping units to a wellhead without the need for separate conduit assemblies and reducing erosion through optimized pressure drop configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If temporary flow lines with multiple swivel joints are used to connect pumping units to the main line, then the flow line can be assembled from compact configurations, but the assembly operation becomes time-consuming and creates cluttered conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The flow line is divided into multiple pre-assembled modular sections that can be stored in compact configurations and quickly connected together at the job site, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining compact stowage capability
Solution Approach 2:
Flow line components are pre-assembled and pre-configured before reaching the job site, so that minimal assembly is required during deployment, significantly reducing on-site assembly time and clutter
2Reliability
If multiple swivel joints are used to provide adequate support for the flow line, then the flow line can be routed from truck to ground to manifold, but the numerous components create cramped and cluttered conditions that pose safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow line sections and support components are merged into integrated modular assemblies that maintain structural support and reliability while reducing the total number of separate components, thereby minimizing clutter and safety hazards
3Stress or pressure
If a fixed orifice choke insert is used to create pressure drop, then pressure pulsations are reduced, but erosion in the isolation valve increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The choke mechanism is changed from a fixed orifice design to an adjustable choke insert that can vary the orifice size and shape, allowing optimization of the pressure drop profile to reduce erosion while maintaining pressure pulsation control
Solution Approach 2:
The choke insert is made adjustable and dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the operator to optimize the choke opening based on operating conditions to minimize erosion while maintaining effective pressure pulsation reduction
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold assembly for connecting a plurality of pumping units to a wellhead includes at least one main line which is connectable to the wellhead and includes a plurality of discharge connectors, and a plurality of articulating arm assemblies which are each connected to a corresponding discharge connector. Each arm assembly comprises a connector member which includes at least an inlet port, an outlet port and a third port that is located generally opposite the outlet port and is closed by a removable plug member, an articulating conduit assembly which comprises a first end that is connected to the inlet port and a second end that is connectable to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumping units, and a riser swivel which is connected between the outlet port and the discharge connector. In use of the manifold assembly, each arm assembly is connected to a corresponding pumping unit and the main line is connected to the wellhead to thereby connect the pumping units to the wellhead.