Remote Manifold Valve Pairing Using Fluid Flow Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of high-pressure manifold systems in oilfields makes it challenging for personnel to safely and accurately identify and operate valves, leading to potential hazards and equipment damage during stimulation operations.
Innovation Solution
A method of remotely pairing high and low-pressure valves with individual pumps using fluid-based detection, where all high-pressure valves are opened first, followed by sequential opening of low-pressure valves, allowing for real-time fluid flow monitoring to identify correct pairings and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If personnel manually access and operate valves at the manifold, then valve operation can be performed, but safety risks increase and identification accuracy decreases due to the complex web of tubing and hazardous high pressure zone
Solution Approach 1:
A remote pairing system serves as an intermediary between personnel and the manifold valves. The system uses fluid-based detection technology to automatically identify and pair pumps with their corresponding manifold stations, allowing operators to control valves remotely without physically accessing the hazardous high-pressure zone. This eliminates direct human exposure to dangerous conditions while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve operation with an automated electronic system. Instead of personnel physically locating and operating valves amidst a complex web of tubing, the system uses fluid flow detection, electronic signaling, and automated control mechanisms to identify pump-manifold pairings and operate valves remotely, substituting mechanical human intervention with an automated control system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the manifold includes multiple stations with multiple valves each, then system functionality and flexibility increase, but system complexity and difficulty of identification increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where fluid flow detection provides real-time information about which pump is connected to which manifold station. As valves are opened or closed, the system detects changes in fluid flow patterns and uses this feedback to automatically update the pairing information, allowing the complex multi-station manifold system to self-identify and self-manage its connections without requiring manual tracking of each valve and tubing line.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold system performs self-identification and self-pairing through automated fluid-based detection. Instead of requiring external personnel to manually trace and identify connections through the complex web of tubing, the system uses its own fluid flow characteristics to automatically determine which pumps are connected to which stations, making the complex system self-managing and reducing operational burden.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If remote valve control is implemented, then personnel safety improves, but accurate identification of correct valves becomes more challenging without proper pairing information
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses fluid flow detection to provide real-time feedback about pump-manifold connections. When a valve is opened or closed remotely, the system detects the resulting fluid flow changes and uses this information to confirm which pump corresponds to which manifold station, ensuring accurate identification even though personnel are not physically present at the manifold location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual identification and physical tracing of tubing with an automated electronic detection system. The fluid-based detection technology substitutes for human senses and manual investigation, automatically identifying correct valve-pump pairings through electronic signals and fluid flow measurement, thereby maintaining identification accuracy while enabling remote safe operation.
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
This method significantly reduces the time and complexity of valve pairing, ensuring accurate identification and operation, thereby enhancing safety and preventing costly shutdowns by ensuring correct valve closure during pump operations.
Implementation Method 1
A method of remotely pairing high and low pressure valves at a manifold with pumps of a multi-pump system includes opening all high pressure valves of the manifold and then sequentially opening low pressure valves at the manifold. As a responsive fluid-based detection, such as fluid flow, presents in a pump of the multi-pump system, it may be recorded as identifying a pairing between that pump and the correspondingly opened low pressure valve.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for remote pairing of pumps and manifold valves at an oilfield. The technique takes advantage of a control unit having remote capability of opening and closing manifold valves. The control unit may also be in simultaneous communication with an individual sensor for each pump. Thus, unique protocols of valve opening and closing at the manifold in conjunction with monitoring of fluid-based detections by the unit may be used to establish pairing between specific pumps and manifold valves. Similarly, the system may also be inspected for leaks at particular locations through unique valve opening and closing sequences in conjunction with fluid monitoring.