Modular Valve Block Manifold for Flexible Subsea Flow Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea manifolds face challenges such as high engineering costs, weight, complexity in design and fabrication, and limited versatility in routing fluid flows due to bespoke requirements, leading to long lead times and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular, compact valve block body with V-shaped fluid communication passageways and integrated valves allows for flexible fluid flow direction control, reducing the need for extensive welding and enabling lighter, more versatile subsea structures by using modular block assemblies and standardized components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bespoke manifold designs are used to meet specific application requirements, then the manifold can be customized for particular pipeline and header requirements, but engineering costs and lead times increase significantly due to repeat engineering effort and sourcing from multiple sub-suppliers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized manifold header that can serve multiple functions and configurations. The header is designed with universal connection points and standardized dimensions that allow it to work with different pipeline requirements without requiring custom fabrication. This enables a single design to meet diverse application needs while avoiding repeat engineering effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the manifold system into standardized modular components including the header, connections, and support structures. This segmentation allows for pre-engineering of individual components that can be assembled in different configurations to meet specific application requirements, reducing the need for complete custom fabrication while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If manifold headers are sized to meet pipeline internal bore requirements with pigging capabilities, then the headers can maintain bores in satisfactory condition, but the size and bore are dictated by pipeline design requirements making it difficult to pre-engineer headers in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-engineering the header with integrated pigging capabilities and standardized bore dimensions during the design phase. The header is designed in advance with built-in features for pig passage and bore maintenance, eliminating the need for field modifications or custom sizing based on specific pipeline requirements. This allows headers to be pre-fabricated and stored for rapid deployment.
3Device complexity
If headers are incorporated into a block of material to reduce assembly complexity, then some advantages are provided, but cost and weight significantly increase particularly when minimum bend requirements for pigging are considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manifold into a modular assembly of the header, support structure, and connection components rather than fabricating everything as a single integrated block. This segmentation reduces material usage and weight while maintaining structural integrity. The modular approach allows for optimized fabrication of each component separately and easier assembly in the field.
4Ease of manufacture
If significant numbers of weld points are required to connect inlets and outlets with headers, then various components can be connected together, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly while creating potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the header connections with the support structure by designing the header to be integrally formed with or directly attached to the support framework. This merging reduces the number of separate welding operations required by combining multiple connection points into unified structural elements, thereby reducing assembly time and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal connection features on the header that can accommodate multiple inlet and outlet configurations without requiring additional welding. The standardized connection points serve multiple purposes and can be adapted to different pipeline arrangements through configuration rather than fabrication, reducing on-site assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A rigid valve block body and a method for determining fluid flow direction are disclosed. The valve block body includes a first fluid inlet and a further fluid inlet at opposed sides of a rigid valve block body. A first fluid outlet of the valve block body and a further fluid outlet of the valve block body are disposed in a spaced apart relationship. A first V-shaped fluid communication passageway comprises two passageway portions each extending within the valve block body from a first common root region proximate to the first fluid inlet. A further V-shaped fluid communication passageway comprises two further passageway portions each extending within the valve block body away from a further common root region proximate to the further fluid port. An end region of each passageway portion of the first V-shaped fluid communication passageway meets an end region of a respective passageway portion of the further V-shaped fluid communication passageway proximate to a respective fluid outlet.