Drilling Mud Flow Line Fitting for Safe Cleaning and Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and gas well drilling mud adheres to pipe surfaces, reducing flow rates due to caked-on material, and existing methods lack a safe and efficient means to clean and inspect flow lines.
Innovation Solution
A specially configured fitting with a main flow channel, branch flow channel, and movable doors allows for the insertion of cleaning tools and cameras, enabling safe cleaning and inspection by preventing the backward travel of cleaning tools and allowing for continuous suction of debris and cleaning fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drilling mud is allowed to accumulate on pipe surfaces, then flow rates are maintained initially, but eventually flow rates decrease due to caked-on material reducing effective inside diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by continuously or periodically removing drilling mud before it accumulates to problematic levels. The cleaning tool is fed through the flow line to proactively maintain cleanliness and prevent flow rate degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is designed to be continuous or recurring, with the cleaning tool passing through the flow line to continuously remove accumulated drilling mud, ensuring flow rates are maintained without interruption to overall operations.
2Reliability
If cleaning tools are inserted into flow lines to remove drilling mud, then flow line cleanliness is improved, but there is risk of tool escape causing injury to workers
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is segmented into multiple sections including a containment chamber and a sealed discharge section. This segmentation allows the cleaning tool to be contained within the fitting during operation, preventing escape while allowing controlled removal of cleaning fluid and debris through the sealed section.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting acts as an intermediary device between the cleaning tool and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface that contains the cleaning tool during operation while allowing safe removal of cleaning fluid and debris, thus mediating between the cleaning function and worker safety.
3Reliability
If cleaning fluid is used to clean flow lines, then drilling mud and debris are removed effectively, but cleaning fluid and debris need continuous removal to maintain effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the cleaning fluid delivery function with the debris removal function into a single integrated fitting. The containment chamber receives both cleaning fluid and debris, and the sealed discharge section handles both together, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting enables self-service by allowing the cleaning process to generate its own removal mechanism. The pressurized cleaning fluid naturally carries debris to the discharge section, where the sealed design allows automatic removal without additional complex equipment.
4Measurement precision
If inspection is performed before and after cleaning, then flow line condition is monitored, but requiring separate inspection equipment and procedures increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is designed as a universal device that serves multiple functions: cleaning tool containment, debris removal, and inspection facilitation. The same containment chamber and discharge section used for cleaning operations also accommodate inspection equipment, eliminating the need for separate inspection infrastructure.
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
The solution effectively removes drilling mud and debris while ensuring worker safety by preventing tool escape and facilitating continuous removal of cleaning fluid and debris, allowing for post-cleaning inspection of flow lines.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning tool preferably jets fluid to the inner surface of the flow line for cleaning away drilling mud, scale, debris and the like from the inner surface of the flow line
Implementation Method 2
A suction to which is preferably attached to the branch line and can be used for removing cleaning fluid and debris continuously
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having an inner surface. The method includes affixing a fitting to the flow line, the fitting having a main flow channel and a branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flow channel. A first end portion of the fitting can have an attachment that enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line end portion. A second end portion of the fitting can have one or more doors that can be moved between opened and closed positions, the door or doors providing an opening that is not closed when the doors are in the closed position. A suction line can be connected to the branch flow channel. A cleaning tool can be guided first into the fitting and then into the flow line using a fluid carrying cable. The cleaning tool and jetting fluid can be used to clean drilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line. The jetting fluid can be removed via the branch flow channel using the suction line. The cable can extend through the door opening or openings when the door or doors are in the closed position. A camera can be guided into the flow line using a camera cable wherein the camera cable extends through the door opening or openings. The cleaning tool is preferably too small to fit through the door opening.