Multi-port Injection System with Fluid Return Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate measurement of fluid volumes injected into individual and multiple injection ports is challenging due to excess fluid and pressure variations, leading to measurement errors in the oil and gas industry, especially when ports have different pressure requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port injection system with a holding tank, measuring tubes, port valves, a pump, fluid return valve, sensors, and a control unit that manages fluid injection cycles, returns excess fluid, and adjusts based on pressure sensors to ensure accurate volume determination across ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common manifold is used to supply fluid to multiple injection ports, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of injected fluid volume deteriorates due to excess fluid remaining in the manifold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the excess fluid that remains in the manifold after injection by introducing a return line that connects the manifold back to the measuring device. This allows the system to separate and remove the un.injected fluid from the measurement path, enabling accurate volume measurement by measuring only the fluid that actually enters the injection port.
2Adaptability or versatility
If injection ports operate at different pressures, then adaptability to various injection requirements is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to pressure variations affecting fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure in the manifold and using this information to control the operation of the return valve. The system measures the actual pressure conditions and adjusts the fluid return process accordingly, compensating for pressure variations and maintaining accurate volume measurements across different injection pressure requirements.
3Ease of operation
If excess fluid remains in the manifold after injection, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inclusion of uninject ed fluid in volume measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of excess fluid accumulation by introducing a return line that actively removes uninject ed fluid from the manifold back to the measuring device. This extraction mechanism allows the system to maintain ease of continuous operation while preventing measurement errors by separating excess fluid from the measurement path.
4Productivity
If residual pressure remains in the manifold after injection, then ease of operation is improved for rapid cycle operation, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unintended fluid flow to subsequent ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a return valve as an intermediary component that controls the discharge of excess fluid from the manifold. This mediator allows the system to maintain residual pressure for rapid cycling while preventing unintended fluid flow to subsequent injection ports by providing a controlled path for excess fluid to return to the measuring device.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port injection system for injecting fluid into a plurality of fluid injection ports during a plurality of fluid injection cycles. The system provides highly accurate measurement of the volume of fluid injected into each injection port during each fluid injection cycle. The system generally includes a fluid holding tank, measuring tubes, a pump, a plurality of port valves coupled to the fluid injection ports, a fluid return valve, volume sensors, and a control unit. During a fluid injection cycle the control unit causes a portion of fluid to be pumped from a measuring tube to a port valve. After each fluid injection cycle, the control unit causes the fluid return valve to return the portion of fluid that was not injected to the measuring tube before the volume of fluid injected is measured.