Automated Pig Launcher Flow Blocking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automated pig launchers face challenges in preventing flow blocking in pipelines during the modulation of the mainline bypass valve, which can disrupt product flow, especially when gravity assistance is not used for launching pigs.
Innovation Solution
A flow assurance system and method that uses computer-executable instructions to monitor and control valve states, including querying valve indicators, calculating differential pressures, and modulating valves to prevent undesirable flow disruptions, ensuring the system integrates with existing automated launchers and prevents pipeline blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the mainline bypass valve is modulated to create differential pressure for pig launch, then pig launch capability is improved, but product flow in the pipeline may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the states of the mainline bypass valve, kicker valve, and isolation valve, and automatically adjusts the mainline bypass valve position based on the combined states of the other valves to prevent flow blocking while enabling pig launch when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the pig launch function (mainline bypass valve modulation) and the product flow continuity requirement, using valve state logic to mediate conflicts and prevent harmful flow blocking
2Force
If the mainline bypass valve is closed or partially closed during pig launch, then pig acceleration is improved, but pipeline product flow is reduced or blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mainline bypass valve position based on real-time valve states, allowing the valve to be closed or partially closed only when the kicker and isolation valves are open (during pig launch), and automatically reopening when those valves close to restore product flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the mainline bypass valve (position, opening degree) based on the operational phase (pig launch vs. normal product flow), using conditional logic to switch between different valve positions that optimize either pig acceleration or product flow
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 system effectively prevents flow blocking and ensures adequate pipeline product flow by verifying valve states and pressure differentials, allowing for a broader range of automated pig launching options and integrating with existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the pig must experience an adequate pressure differential across the pig body
Implementation Method 2
Gravity assistance can be used to move the pig into a position to better accomplish this
Data Source
AI summary
A flow assurance system and method includes procedures to query current valve states and determine the likely effect of new valve states on product flow when using an automated pig launcher. The system and method allows for modulating the mainline bypass valve, kicker valve, and isolation valve between fully opened and fully closed states; prevents flow blocking of the pipeline during this modulation; enables new and different, as well as a broader range of, pig launching options for an automatic pig launcher; and integrates with existing automatic pig launchers.