Pin Release Thermal Valve for Oil and Gas Flame Arrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal valves in oil and gas environments can generate turbulence, leading to potentially catastrophic detonations when flammable gases flow back towards storage tanks, and existing flame arrestors have limited effectiveness and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A pin-release thermal valve with a fusible element and valve assembly that allows smooth fluid flow by maintaining a clear path until the fusible element melts, triggering the valve to close and restrict flow, reducing turbulence and detonation risks, and is designed for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermal valves are used to restrict backwards propagation of gases, then flame propagation is limited, but turbulence is generated leading to detonation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body incorporates curved flow paths and rounded transitions instead of sharp angles or abrupt changes. The inlet and outlet ports are positioned to create smooth, continuous flow trajectories that minimize turbulence generation while maintaining the valve's flame restriction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design modifies flow parameters by maintaining consistent cross-sectional area through the valve body and using gradual expansions or contractions. The flow path geometry is optimized to keep velocity profiles stable and avoid sudden changes that would generate turbulent flow conditions
2Reliability
If flame arrestors are implemented to block flame propagation, then storage tank protection is improved, but the arrestors have limited useful life and performance degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal valve is designed as a replaceable component that can be quickly swapped out when the fusible element degrades. The simple, modular design allows maintenance personnel to replace the entire valve assembly or individual components without complex disassembly, enabling rapid restoration of protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The valve uses a fusible element with a specific melting point that responds to thermal conditions. When the element melts due to heat exposure from flame contact, it triggers valve closure, providing a clear, detectable endpoint for the arrestor's service life and indicating when replacement is needed
3Reliability
If flame arrestors are used to contain flames, then some flame propagation is limited, but they are not suitable for containing detonations due to rapid propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve extracts the flow restriction function from the flame arrestor system. By positioning the thermal valve upstream to close and stop flow before flames reach the arrestor, the system removes the burden of handling rapid detonation propagation from the arrestor itself, allowing each component to operate within its optimal performance range
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 pin-release thermal valve minimizes turbulence and detonation events by ensuring a smooth flow path and allows for easy replacement of damaged components, enhancing safety in oil and gas applications by reducing the risk of flame propagation back to storage tanks.
Implementation Method 1
The fusible element is adapted to fail when contacted by a fluid traversing the fluid flow path in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
A pin-release thermal valve with a fusible element and valve assembly that allows smooth fluid flow by maintaining a clear path
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve (100) includes a valve body (108) forming a channel (104) defining a fluid flow path from inlet (101) to outlet (102) ports of the valve body via a gallery (105) disposed therebetween, an opening (103) disposed in communication with the gallery, a valve assembly (110) at least partially disposed through the opening and in the gallery, and a fusible element (130). A valve disc (118) of the valve assembly moves between a first position spaced from a valve seat (114) of the valve body and a second position contacting the valve seat. The fusible element is coupled to and at least partly supported by the valve assembly to maintain the valve assembly in the first position. The fluid flow path allows fluid to flow through the valve body in a first direction (106) and a second, opposite direction (107). The fusible element fails when contacted by fluid traversing the fluid flow path in the second direction, allowing the valve disc to move to the second position.