Pulsed Fluid Discharge Valve for Deep Pipeline Cleanout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid conduit cleaning technologies face limitations in providing effective jetting power at large distances and deployment depths, particularly in hydrocarbon production and transportation pipelines, due to frictional losses and the inability to navigate convoluted paths, leading to inefficiencies and cost challenges, especially in offshore operations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid discharge apparatus with a valve arrangement that cycles between open and closed conditions to provide interrupted fluid flow, utilizing a cartridge piston and spring biasing system to generate pulsed jets and thrust, allowing for flexible deployment and enhanced cleaning capabilities in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coiled tubing injector system is used for wellbore cleanout operations, then access to pressurized wellbores is provided, but the equipment becomes substantial and heavy with large footprint and high capital expense
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of pressure control and injection from the heavy coiled tubing injector system. By using a simpler valve arrangement integrated directly into the flexible hose system, the patent removes the need for substantial injector equipment while maintaining the ability to control pressurized fluid injection into wellbores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable or single-use flexible hose with integrated valve arrangement, replacing the expensive, heavy, and complex coiled tubing injector system. This approach uses simpler, lighter components that can be deployed and discarded after a single operation, significantly reducing equipment weight and capital expense.
2Reliability
If coiled tubing injector system is used, then wellbore cleanout is achieved, but the equipment requires large footprint and high capital expense
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the core cleanout function from the large-footprint injector system. By integrating the valve arrangement directly into the flexible hose and eliminating the need for heavy injector equipment, the patent achieves wellbore cleanout capability with minimal equipment footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible hose with integrated valve arrangement instead of rigid, heavy injector equipment. The flexible nature of the hose allows it to be stored compactly and deployed easily, dramatically reducing the equipment footprint while maintaining cleanout capability.
3Productivity
If coiled tubing is used for cleaning operations, then fluid circulation through coiled tubing and annulus removes particulate matter, but substantial equipment with large footprint is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fluid circulation and particulate removal function from the large-footprint coiled tubing system. By using a flexible hose with integrated valve arrangement, the patent achieves the same productivity in removing particulate matter while requiring minimal equipment footprint.
4Reliability
If coiled tubing injector system is deployed, then pressure control is achieved, but the system is substantial and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pressure control valve arrangement directly into the flexible hose system. By integrating these functions into a single unified component rather than using separate heavy injector equipment, the patent achieves reliable pressure control with significantly reduced system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose with integrated valve arrangement serves multiple functions simultaneously: fluid injection, pressure control, and particulate removal. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate heavy equipment for each function, reducing overall system weight while maintaining reliability.
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 apparatus achieves effective jetting power and improved deployment depth by minimizing frictional losses through pulsed fluid discharge, enabling efficient removal of debris and scale from pipelines, even in complex geometries, and reducing operational costs through reduced equipment size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
A valve arrangement is provided in the body and is operable to be cycled to provide an interrupted flow of fluid through the body
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a cartridge piston and spring biasing system to generate pulsed jets and thrust
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus achieves effective jetting power and improved deployment depth by minimizing frictional losses through pulsed fluid discharge, enabling efficient removal of debris and scale from pipelines
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a fluid discharge apparatus (102) and a method of use. The apparatus (102) comprises a body (106) comprising an inlet (122) configured to receive fluid from a fluid source, and one or more fluid discharge ports (140). A valve arrangement (124) in the body (106) is operable to be cycled to provide an interrupted flow of fluid through the body (106). The valve arrangement (124) may be disposed in the body (106), and/or may be operable to be moved between a first condition in which fluid entering the body (106) from the inlet (122) is prevented from passing through the apparatus (102), and a second condition in which fluid is discharged through the one or more fluid discharge ports (140). The valve arrangement (124) may be operable to cycle between the first condition and the second condition to provide an interrupted flow of fluid through the body (106).