Pumping Block Bypass Circuit for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwater pumping stations face challenges with high-power pumps that require improved operating constraints, including abnormal wear and tear due to pressure differentials, and maintenance complexities, especially with non-retrievable valves that are prone to mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase pumping block device with an integrated bypass circuit and non-return valves that allows fluid diversion, enabling easy maintenance and protection against backflow, and includes a choke valve for controlling flow to prevent wear and tear, allowing for the pump to start without using the main bypass circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-power pumps (2.5 MW) are used to generate pressure differential of 130 bar, then pumping capacity is improved, but abnormal wear and tear increases due to operating constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass circuit is activated before pump startup to establish a safe operating condition. By opening the bypass valve beforehand, the pump can start without immediate high pressure differential, preventing abnormal wear and tear while maintaining high-power pumping capability when needed
2Productivity
If conventional pumping devices are used with high-power pumps, then they satisfy low-power pump characteristics, but they cannot meet the operating constraints of high-power pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve provides dynamic control over the pumping system operation. It can be adjusted during operation to optimize performance under different conditions, allowing the system to adapt to high-power pump operating constraints rather than being fixed like conventional devices
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass circuit acts as an intermediary element between the pump and the rest of the system. It mediates the pressure differential and flow conditions, protecting the pump during startup and operation while enabling the high-power pump to function within safe operating parameters
3Ease of operation
If the pump starts directly without bypass circuit, then the starting process is simple, but free flow causes abnormal wear and tear on the pump and mechanical seals
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass circuit is designed to be automatically activated during pump startup without requiring complex external control systems. The simple valve mechanism self-regulates to prevent free flow through the pump, protecting mechanical seals while maintaining operational simplicity
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 enhances the reliability and maintainability of high-power pumps by reducing abnormal wear and tear, allowing for safer startup and maintenance, extending the life expectancy of critical components, and simplifying the starting process while protecting the pump from excessive flow rates and pressure imbalances.
Implementation Method 1
a bypass circuit suitable for enabling the flow of a fluid from an area upstream of the pump to an area downstream of the pump by bypassing the pump, with the bypass circuit comprising at least one non-return valve suitable for blocking the flow of the fluid from the area downstream of the pump to the area upstream of the pump
Implementation Method 2
the bypass circuit further comprises a valve suitable for controlling the flow of a fluid in the bypass circuit. This valve can be a valve of the 'choke valve' or 'on-off valve' type
Implementation Method 3
These pumps can be suitable for generating a pressure differential ΔP of about 130 bar
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a multiphase pumping block device comprising a pump and a bypass circuit. Said bypass circuit is suitable for enabling the flow of a fluid from an area upstream of the pump to an area downstream of the pump by bypassing the pump. The latter comprises at least out non-return valve suitable for blocking the flow of the fluid from the area downstream of the pump to the area upstream of the pump. In addition, the pumping block device is connected to a set of pumping circuits, comprising a main bypass circuit suitable for enabling the flow of a fluid from an area upstream of the connected pumping block to an area downstream of the connected pumping block. Finally, the pumping block device is arranged in order to be disconnected from said set of circuits for maintenance.