Reactive-Fluid Pulsation Dampener for Thermal Expansion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas-charged pulsation dampeners in drilling and industrial applications face challenges in maintaining performance and extending service life due to the need for continuous pre-charge adjustments and shutdowns when system pressures fluctuate, leading to reduced bladder performance and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A pulsation dampener using a reactive, compressible liquid within a flexible diaphragm, optionally augmented with compressible foam or a partial fill, and incorporating a reset pressure relief valve to accommodate thermal expansion, allowing for continuous operation and reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nitrogen pre-charge is adjusted to maintain performance under fluctuating system pressures, then pulsation control effectiveness is improved, but system shutdowns and maintenance frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the pre-charge medium from gas (nitrogen) to liquid (reactive fluid). This parameter change eliminates thermal expansion issues that cause performance degradation in gas-charged dampeners, allowing continuous operation without pre-charge adjustments while maintaining effective pulsation control across varying system pressures and temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable reactive fluid cartridge that is replaced periodically rather than requiring maintenance of a gas charging system. This approach trades the complexity of gas pre-charge adjustment systems for simple cartridge replacement, improving productivity by eliminating shutdowns for pre-charge adjustments while maintaining reliable pulsation control
2Productivity
If liquid reactive fluid is used to replace nitrogen, then continuous operation without pre-charge adjustments is achieved, but thermal expansion of the liquid must be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates compressible foam specifically within the bladder to accommodate thermal expansion of the liquid reactive fluid. This localized compression capability is integrated into the bladder structure itself, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation without complex external expansion accommodation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining liquid reactive fluid with compressible foam material within the bladder. This composite approach allows the liquid to provide effective pulsation damping while the compressible foam accommodates thermal expansion, achieving continuous operation without excessive device complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If compressible foam is added to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests compressible foam elements within the bladder structure, integrating the thermal expansion accommodation function into the existing bladder design. This nesting approach allows the foam to be incorporated during bladder manufacturing without requiring separate assembly steps, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining thermal stability
4Reliability
If full bladder fill is used to maximize pulsation damping, then pulsation control effectiveness is improved, but thermal expansion causes pressure buildup and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates compressible foam within the bladder before the liquid reactive fluid is introduced. This beforehand cushioning capability allows the bladder to accommodate thermal expansion of the liquid without causing dangerous pressure buildup, maintaining both pulsation damping effectiveness and safety
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 effectively limits pulsation levels across a wide range of operating pressures, enhancing drilling efficiency and extending equipment life by maintaining pulsation control without the need for frequent precharge adjustments, while also reducing the physical footprint required.
Implementation Method 1
A pulsation dampener uses a reactive, compressible liquid within a flexible diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
The liquid quantity of reactive fluid is selected to dampen pressure pulses within the external pumped fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
The pulsation dampener is configured to accommodate thermal expansion of the quantity of liquid reactive fluid by one or more of including a quantity of compressible foam within the flexible diaphragm
Implementation Method 4
A pulsation dampener includes a quantity of liquid reactive fluid (e.g., about 20 gallons) contained within a flexible diaphragm and separated from external pumped fluid flow by the flexible diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
A pulsation dampener includes a quantity of liquid reactive fluid (e.g., about 20 gallons) contained within a flexible diaphragm and separated from fluid from an external pumped fluid flow. The quantity of liquid reactive fluid is selected to dampen pressure pulses within the external pumped fluid flow. The pulsation dampener is configured to accommodate thermal expansion of the quantity of liquid reactive fluid by one or more of including a quantity of compressible foam within the flexible diaphragm, allowing for a space between the flexible diaphragm when holding the quantity of the liquid reactive fluid and a body of the pulsation dampener, or providing a reset pressure relief valve.