Removable Flowline Trap Station for Continuous Solids Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing solids from multi-phase fluids in hydrocarbon flowlines are inefficient, often requiring frequent manual intervention and risking equipment entrapment, as they do not allow for continuous flowline operation during solid accumulation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A detachable trap station system comprising a multi-phase fluid receiver body and a tank, equipped with a valve assembly, sensor assembly, and weigh scale, which allows for automatic detection of solid accumulation and controlled fluid flow, enabling the tank to be detached and re-coupled without interrupting the flowline operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual scraping is used to remove solids from flowlines, then solids are removed from the flowline, but flowline operation must be interrupted and equipment entrapment risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flowline system is segmented into a permanent receiver body that remains attached and a removable tank that can be detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the receiver body to continue operating while the tank is removed for servicing, enabling continuous flowline operation without interrupting the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable tank acts as an intermediary component between the flowline and the solids accumulation problem. It captures solids in a contained space that can be independently serviced, protecting the main flowline from direct intervention and equipment entrapment risks while allowing continuous operation.
2Productivity
If frequent manual intervention is used to remove solids, then solids accumulation is controlled, but productivity decreases due to flowline interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static manual scraping operations to a dynamic removable tank system. The tank can be quickly detached and replaced without interrupting flowline operation, transforming a time-consuming manual process into a rapid, minimally disruptive operation that maintains continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable tank is designed to be pre-positioned and quickly exchanged with备用 tanks. This preliminary preparation of replacement tanks eliminates the need for on-site solids removal operations, allowing instant replacement and maintaining continuous flowline productivity without time loss.
3Reliability
If a permanent trap station is used, then solids are continuously trapped, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trap station is divided into a permanent receiver body and a removable tank component. This segmentation simplifies the permanent structure by separating the complex solids containment function into a detachable module, reducing the complexity of the permanent installation while maintaining continuous trapping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable tank is designed as a disposable or recoverable component that can be removed, emptied, and replaced. This approach simplifies the permanent structure by offloading the solids accumulation burden to a separate component that can be independently serviced, reducing maintenance complexity of the main system.
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 removes solids from flowlines without interrupting fluid flow, reduces the need for manual scraping, and minimizes the risk of equipment entrapment, allowing for continuous operation and remote monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a wave source configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave, a wave sensor configured to receive the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the wave source
Implementation Method 2
a weigh scale coupled to the tank. The weigh scale is configured to sense a weight of the solids in the tank
Implementation Method 3
a seal configured to fluidically seal the tank to the outlet portion
Data Source
AI summary
Removable trap stations for hydrocarbon flowlines can be implemented as an apparatus. The apparatus includes a multi-phase fluid receiver body and a tank defining an interior volume. The fluid receiver body is configured to couple to a flowline carrying a multi-phase fluid including solids and liquids. The fluid receiver body includes an inlet portion configured to receive a portion of the multi-phase fluid including a portion of the solids flowing through the flowline into the receiver body. The fluid receiver body includes an outlet portion fluidically coupled to the inlet portion. The portion of the multi-phase fluid is configured to flow from the inlet portion to the outlet portion. The tank is fluidically and detachably coupled to the outlet and is configured to receive and retain the portion of the multi-phase fluid received through the inlet portion.