Rotatable Flanged Flowline Component for High-Pressure Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-pressure flowline systems in the oil and gas industry face challenges with complex assembly, high maintenance costs, and frequent leaks due to the use of numerous small-diameter lines and exposed elastomeric seals, which are prone to erosion and corrosion from abrasive and corrosive fluids.
Innovation Solution
The development of rotatable flanged components and assemblies that allow for a single, larger flowline with internal metal seals, reducing the number of connections and eliminating exposed elastomeric seals, while providing flexibility through multiple axes of rotation for easier assembly and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional high-pressure flowline systems use numerous small-diameter lines with exposed elastomeric seals, then the system can be assembled with standard components, but the system experiences frequent leaks, high maintenance costs, and erosion from abrasive and corrosive fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple small-diameter flowlines into a single larger-diameter flowline, reducing the number of connections and elastomeric seals. This merging approach eliminates multiple potential leak points while maintaining the same fluid transport capacity, directly improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes exposed elastomeric seals from the system by using internal metal seals instead. This extraction of the problematic elastomeric seal component eliminates the primary source of leaks and erosion-related failures, while the internal positioning protects the sealing surface from direct fluid exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flowline systems use fixed connections, then the assembly is structurally simple, but the system requires complex alignment procedures and has limited adaptability to different installation configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rotatable flanged components that allow the flowline to be rotated and positioned at different angles during assembly. This dynamic capability enables adaptability to various installation configurations and alignment requirements, while the rotation is constrained within specific limits to maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation parameter of the flanged connections, allowing rotation within defined angular limits. This parameter adjustment provides alignment flexibility without compromising the structural strength of the connection, enabling easier adaptation to different installation scenarios.
3Strength
If flowlines use exposed elastomeric seals, then the sealing mechanism is simple and cost-effective, but the seals are prone to erosion and corrosion from abrasive and corrosive fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of fluid exposure on seals by repositioning the seal internally, where it is protected from direct contact with abrasive and corrosive fluids. The flowline design allows the fluid to flow along the exterior surface without directly impacting the sealing interface, thereby eliminating erosion and corrosion mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the flowline wall as an intermediary barrier between the abrasive/corrosive fluid and the elastomeric seal. This intermediate structure protects the seal from direct exposure to harmful fluids, significantly extending seal durability and reducing maintenance requirements.
4Productivity
If multiple small-diameter flowlines are used, then the system can handle high flow rates, but the system has numerous connection points that increase maintenance costs and reduce service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small-diameter flowlines into a single larger-diameter flowline, maintaining the same total fluid flow capacity while reducing the number of connection points. This consolidation directly reduces maintenance time and frequency, as there are fewer seals and connections to inspect and replace.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable flanged component is adapted for assembly into a flow line of a high-pressure fluid transportation system. The rotatable flanged component comprises a body and a conduit. The body has at least two ends. The conduit extends between the ends. The rotatable component also has a flange and a union face at each of the ends. The flanges and union faces are adapted to provide a flange union between the component and other flowline components at each the body end. At least one of the flanges is a rotatable flange. The rotatable flange has a central opening and a plurality of holes. The holes are adapted to accommodate threaded connectors for loading the flange with an axial force. The flange is mounted on the body end through the central opening for rotation and for transmission of the axial force to the body end.