Rotating Choke Trim Structure for Erosion-Resistant Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Choke valves in fluid-handling systems, particularly in mineral extraction, face issues with wear and erosion due to high pressure and abrasive media, leading to degradation and unreliable flow control.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable erosion-resistant choke valve design featuring a rotating plate and insert with positive beans, which increases wear resistance by requiring erosion of the entire internal surface to change flow characteristics, and includes features like tungsten carbide materials and erosion-resistant coatings to enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a movable valve member is used to control fluid flow, then flow rate adjustment is achieved, but wear and erosion occur due to high pressure and abrasive media
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into multiple positive beans (apertures) arranged in a circular pattern. By rotating the plate to uncover different combinations of these positive beans, the valve achieves variable flow control while each individual positive bean maintains a fixed, erosion-resistant geometry. This segmentation allows flow adjustment without requiring a single large movable surface that would be susceptible to wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies using erosion-resistant materials such as tungsten carbide for the positive beans and erosion-resistant coatings on the plate and insert. This composite material approach combines the mechanical functionality of the valve structure with highly wear-resistant materials to withstand high-pressure, abrasive fluid environments, directly addressing the reliability and wear resistance issue.
2Stress or pressure
If traditional choke valve designs are used, then flow control is achieved, but erosion of the valve components occurs in high-pressure environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple positive beans of different sizes and shapes on the insert before operation. The plate is pre-positioned to cover all positive beans in the closed state. During operation, rotating the plate uncovers pre-selected combinations of positive beans to achieve desired flow rates. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for the valve to operate in high-pressure differential states that would cause erosion, as the fixed positive beans handle the pressure while the plate simply rotates to control flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of tungsten carbide material and erosion-resistant coatings on components exposed to high-pressure, abrasive fluid flow provides inherent protection against erosion. These materials maintain their structural integrity and flow control characteristics even in harsh environments, directly resolving the erosion problem while maintaining pressure handling capability.
3Device complexity
If a single choke valve is used in high-pressure environments, then device complexity is reduced, but erosion resistance must be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is simplified to a single plate-insert assembly with multiple positive beans, eliminating the need for complex multi-component valve mechanisms. The segmented positive beans provide inherent erosion resistance through their fixed geometry, while the overall simple structure reduces device complexity. This segmentation allows the valve to handle high-pressure applications reliably with minimal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs erosion-resistant materials (tungsten carbide, erosion-resistant coatings) on the positive beans and plate surfaces to enhance durability in high-pressure, abrasive environments. This material selection provides the necessary erosion resistance in a single, simplified valve design, eliminating the need for multiple valves or complex protective mechanisms while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A choke valve includes a choke body and a choke trim disposed within the choke body. The choke trim also includes an insert defining a plurality of positive beans and a plate defining an aperture. The plate is configured to contact and to rotate relative to the insert to cover and uncover the plurality of positive beans to adjust a fluid flow through the choke valve.