Rupture Disc Valve Protection for Overpressure Flow Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection devices for fluid flow lines, particularly those transporting hydrocarbons, are costly and unreliable due to the need for expensive equipment and frequent maintenance in severe underwater environments, with high-integrated pressure protection systems relying on sensors that can fail, leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with a housing containing a valve actuated by a removable cartridge with rupture discs that self-operate based on pressure thresholds, eliminating the need for sensors and electrical power, and allowing for lower pressure rating in downstream sections, reducing costs and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If instrumented high-integrated pressure protection systems (HIPPS) with sensors and actuators are used, then pressure protection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from complex electronic sensors and implements it through a simple mechanical rupture disc that bursts at a predetermined pressure threshold. This removes the need for electronic sensors, controllers, and power systems while maintaining pressure protection capability through pure mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The rupture disc automatically detects and responds to overpressure conditions without external control systems. When pressure exceeds the threshold, the rupture disc bursts and triggers the valve closure autonomously, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring systems, power supply, and complex control logic.
2Reliability
If the entire flow line is pressure rated to maximum expected pressure, then safety against pressure surge is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow line is divided into segments by installing the protection device at specific locations. Only the upstream section requires high pressure rating to withstand pressure surges, while the downstream section can be manufactured with lower pressure rating. The protection device acts as a barrier that isolates the high-pressure zone from the rest of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly high pressure rating throughout the entire flow line, the patent applies high pressure rating only locally at the upstream section where pressure surges originate. The downstream section uses lower pressure rating materials and construction, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining overall system safety through the protection device.
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 provides a reliable, cost-effective, and maintenance-reduced protection for fluid flow lines by using self-actuating rupture discs that automatically close the valve when pressure exceeds a threshold, ensuring safety without electronic components and reducing overall installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating mechanism comprises a piston movable in the upstream chamber and an additional piston placed upstream of the piston in the upstream chamber and able to be actuated by the pressurized fluid sampled from the internal canal when the pressure of the fluid exceeds a predefined threshold defined by the at least one rupture element
Data Source
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AI summary
Protection device for a fluid flow line, related installation and process The protection device (12) comprises: - a valve (42) and a valve actuator (44), able to move the valve (42) to a closed position when a pressure upstream of the valve (42) exceeds a predermined threshold pressure. The valve actuator (44) comprises: - a biasing member (80), to maintain the valve (42) in an open position; - an actuation mechanism (82), to move the valve (42) to the closed position, the actuation mechanism (82) comprising; - a fluid sampling passage (46) to fluidly connect the flow line to a fluid actuated surface (104) of the actuation mechanism (82). - at least a rupture element (85) preventing the passage of fluid from the flow line when the pressure upstream of the rupture element (85) is lower than the threshold pressure, the rupture element (85) being able to break at the threshold pressure.