Self-flushing Small Volume Prover for Contaminated Crude Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small volume provers used in the oil and gas industry are not compatible with contaminated crude oil, as they cannot effectively remove foreign materials like trash and particulate matter, leading to premature wear and incompatibility with existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A self-flushing small volume prover apparatus with a piston configured to have a valve arrangement and outlet port at the bottom of a cylindrical object, allowing foreign materials to be removed via fluid flow when the piston moves from downstream to upstream, utilizing the piston's velocity to flush out debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional small volume prover design is used, then the prover structure is simple and cost-effective, but foreign materials cannot be removed from the prover, causing premature wear to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The prover is divided into distinct functional zones: a measurement chamber for flow verification and a separate flushing chamber for foreign material removal. The piston is segmented into a measurement portion and a flushing portion, allowing independent operation of measuring and cleaning functions without compromising either
Solution Approach 2:
The piston serves dual functions: it acts as a flow measurement component during proving operations and as a flushing mechanism during cleaning operations. The single piston structure enables both measurement and foreign material removal, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If a vertically mounted prover is used to remove foreign material, then foreign material can be removed from the prover, but the design is costly and non-user friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static vertical mounting to a dynamic horizontal operation with automated piston movement. The piston is propelled horizontally through the flushing chamber by pressure differential created during proving operations, automatically performing the flushing action without requiring manual intervention or complex vertical mounting infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The proving operation itself generates the flushing action. The piston's movement during normal flow verification creates the pressure differential that automatically flushes foreign materials from the measurement chamber, eliminating the need for separate cleaning systems or complex vertical mounting while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If a vertically mounted prover is used, then foreign material can be removed, but the design is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing function is merged with the existing piston and proving chamber structure. The single piston serves both measurement and flushing purposes, and the flushing chamber utilizes the same inlet and outlet ports as the measurement chamber, eliminating the need for separate vertical mounting infrastructure and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability
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 removes foreign materials from the prover, preventing wear and allowing compatibility with crude oil applications without the need for costly or non-user-friendly vertical designs, ensuring reliable operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The velocity of the piston can remove the collected foreign material from the cylindrical object via the outlet port
Implementation Method 2
a piston configured with a valve arrangement located inside a cylindrical object in order to permit fluid to pass through an annular passage when the piston is traveling from a downstream position to an upstream position
Data Source
AI summary
A self-flushing small volume prover apparatus, method and system for removing foreign materials. A piston can be configured with a valve arrangement located within a cylindrical object in order to permit fluid to pass through an annular passage when the piston travels from a downstream position to an upstream position. An inlet port and an outlet port can be located at the bottom of the cylindrical object. The outlet port can be welded at the bottom of the bore cylinder so that foreign material can flow directly out of the prover bore cylinder via the outlet port. The velocity of the piston can remove the collected foreign material from the bore cylinder via the outlet port, thus creating a self-flushing prover.