Spiral Pressure Reducing Valve for Shear-Sensitive Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reduction valves and throttling devices cause unwanted fluid and flow conditioning effects, leading to reduced efficiency in downstream separation equipment and increased energy requirements due to shear and mixing, particularly in petroleum applications, where shear-sensitive fluids are degraded and viscosity increases, affecting separation and transportation processes.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reduction valve with spiral-shaped conduits arranged in a stack, providing a controlled flow and fluid conditioning effect, featuring a reduced cross-sectional area and adjustable design to minimize shear and droplet break-up while promoting coalescence, arranged upstream of separation equipment to optimize fluid properties and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional throttling valves are used for pressure reduction, then pressure control is achieved, but unwanted fluid and flow conditioning effects occur including increased shear, droplet break-up, and mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spiral-shaped conduits with curved geometry instead of straight or conventional throttling passages. The spiral configuration creates a rotating flow pattern that reduces shear forces and prevents droplet break-up while maintaining pressure reduction capability. The curved path allows fluid to decelerate and redistribute phases without the high-velocity direct throttling effects of conventional valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates multiple stacked spiral elements with flow bores arranged in series. This segmentation allows the fluid to pass through multiple controlled environments, progressively conditioning the flow and separating phases. Each spiral element contributes to gradual pressure reduction while minimizing harmful shear effects through distributed flow control.
2Productivity
If choke valves are used to regulate production rate, then flow control is achieved, but high shear and mixing effects degrade shear-sensitive fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral-shaped flow bores create a rotating flow pattern that significantly reduces shear forces compared to conventional choke valves. The curved geometry allows fluid to change direction gradually, preventing the high-velocity direct throttling that causes shear-sensitive fluid degradation while maintaining production rate control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve performs preliminary phase separation and flow conditioning upstream of downstream separation equipment. By using the spiral elements to pre-condition the fluid and promote phase separation before the fluid reaches downstream equipment, the valve protects downstream separators from receiving highly sheared and mixed fluids that would reduce their efficiency.
3Productivity
If throttling valves are used for flow control, then flow rate regulation is achieved, but downstream separation efficiency is reduced due to droplet break-up
Solution Approach 1:
The valve performs preliminary phase separation and flow conditioning upstream of downstream separation equipment. By using the spiral elements to pre-condition the fluid and promote phase separation before the fluid reaches downstream equipment, the valve protects downstream separators from receiving highly sheared and mixed fluids that would reduce their efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral-shaped flow bores create a rotating flow pattern that significantly reduces shear forces compared to conventional choke valves. The curved geometry allows fluid to change direction gradually, preventing the high-velocity direct throttling that causes shear-sensitive fluid degradation while maintaining production rate control capability.
4Stress or pressure
If conventional pressure reduction devices are used, then pressure control is achieved, but energy requirements increase due to increased viscosity from mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral-shaped flow bores create a rotating flow pattern that significantly reduces shear forces compared to conventional choke valves. The curved geometry allows fluid to change direction gradually, preventing the high-velocity direct throttling that causes shear-sensitive fluid degradation while maintaining production rate control capability.
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 valve achieves reduced droplet breakage, increased coalescence, and minimized degradation of shear-sensitive fluids, reducing turbulence, cavitation, and particle erosion, thereby enhancing downstream separation efficiency and reducing energy requirements in petroleum processes.
Implementation Method 1
The valve or device comprises at least two spiral-shaped flow bore conduits, each spiral-shaped flow bore conduit forming at least one flow bore conduit rotation around a central point
Implementation Method 2
The valve or device provides a level of turbulence or shear rate which is optimal for a given application
Implementation Method 3
The valve or device provides a level of turbulence or shear rate which is optimal for a given application
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a flow and fluid conditioning pressure reduction valve or device, comprising an inlet and an outlet, the valve or device is distinctive in that it comprises at least one relatively long flow bore conduit shaped as a spiral or a spiral arranged on the surface of a cone or frustum. Each spiral shaped conduit includes at least one, preferably at least three rotations and each spiral shaped conduit preferably is closely packed; the conduit has been arranged between the inlet and the outlet, has reduced flow cross section area, and the length, the cross section area and the number of the spiral shaped conduits in line determine the pressure reduction of a given fluid at a given flow rate.