Stationary Fluid Flow Control Assembly Using Venturi Effect
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow control assemblies in conduits, such as valves and choke assemblies, suffer from significant wear and erosion when handling erosive fluid streams, particularly those with multiple phases and entrained solids, as moving components are exposed to the fluid, leading to reduced operational life and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
The assembly employs a control fluid introduced through strategically positioned apertures in the conduit, creating a fluid venturi that restricts the flow of the fluid stream without moving components, using a control fluid at a pressure above the fluid stream to reduce the effective cross-sectional area and control flow rates, suitable for a wide range of fluid streams including those from subterranean wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If moveable mechanical components are used to control fluid flow, then flow control capability is improved, but wear and erosion of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces moveable mechanical components with a stationary flow control assembly that uses fluid dynamics principles. A control fluid is injected through apertures in a stationary body, creating a venturi effect that constricts the main fluid stream without mechanical moving parts, thereby eliminating wear and erosion while maintaining flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by injecting control fluid through apertures in the stationary body. The control fluid creates a venturi effect through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical movement, using pressure differentials and fluid interaction to achieve flow control without mechanical components
2Ease of operation
If moveable components are exposed to flowing fluid, then flow control is achieved, but operational life is reduced due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates moveable components entirely by using a stationary body with apertures through which control fluid is injected. The flow control function is achieved through fluid dynamics (venturi effect) rather than mechanical movement, removing the source of wear and thereby extending operational life
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the moveable components from the flow control system, replacing them with a stationary structure. By taking out the problematic moving parts that cause wear, the system achieves extended operational life while maintaining flow control through alternative means (fluid injection and venturi effect)
3Reliability
If control fluid is injected through apertures to create venturi effect, then component wear is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the apertures for control fluid injection, and creates the venturi effect for flow control. By combining these functions into a single stationary component, the design achieves wear resistance while minimizing the complexity increase that would result from multiple separate components
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
This solution effectively controls fluid flow with minimal wear on components, extending the assembly's operational life and reducing maintenance, while allowing for precise flow rate management even in erosive conditions, making it suitable for use in subterranean oil and gas wells.
Implementation Method 1
A control fluid is supplied to an inlet for the control fluid at a pressure above the pressure of the fluid stream. The control fluid is caused to flow into the fluid stream through the one or more apertures. The action of the control fluid flowing into the fluid stream is to cause a restriction to the flow of the fluid stream through the conduit.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for the control of the flow of a fluid stream is provided, the assembly comprising a fluid flow conduit having a longitudinal axis; an inlet in the conduit for the fluid stream being processed; an outlet in the conduit for the fluid stream being processed; a control fluid feed assembly having an inlet for a control fluid; wherein the conduit comprises a control portion having one or more apertures therein, the control portion being disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the conduit, the one or more apertures being in flow communication with the inlet for the control fluid in the flow control assembly and extending in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow conduit; whereby in use the control fluid supplied to the inlet of the control fluid assembly is caused to flow into the conduit through the one or more apertures. A method for the control of the flow of a fluid stream comprises causing the fluid stream to flow through a flow control zone from an inlet to an outlet in a first direction; introducing a flow of a control fluid into the flow control zone through one or more apertures at a pressure above the pressure of the fluid stream, whereby the control fluid flows into the fluid control zone at an angle to the first direction to thereby cause a restriction to the flow of the fluid stream through the flow control zone in the first direction.