Subsea Hydrate Inhibitor Injection Control Using Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrate formation in hydrocarbon extraction operations is a widespread concern due to the excessive use of hydrate inhibitors, which increases costs and is not always effective in preventing hydrate formation.
Innovation Solution
An additive management system that monitors and controls hydrate formation conditions in hydrocarbon extraction systems by using sensors and chemical injection metering valves to adjust the flow rate and amount of hydrate inhibitors, providing targeted and precise control based on real-time data and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrate inhibitors are used excessively to prevent hydrate formation, then hydrate formation is blocked, but the cost of hydrocarbon extraction operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors hydrate formation conditions (temperature, pressure, water content) and adjusts hydrate inhibitor injection rates based on real-time feedback. The controller compares actual conditions against hydrate formation thresholds and dynamically modifies injection rates to maintain prevention while minimizing chemical usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrate inhibitor injection rate is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts injection rates in real-time based on changing operational conditions such as temperature fluctuations, pressure changes, and water content variations, allowing optimal prevention with minimal chemical consumption.
2Reliability
If hydrate inhibitors are used excessively to prevent hydrate formation, then hydrate formation is blocked, but the cost of hydrocarbon extraction operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors hydrate formation conditions (temperature, pressure, water content) and adjusts hydrate inhibitor injection rates based on real-time feedback. The controller compares actual conditions against hydrate formation thresholds and dynamically modifies injection rates to maintain prevention while minimizing chemical usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the injection rate parameter of hydrate inhibitors based on varying operational conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically according to temperature, pressure, and water content measurements, the system achieves effective prevention at lower overall chemical consumption and reduced operational costs.
3Reliability
If traditional hydrate inhibition methods are used, then hydrate formation is blocked, but the control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors hydrate formation conditions (temperature, pressure, water content) and adjusts hydrate inhibitor injection rates based on real-time feedback. The controller compares actual conditions against hydrate formation thresholds and dynamically modifies injection rates to maintain prevention while minimizing chemical usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical control methods with automated electronic sensing and control. Sensors continuously measure temperature, pressure, and water content, and an electronic controller automatically adjusts injection rates, providing superior measurement and control precision compared to manual or mechanical systems.
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 system reduces the unnecessary use of hydrate inhibitors, optimizing their application to prevent hydrate formation while minimizing costs and ensuring efficient hydrocarbon extraction operations.
Implementation Method 1
The controller receives feedback from one or more sensors and one or more flow meters of the hydrocarbon extraction system and determines, using the feedback, one or more parameters of a fluid flow in the hydrocarbon extraction system
Implementation Method 2
The controller receives feedback from one or more sensors and one or more flow meters of the hydrocarbon extraction system and determines, using the feedback, one or more parameters of a fluid flow in the hydrocarbon extraction system
Implementation Method 3
Hydrate formation in hydrocarbon extraction operations is an industry wide concern. Hydrates are formations of ice and gas that may form due to high pressures and low temperatures in hydrocarbon extraction environments
Implementation Method 4
The additive management system may include one or more chemical injection metering valves configured to inject a chemical into the fluid flow
Implementation Method 5
These hydrate inhibitors may block hydrate formation by lowering the freezing point of water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A system comprises a chemical injection device (16) configured to inject a chemical into a fluid in a subsea hydrocarbon extraction system (10) at a rate of injection and a controller (24), communicatively coupled to the chemical injection device (16). The controller (24) is configured to receive feedback from at least one sensor (14, 20) configured to monitor the fluid flow in the subsea hydrocarbon extraction system, wherein the fluid flow comprises water and the injected chemical, determine a hydrate condition based at least in part on the feedback from the at least one sensor and determine a ratio of the injected chemical relative to water in the fluid flow based on feedback from the at least one sensor (16), The controller is also configured to control the chemical injection device (16) to adjust the rate of injection of the injected chemical into the fluid flow based at least in part on the hydrate condition and the ratio of the injected chemical relative to the water in the fluid flow.