Subsea Hydrocyclone Liner Module for Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea hydrocyclone systems face issues with clogging due to material deposition, require extensive maintenance in hostile environments, and occupy significant space, especially when handling heavy oils, which complicates equipment replacement and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A recoverable subsea module with removable liners that can be easily accessed and replaced, featuring a titanium cover with sealing elements and a cylindrical disc-shaped body for secure fastening, allowing for efficient maintenance and reduced space occupancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrocyclones are used for separation in subsea environments, then separation performance is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to clogging and hostile environment
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrocyclone system is divided into modular packages with multiple liners that can be independently accessed and replaced. Each liner package is a separate module that can be serviced without shutting down the entire separation system, resolving the contradiction by maintaining separation performance while enabling easier maintenance through modular replacement of only the clogged liners.
Solution Approach 2:
The liners are nested within a common inlet/outlet structure, allowing multiple hydrocyclone liners to be housed in a compact arrangement. This nesting enables the liners to be accessed and replaced as a module while maintaining the integrated flow distribution system, thus improving maintenance ease without compromising separation performance.
2Productivity
If multiple liners are arranged in a complex pipe system, then separation capacity increases, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hydrocyclone liners are nested within a common inlet and outlet structure, allowing dozens of liners to be arranged in a compact three-dimensional configuration. This nesting arrangement achieves high separation capacity through multiple parallel liners while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the separation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The liners are arranged in a three-dimensional nested configuration rather than a linear or planar arrangement. By utilizing vertical and radial dimensions, the system accommodates many more liners in a compact space, increasing separation capacity without proportionally increasing the footprint or volume of the equipment.
3Volume of stationary object
If compact arrangement of liners is implemented, then space occupation is reduced, but access for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The compact nested arrangement is segmented into modular liner packages that can be independently accessed through dedicated access ports. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace specific liners in the compact arrangement without disassembling the entire structure, thus maintaining compactness while enabling easy maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner packages are pre-configured as complete replacement modules with all necessary components (liners, seals, connections) assembled together. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid swap-out of clogged liners without complex on-site assembly procedures, making maintenance of the compact arrangement as easy as replacing a cartridge filter.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance and replacement of liners using ROVs, reduces equipment weight and space requirements, and enhances operational stability in oscillatory environments, particularly with heavy oil processing.
Implementation Method 1
Internally, a centrifugal force produces a rapid acceleration of the fluids, causing the denser liquid to flow towards the walls and then through the underflow, and the less dense liquid to flow towards the outlet referred to as tailing.
Implementation Method 2
Hydrocyclones are equipment that separate liquid and/or particulate in mixtures or in suspension which may be based on the density of the liquids or the density of the particles, respectively.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a recoverable module for subsea environments, which is especially suitable for use mainly in the processing of fluids linked to the oil industry, and subsea fluid separation equipment or equipment involving any process performed through liners. The module according to the present invention basically comprises a separating vessel (1) provided with an inlet (2) and two underflow (3) and overflow or tailing (4) outlets, in addition to a cover (5) which has a set of removable liners (6) fastened to its interior.