Subsea Pig Launcher Selector for Single-Line Multi-Pig Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea pig launchers are complex and require multiple control valves for managing multiple pigs, making them cumbersome and inefficient for remote operation in subsea environments.
Innovation Solution
A simplified pig launcher with a pig magazine, a launcher mechanism, and a connector, featuring a pig selector that allows a single control fluid source to activate multiple control lines, reducing the need for multiple valves and enabling remote operation through a rotatable selector element and actuator, suitable for all-electric systems and ROV-assisted operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple control valves are used to manage multiple pigs in subsea pig launchers, then each pig can be controlled independently, but the device complexity increases and remote operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control valves are merged into a single control valve that can selectively direct control fluid to different control lines. The control valve has multiple outlets, each connected to a control line for a different pig, allowing one valve to perform the function of multiple valves while enabling remote operation with reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single control valve is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple pigs. It can selectively activate any one of several control lines by rotating its body to align different internal passages with the control fluid source, making one component perform the work of multiple dedicated valves
2Device complexity
If a single control valve with multiple outlets is used to reduce complexity, then device complexity decreases, but ensuring reliable fluid distribution to the correct control line becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve incorporates a rotatable body that can be dynamically positioned to different angles. Each rotational position aligns specific internal fluid passages to connect the control fluid source to a specific outlet and control line, providing reliable and selective fluid distribution through dynamic reconfiguration rather than static fixed connections
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable valve body acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the single control fluid source and multiple control lines. By rotating to specific positions, it selectively connects the source to the intended control line, ensuring reliable fluid distribution while maintaining system simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control lines are provided for multiple pigs, then each pig can be launched independently, but the quantity of control fluid lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control lines that would normally require separate control fluid sources are merged into a single control fluid line that feeds into the multi-outlet control valve. The valve then distributes control fluid to individual control lines as needed, reducing the total quantity of control fluid lines while maintaining the ability to independently launch any pig
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 simplifies the pig launching process, reduces complexity, and enhances flexibility by allowing remote operation of multiple control lines with a single valve, making it suitable for subsea environments and distant production fields, while ensuring reliable pig launching and maintenance capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
control lines being connected to the pig magazine in such a way that each control line is able to provide control fluid to manipulate one pig
Implementation Method 2
a rotatable selector element. The rotatable selector element enables fluid communication from the inlet to one of the two or more outlets while closing the remaining outlets
Data Source
AI summary
It is a pig launcher (1) comprising a pig magazine (2), launcher mechanism (3) and a connector (7) being connectable to a fluid flow line. The pig magazine (2) is able to hold a number of pigs arranged side by side, control lines (4) being connected to the pig magazine in such a way that each control line (4) is able to provide control fluid to manipulate a pig. The pig launcher further comprises a pig selector (5) being able to receive source control fluid from one control fluid source line (9) and to channel the control fluid to one of a number of control lines (4) being connected to the pig selector, thereby being able to launch one of the number of pigs by means of the control fluid.