Subsea Process Module Drainage via Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea and topside offshore process systems in petroleum production face challenges with equipment maintenance and repair due to remote locations, requiring high reliability and long service life, and existing drainage methods are inefficient without permanent operators.
Innovation Solution
A process system with a process module connected via inlet, outlet, and bypass pipes, utilizing valves and a drainage line to facilitate fluidic connections for pressure differential-assisted draining without pumps or gravity, allowing for efficient liquid removal during start-up or shut-down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drainage is performed by gravity or pumps in remote offshore locations, then liquid removal capability is achieved, but system complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the drainage pump from the system entirely, extracting the active pumping function and replacing it with a passive pressure-driven drainage mechanism. The process module can drain liquids through the drainage line using pressure differentials created during normal operation, eliminating the need for dedicated drainage pumping equipment in remote offshore locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational pressure differentials to perform drainage functions. During normal gas compression and fluid flow operations, the pressure variations naturally occurring in the system are utilized to drive liquids through the drainage line and valve assembly, making the system self-draining without requiring external active drainage components.
2Ease of repair
If permanent operators are stationed at remote offshore equipment, then maintenance and repairs can be performed, but operational costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with preliminary drainage capabilities built in through the drainage line and valve assembly, allowing the equipment to be prepared for maintenance by draining liquids before shutdown. This preliminary drainage function ensures that when equipment does require maintenance at remote locations, it can be done more safely and efficiently with reduced liquid hazards, even without permanent operators on site.
3Productivity
If drainage lines are connected to upstream pipe, then drainage efficiency improves, but risk of liquid carryover to upstream increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line acts as an intermediary pathway that allows pressure equalization between the upstream and downstream sides of the process module. By providing this intermediate pressure balance mechanism, the system enables efficient drainage through the drainage line while preventing harmful liquid carryover to the upstream side, as the bypass allows gas pressure to equalize and prevent backflow conditions.
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
Enables reliable and efficient drainage of process modules without the need for pumps or gravitational systems, reducing weight and cost, and allowing for remote operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing valves and a drainage line to facilitate fluidic connections for pressure differential-assisted draining without pumps or gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A process system includes a process module, an upstream pipe, a downstream pipe, an inlet pipe with an inlet isolation valve, an outlet pipe with a discharge isolation valve, a bypass with a bypass isolation valve, and a drainage line with a valve. The process module has an inlet, an outlet, and a drainage outlet. The inlet pipe fluidically connects the inlet of the process module to the upstream pipe. The outlet pipe fluidically connects the outlet of the process module to the downstream pipe. The bypass fluidly connects the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe via the bypass isolation valve. The drainage line fluidly connects the drainage outlet of the process module to the downstream pipe via the valve.