Subsea Rupture Disk Diverts Excess Fluid to Vessel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea pressure relief systems face challenges in managing pressure increases during shut-ins, leading to potential equipment rupture, and existing solutions like high integrity pressure protection systems (HIPPS) are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A subsea overpressure relief system featuring a vessel with an asymmetrical rupture disk and a vent line, where the rupture disk diverts excess fluid into a vertically oriented vessel open to the sea environment, reducing pressure and preventing equipment failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high integrity pressure protection systems (HIPPS) are used to protect against pressure increases, then equipment protection is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential pressure relief function from complex HIPPS systems by using a simple rupture disk that automatically fails at a predetermined pressure threshold. This standalone rupture disk device performs the critical safety function without requiring the complex array of piping, valves, control systems, and other equipment found in HIPPS systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rupture disk is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-use component that ruptures at a predetermined pressure threshold to relieve excess pressure. Once it performs its safety function, it is replaced, eliminating the need for complex reusable systems with multiple failure points.
2Reliability
If additional safety relief options like offset riser and relief riser are implemented, then pressure relief capability is improved, but project expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure relief function from expensive structural modifications like offset risers and relief risers by implementing a simple rupture disk in the existing pipeline. This eliminates the need for additional expensive structural elements while providing effective pressure relief.
3Reliability
If additional HIPPS is implemented, then pressure protection is improved, but subsea processing arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential pressure protection function from additional HIPPS systems by using a simple rupture disk that provides automatic pressure relief without requiring complex control systems, piping arrangements, or multiple failure-point 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
The system effectively manages pressure increases by diverting fluid away from critical equipment, preventing rupture and maintaining operational safety while simplifying the subsea processing arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
rupturing the asymmetrical rupture disk when the pressure of the fluid exceeds a predetermined pressure such that at least a portion of the fluid in the transport line can be diverted through the relief line and the ruptured asymmetrical rupture disk
Implementation Method 2
flowing the portion of the fluid from the relief line into a substantially vertically oriented vessel that can be coupled to and in fluid communication with the relief line
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for relieving pressure from a subsea transport line are provided. The system can include a vessel having a bottom end that can be at least partially open and in fluid communication with a subsea environment. The vessel can also include one or more relief lines each having a first end and a second end. The first end can be coupled to one or more subsea transport lines coupled to one or more subsea production units and the second end can be coupled to a top end of the vessel. The relief line can include one or more pressure relief devices at least partially disposed therein.