Subsea Separator Piston for Efficient Underwater Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating oil and gas mixtures from undersea wellheads are inefficient and costly due to the challenging nature of the undersea environment, requiring improved systems and methods for effective separation and compression of gas components.
Innovation Solution
A subsea machine with a chamber that separates mixtures by gravity, utilizing a piston to manage mixture flow and a compressor section for gas compression, aided by seawater pressure for efficient separation and extraction of gas, liquid, and mud components, potentially with sound and vibration acceleration and mechanical assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional separators and compressors are used in undersea environments, then separation and compression functions are achieved, but device complexity and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the separator and compressor into a single integrated subsea machine. The separator chamber and compressor chamber share a common housing and piston mechanism, allowing both separation and compression functions to be performed by one device rather than two separate pieces of equipment. This reduces device complexity while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston in the invention serves multiple functions: it separates the separator chamber from the compressor chamber, compresses the gas phase material, and works with seawater pressure to facilitate material ejection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall system while achieving reliable separation and compression.
2Productivity
If continuous operation is required in undersea environments, then productivity increases, but difficulty of detecting and measuring operational parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation by using seawater pressure to continuously eject separated materials from the separator chamber and compressed gas from the compressor chamber. The piston continuously cycles between compression and ejection phases, maintaining continuous productive action without requiring periodic manual intervention or complex monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ambient seawater pressure to perform the ejection function, eliminating the need for additional powered ejection mechanisms. The seawater pressure automatically facilitates material removal from both chambers, reducing the need for complex monitoring and control systems while maintaining continuous operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gravity-based separation is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but separation speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs gravity-based separation first in the separator chamber before compression. This preliminary separation removes the bulk of liquid and solid materials from the gas phase using only gravity, requiring minimal energy. The pre-separated material is then easily compressed in the second chamber, achieving both low energy consumption and efficient productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the processing into two distinct chambers: a separator chamber for gravity-based separation and a compressor chamber for gas compression. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function - the separator uses gravity with minimal energy input, while the compressor handles only the already-separated gas phase, maintaining high productivity.
4Ease of operation
If piston movement is used to manage material flow, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses seawater pressure (hydraulic principle) to move the piston and eject materials from both chambers. The seawater pressure naturally drives the piston through its cycle and facilitates material ejection without requiring complex mechanical actuators or control systems. This hydraulic approach simplifies the piston mechanism while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston mechanism is driven by ambient seawater pressure rather than external power sources or complex control systems. The seawater pressure automatically performs the work of moving the piston and ejecting materials, making the system easier to operate while reducing mechanical complexity. The system uses the environment's natural resources to perform mechanical work.
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 efficient separation and compression of gas components from undersea wellheads, reducing operational costs and improving the efficiency of oil and gas extraction processes in challenging underwater environments.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber configured to receive and separate by gravity the mixture received from the seabed well
Implementation Method 2
The piston is configured to move in a first direction along an axis to create more space in the top section for receiving the mixture from the seabed well and to move in a second opposite direction along the axis for removing the mixture from the chamber after separation has occurred
Implementation Method 3
a compressor section fluidly connected to the top section, the compressor section being configured to receive, compress and propel the gas towards an onshore facilities
Implementation Method 4
a chamber configured to receive the mixture from the seabed well and to eject the mixture by means of the pressure of sea water inside the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include using a subsea machine for separating a mixture received from a seabed well. The subsea machine includes: a chamber configured to receive and separate by gravity the mixture received from the seabed well. The chamber includes: a housing configured to contain the mixture received from the undersea well during separation, and a piston provided inside the housing and separating the housing into a top section and a bottom section. The piston is configured to move in a first direction along an axis to create more space in the top section for receiving the mixture from the seabed well and to move in a second opposite direction along the axis for removing the mixture from the chamber after separation has occurred.