Surge Relief Piping with Shared Spare Runs and Common Header
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline systems face inefficiencies in surge relief due to excessive redundancy and high costs associated with parallel spare subsystems, which are not effectively managed to prevent over-pressurization and subsequent damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize dual-pilot operated surge-relief valves in parallel pipe runs with a common header, allowing for minimal redundancy by having a spare subsystem that can substitute for active ones during maintenance or failure, with pressure and rate-of-rise detection to prevent damage from pressure surges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallel spare subsystems are implemented for surge relief, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple piping subsystems into a common header structure where a single spare subsystem can serve multiple active runs. Instead of having separate spare subsystems for each parallel run, the invention combines them into one shared infrastructure that can substitute for any active run needing maintenance or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spare subsystem is designed with universal functionality to substitute for any of the active piping runs. The common header configuration allows the spare subsystem to connect to and replace any active run, making it a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes and reduces the total number of spare subsystems needed.
2Reliability
If multiple parallel piping subsystems are used for surge relief, then surge protection capability is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple piping subsystems into a common header structure that reduces manufacturing and installation costs. By merging the infrastructure and using shared components, the total cost of manufacturing and installing multiple parallel subsystems is reduced while maintaining surge protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for easier maintenance and recovery by enabling the spare subsystem to quickly substitute for active runs. When an active run needs maintenance, it can be taken offline and replaced by the spare subsystem, allowing the removed subsystem to be recovered, refurbished, and returned to service, thereby reducing long-term costs.
3Productivity
If spare subsystems are implemented for maintenance substitution, then system availability is improved, but the amount of spare equipment required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spare subsystem is designed with universal connectivity through the common header structure, allowing a single spare subsystem to substitute for multiple active runs. This multi-functionality reduces the total quantity of spare equipment needed while maintaining high system availability during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging multiple piping runs into a common header infrastructure, the invention allows one spare subsystem to serve multiple active runs. This consolidation reduces the number of spare subsystems required compared to having separate spare subsystems for each parallel run, thereby reducing equipment quantity while maintaining availability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to protect flows in piping systems using minimal spare components. Some embodiments may provide: a first piping subsystem configured to receive a portion of the input flow; a second piping subsystem configured to receive the portion of the input flow by substituting for the first subsystem; a test subsystem configured to detect whether each of the first and second subsystems is able to vent when at least one, in the each subsystem, of a respective pressure and a respective pressure rate satisfies first and second criteria, respectively; and first and second pilots configured to detect a maximum pressure and a maximum pressure rate, respectively, of the portion of the first and second subsystems.