Modular Vortex Pressure Regulator for Polymer Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for injecting polyacrylamide solutions in enhanced oil recovery face challenges due to mechanical and chemical degradation caused by pressure drops, requiring complex and costly equipment to minimize polymer degradation during pressure modulation.
Innovation Solution
A modular pressure regulation apparatus using vortex modules and valves to create pressure drops of up to 5 bars each, allowing for flexible and efficient pressure modulation with minimal polymer degradation, suitable for underwater applications and adaptable to varying well pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a long calibrated tube is used for pressure reduction, then pressure drop of 60 to 100 bars is achieved, but polymer degradation increases with tube length and speed
Solution Approach 1:
The single long calibrated tube is divided into multiple shorter sections that can be selectively connected in series. Each section contains a calibrated tube of fixed length (e.g., 10-20 meters) designed to provide a specific pressure drop (e.g., 5-10 bars). By segmenting the total pressure reduction into multiple smaller steps across different tube sections, the polymer experiences less cumulative degradation while achieving the required total pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration of the calibrated tube sections through bypass valves. Operators can selectively activate different numbers and combinations of tube sections based on the specific well pressure requirements. This dynamic assembly enables optimization of pressure drop per section to minimize polymer degradation while achieving the necessary total pressure reduction for each well condition.
2Reliability
If pressure reducers are used to avoid degradation, then polymer degradation is minimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibrated tube sections serve as an intermediary element between the high-pressure pump and the well. Instead of using complex active pressure control devices, the system uses passive calibrated tube sections that naturally provide pressure drop through their geometry and length. These tube sections act as simple, reliable intermediaries that reduce pressure without requiring complex control mechanisms, thereby minimizing both device complexity and cost while protecting the polymer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If water pump pressure is set above the highest well pressure, then all wells can be supplied, but pressure differential causes greater polymer degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reduction system is segmented into multiple calibrated tube sections that can be selectively connected in series. Each section provides a specific pressure drop (e.g., 5-10 bars). By configuring different numbers and combinations of these sections, the system can adapt to varying well pressures while keeping the pressure differential across each individual section within optimal limits to minimize polymer degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic configuration through bypass valves that allow operators to adjust the number and arrangement of active calibrated tube sections based on each well's specific pressure requirements. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to serve wells across a wide pressure range (e.g., 50-150 bars) while optimizing the pressure differential in each section to reduce polymer degradation.
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 apparatus effectively reduces injection pressure with less than 10% mechanical degradation of the polymer, meeting the demand for a simple, cost-effective, and flexible solution for managing pressure variations in oil well injections.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure reduction by vortex effect with a tube equipped with opercula creating a vortex effect
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling the injection pressure of a aqueous polymeric solution in an oil well, said apparatus being formed by: - at least one pressure modulation valve, allowing, per valve, a maximum pressure loss of 5 bars practically without any mechanical deterioration, said one or more valves being connected in line with; - a tube containing vortex modules, each creating a maximum pressure loss of 5 bars, practically without any mechanical deterioration, a vortex module being a section of tube, closed at one of its ends by a lid perforated with a hole, and being able to be inserted into the detachable tube; the purpose of the apparatus being that of being able to reduce the pressure to 100 bars with total mechanical deterioration of less than 10%. A method for using said apparatus.