Wellhead Ejector Chemical Dosing for Pump-Free Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corrosion inhibitor injection pumps in gas pipelines are prone to failures, leading to production losses and system integrity issues due to pipe leakage, necessitating reliable and efficient chemical dosage control systems.
Innovation Solution
A wellhead system incorporating a fluid circuit with a pressure control valve and ejector device that automatically adjusts chemical dosage based on real-time flow data, ensuring a stable and efficient mixture of corrosion inhibitors, replacing reciprocating pumps to enhance reliability and reduce maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reciprocating pumps are used for corrosion inhibitor injection, then chemical dosage can be delivered, but pump failures occur leading to production losses and system integrity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reciprocating pump system with an ejector device that uses fluid dynamics (Venturi effect) to mix and inject corrosion inhibitors. This eliminates mechanical moving parts prone to failure, directly resolving the reliability issue while maintaining continuous chemical dosage delivery to prevent production losses
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles through the ejector device, where high-velocity fluid flow creates a vacuum to draw corrosion inhibitor from the tank and mix it with the process fluid. This hydraulic system replaces the mechanical pump, improving reliability by eliminating mechanical components that fail
2Extent of automation
If pressure control valve and ejector device are used, then automatic chemical dosage adjustment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system with sensors that monitor chemical dosage and fluid flow, providing feedback to the pressure control valve. This automatic feedback loop enables precise dosage adjustment without manual intervention, achieving automation while the control system integrates seamlessly with the existing ejector device
Solution Approach 2:
The ejector device serves multiple functions: it mixes the corrosion inhibitor with process fluid, delivers the chemical dosage, and the system integrates pressure control and flow measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing device complexity while achieving automatic dosage control
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 provides automatic chemical dosage adjustments, reduces turbulence, and improves system reliability, availability, and integrity by controlling fluid flow patterns, thereby minimizing production losses and maintenance expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The ejector device is fluidly connected to the branch line and is configured to draw a chemical from the tank via the tank fluid line. The ejector device is configured to produce a mixture that includes the fluid from the wellhead flowing in the branch fluid line with the chemical flowing the tank fluid line.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellhead system includes a wellhead, a fluid line extending from the wellhead, a branch line fluidly connected to the fluid line at an inlet and at an outlet, an ejector device arranged on the branch line, a tank fluidly connected by a tank fluid line to the ejector device, and a pressure control valve arranged on the branch line upstream of the ejector device. The ejector device is configured to produce a mixture that includes the fluid from the wellhead flowing in the branch fluid line with a chemical flowing the tank fluid line. The ejector device is also configured to discharge the mixture downstream of the ejector device. The pressure control valve is configured to control the flow of a fluid entering the ejector device.