Wellhead Valve Actuation With Bleed-Off Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements for wellheads struggle to reliably open when the pressure difference across the movable member is insufficient, leading to issues with fluid flow and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement featuring a housing with a through channel, a piston-cylinder arrangement, and an actuator rod, where a bleed-off port is integrated to facilitate manual operation and fluid injection, allowing for reliable opening of the valve even under high pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is designed to open automatically by elastic element when injection fluid is fed, then the valve provides reliable one-way fluid flow, but the valve will not open when pressure difference across the movable member is insufficient due to higher pressure on the annulus side
Solution Approach 1:
A bleed-off port is introduced as an intermediary element to relieve excess pressure on the annulus side of the valve. This port provides a controlled pathway for pressure equalization, enabling the valve to open when previously prevented by excessive pressure differential, while maintaining reliable one-way flow when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement is segmented into distinct functional zones: the valve body, the movable member, and the bleed-off port system. This segmentation allows independent control of the sealing function and the pressure relief function, enabling the valve to operate reliably across varying pressure conditions.
2Ease of operation
If special arrangements are added to force the valve open for bleeding or venting fluid, then the valve can be opened under high pressure conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed-off port is merged with the existing valve body structure, eliminating the need for separate forcing mechanisms. The port is integrated into the housing and works in conjunction with the movable member to provide both automatic opening and manual bleeding capabilities through a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed-off port serves multiple functions: it enables manual opening of the valve under high pressure conditions, provides a pathway for bleeding or venting fluid, and works with the elastic element to facilitate automatic opening. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized arrangements for each operation.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for valve actuation and fluid injection, then each function can be optimized independently, but the component count and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to integrate multiple functions: it contains the movable member, provides the bleed-off port, and includes the through channel for fluid injection. This merging of functions into a single integrated housing reduces the component count while maintaining reliable fluid flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves as a multi-functional component: it acts as the valve body, provides pressure relief through the bleed-off port, and facilitates fluid injection via the through channel. This universal design reduces the number of separate components needed while optimizing each function within the unified structure.
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 solution reduces leakage and component count, providing a simpler, more compact, and cost-effective valve arrangement that ensures reliable fluid flow and manual operation, addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure difference across the movable member of the valve is such that the valve will not open when injection fluid is fed into the valve
Implementation Method 2
it closes automatically by means of an elastic element when the infeed of injection fluid stops
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement for a wellhead of a hydrocarbon well comprises a valve for mounting in a port of a wellhead, and an actuator device for actuating the valve to move to an open position. The actuator device comprises a housing having a through channel extending between a first end, at which the valve is mounted, and a second end. The housing comprises at least one first port that leads into the through channel. The actuator device further comprises an actuator rod that is movably arranged in the through channel and configured to open the valve by the actuator rod being movable between at least a first position and a second position, and a control device arranged to control the movement of the actuator rod.