EROSION RESISTANT FLOW CONDUIT

• US 20140166149A1
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Specialized Desanders, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Specialized Tech, Inc. (Specialized Desanders, Inc.)
• Inventors: HEMSTOCK, Christopher A
• Granted Patent: US 9,182,066 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 138/155
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/03 Well heads; Setting-up thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 23/16 characterised by the sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/002 and formed from sheet having a circular passage
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 43/007 made of concrete, cement or asbestos-cement
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 57/06 against wear F16L57/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2861 for pipe sections by testing its exterior surface

Abstract

A particulate-accommodating fluid flow directing apparatus comprises a failure detection housing containing a flow directing insert, the housing serving as a pressure boundary; failure at any location along the insert being detectable by means associated with the housing. The insert can be manufactured of erosion resistant materials, including non-ductile materials such as ceramics. The insert is sealed to the housing at an inlet and a discharge forming a pressure chamber between the insert and housing. The pressure chamber can be maintained at a pad pressure complementary to the process pressure, the pad pressure being maintained and monitored for indication of insert failure.

Claims

1. Flow directing apparatus for conveying a fluid flow comprising:

a housing forming a pressure boundary; and

a flow directing insert fit sealably within the housing for forming a pressure chamber about the insert and between the insert and the housing, the insert having an inlet end for receiving the fluid flow and a discharge end for discharging the fluid flow.

2. The flow directing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the insert is replaceable.

3. The flow directing apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the inlet end is sealed to the housing at an inlet seal; and

the discharge end is sealed to the housing at a discharge seal.

4. The flow directing apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the fluid flow contains particulates; and

the insert is a wear resistant material resistive to erosion from the particulates.

5. The flow directing apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wear resistant material is a non-ductile material.

6. The flow directing apparatus of claim 5 wherein the wear resistant material is a ceramic.

7. The flow directing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow has a process pressure and the pressure chamber has a pad pressure.

8. The flow directing apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a pressure monitor connected to the pressure chamber for detecting a pressure change in the pad pressure being indicative of failure of the insert.

9. The flow directing apparatus of claim 7 wherein a pressure differential is maintained between the process pressure and the pad pressure.

10. The flow directing apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

a make-up pressure source in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for maintaining the pressure differential between the process pressure and pad pressure.

11. The flow directing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid flow has a process pressure and the pressure chamber is maintained at a pad pressure, further comprising:

a pad pressure maintenance system for maintaining the pad pressure relative to the process pressure.

12. The flow directing apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pressure monitor connected to the pressure chamber for detecting a pressure change indicative of failure of the insert.

13. The flow directing apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pad pressure maintenance system further comprises a bleed port formed in the insert for pressure maintenance, with restricted flow therethrough, between the fluid flow and the pressure chamber.

14. The flow directing apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pad pressure maintenance system further comprises a make-up pressure source and a regulator for introducing make-up pressure as necessary to maintain a differential pressure between the fluid flow and the pressure chamber.

15. The flow directing apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pad pressure maintenance system further comprises:

a make-up pressure source and a regulator for introducing make-up pressure as necessary to maintain a differential pressure between the fluid flow and the pressure chamber.

16. The flow directing apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pressure chamber contains a fluid pad of liquid and the pad pressure maintenance system further comprises:

a make-up pressure source of gas at a make-up pressure; and

a isolation chamber forming a cylinder and having a piston movable therein, the piston intermediate the make-up pressure source and the fluid pad.

17. The flow directing apparatus of claim 16 wherein:

the chamber is stepped and the piston is stepped; and

the piston has a first smaller area in fluid communication with the process pressure and a larger second area in fluid communication with the fluid pad. for automatically maintaining the pad pressure at a pressure lower than the process pressure.

18. The flow directing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure chamber contains a fluid pad of liquid.

19. A flow bend in wellhead piping comprising the flow directing apparatus of claim 1.

20. A flow bend in wellhead piping comprising the flow directing apparatus of claim 11.