Method and apparatus for splitting two-phase gas-liquid flows having a known flow profile

• US 4,574,837 A
• Filed: 09/29/1983
• Issued: 03/11/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Greebe, Frans, Aggour, Mohamed A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers, A. Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fox, John C.
• Application Number:
  US06/536,940
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 137/561 A, 137/625.3, 137/887, 137/8, 137/9, 137/154, 137/171, 251/118, 406/55, 406/, 406/81, 55/263, 55/307, 55/349, 166/303, 138/37, 138/39
• US Class Current: 137/561.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/00 Branching pipes; Joining pipes to walls F16L39/00 takes precedence ; characterised by couplings of the quick-acting type F16L37/008; specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics F16L47/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85938 Non-valved flow dividers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for diverting a portion of a two-phase fluid from a trunk pipeline, having a known flow profile, into a branch pipeline while maintaining substantially equal quality in both pipelines. Openings are placed in the trunk pipeline wall such that fluid samples which approximate the flow profile are withdrawn through the openings. The withdrawn fluid is collected in an enclosed chamber and transported through the branch pipeline.

Claims

1. An apparatus for diverting a stream of a flowing fluid into a branch pipeline from a substantially horizontal trunk pipeline having an upper wall and a lower wall, while maintaining quality in said branch pipeline substantially equal to quality in said trunk pipeline, said fluid comprising two fluid phases and having a known flow profile, the apparatus which comprises:

(a) a section in said trunk pipeline having a first plurality of apertures through said upper wall of said trunk pipeline and a second plurality of apertures through said lower wall of said trunk pipeline, said apertures being sized and spaced circumferentially about said pipeline based upon said known flow profile, said first plurality of apertures having a total cross-sectional area greater than the total cross-sectional area of said second plurality of apertures;

(b) a housing surrounding said section to form an annular chamber; and

(c) a conduit attached to said housing to allow fluid to flow from said chamber into said branch pipeline.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apertures are perforations.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apertures are slots.

4. An apparatus for diverting a stream of a flowing fluid into a branch pipeline from a substantially horizontal trunk pipeline having an upper wall and a lower wall, while maintaining quality in said branch pipeline substantially equal to quality in said trunk pipeline, said fluid comprising at least two fluid phases and having a known flow profile, the apparatus which comprises:

(a) a section of said trunk pipeline having a first slot through the upper wall of said trunk pipeline and a second slot through the lower wall of said pipeline wall, each said slot allowing fluid to flow through the wall of said horizontal pipeline, said first slot having a cross-sectional area greater than said second slot; and

(b) a housing surrounding said section to form an annular chamber and enclose said first and second slots, said housing having a conduit attached to said housing to allow fluid to flow into said branch pipeline.

5. A method for diverting a stream of wet steam from a trunk pipeline into a branch pipeline, while maintaining quality in said branch pipeline substantially equal to quality in said trunk pipeline, said fluid having a known flow profile, said method which comprises:

(a) withdrawing a portion of said wet steam from said trunk pipeline through a plurality of apertures in the wall of said trunk pipeline said apertures being sized and spaced circumferentially about said pipeline based on said known flow profile;

(b) collecting said portion in an annular chamber which surrounds said apertures; and

(c) withdrawing said portion from said annular chamber into said branch pipeline.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said apertures are perforations.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said apertures are slots.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the total area of said apertures is substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of said branch pipeline.