HTHP pressure relief tool

• US 9,375,715 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2015
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
• Inventors: Norwood, John D., Lukay, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barss, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/594,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20150211651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0684 Venting, avoiding backpressure, avoid gas bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/567 Valves, taps or stop-cocks in combination with burettes B01L3/0203; in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2823 raw oil, drilling fluid or polyphasic mixtures hydrocarbon content of earth materials G01N33/241; prospecting G01V; drilling per se E21B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1632 Destructible element

Abstract

A pressure relief tool including a stem connected to a plunger assembly, a plunger rod slidably retained in the plunger assembly and the stem, a stem connector for connecting the stem to a test cell vent opening, a handle operably connected to the plunger rod, and a vent tube extending from said plunger assembly, the vent tube fluidly connected to an annular opening within the stem. A method of opening a blockage and venting pressure from a high temperature high pressure test cell includes attaching a pressure relief tool of the present invention to the test cell vent opening; advancing the plunger rod through the vent opening, puncturing the blockage in the test cell to allow fluid flow to the vent opening, and allowing fluid to exit the test cell through the annular opening in the stem and the vent tube.

Claims

1. A pressure relief tool apparatus for a test cell, comprising:

a plunger assembly;

a plunger rod;

a handle;

a stem;

a stem connector; and

a vent opening;

wherein

said stem is connected to said plunger assembly;

said plunger rod is slidably retained within said plunger assembly and said stem;

said stem connector is adapted to connect said stem to a test cell;

said handle is operably connected to said plunger assembly;

said plunger rod is adapted to be slidably movable by manipulation of said handle; and

said vent opening is adapted to provide fluid flow from an annular opening intermediate an exterior surface of said plunger rod and an interior surface of said stem.

2. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said stem connector comprises threading adapted to connectively engage corresponding threading in said test cell.

3. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable pin;

wherein said stem and said plunger assembly are disconnectable from each other by removal of said pin.

4. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle is threadingly connected to said plunger assembly.

5. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 4, wherein said plunger assembly comprises a collar to which said handle is threadingly connected.

6. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vent opening is adapted to provide fluid flow from an annular opening intermediate an exterior surface of said plunger rod and an interior surface of said plunger assembly.

7. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plunger guide adapted to center said plunger rod in said plunger assembly.

8. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connector proximate said vent opening for fluidly connecting said vent opening to an external venting structure.

9. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 8, wherein said external venting structure comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of:

A. a connector;

B. a vent connector; and

C. a vent tube.

10. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plunger rod comprises hardened steel.

11. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plunger rod is fixedly attached to said handle.

12. The pressure relief tool apparatus of claim 1, wherein said manipulation of said handle comprises rotation of said handle in relation to said plunger assembly.

13. A method of venting pressure from a test cell, comprising:

fluidly connecting a pressure relief tool to a test cell;

wherein said pressure relief tool comprises;

a plunger rod; and

a vent opening; and

wherein said test cell;

comprises a cell vent opening; and

contains material disposed therein that prevents fluid flow through said

cell vent opening; and

operating said pressure relief tool to advance said plunger rod through said cell vent opening into said test cell to displace at least a portion of said material, thereby permitting fluid flow through said cell vent opening and through said vent opening.

14. The method of venting pressure from a test cell of claim 13, further comprising withdrawing said plunger rod at least partially from said test cell.

15. The method of venting pressure from a test cell of claim 13, wherein said pressure relief tool further comprises a connector proximate said vent opening for fluidly connecting said vent opening to an external venting structure.

16. A method of venting pressure from a test cell, comprising:

fluidly connecting a pressure relief tool to a test cell;

wherein said pressure relief tool comprises;

a plunger assembly;

a plunger rod;

a handle;

a stem;

a stem connector; and

a vent opening;

wherein

said stem is connected to said plunger assembly;

said plunger rod is slidably retained within said plunger assembly and said stem;

said stem connector is adapted to connect said stem to said test cell;

said handle is operably connected to said plunger assembly;

said plunger rod is adapted to be slidably movable by manipulation of said handle; and

said vent opening is adapted to provide fluid flow from an annular opening intermediate an exterior surface of said plunger rod and an interior surface of said stem; and

wherein said test cell;

comprises a cell vent opening; and

contains material disposed therein that prevents fluid flow through said cell vent opening; and

operating said pressure relief tool to advance said plunger rod through said cell vent opening into said test cell to displace at least a portion of said material, thereby permitting fluid flow through said cell vent opening and through said vent opening.

17. The method of venting pressure from a test cell of claim 16, further comprising withdrawing said plunger rod at least partially from said test cell.

18. The method of venting pressure from a test cell of claim 16, wherein said pressure relief tool further comprises a connector proximate said vent opening for fluidly connecting said vent opening to an external venting structure.