Fluid distribution system and method utilizing a radial splitter

• US 5,670,093 A
• Filed: 02/14/1996
• Issued: 09/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Original Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Inventors: Payne, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILES, TIM
• Application Number:
  US08/601,200
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 261/20, 261/DIG. 75, 261/76, 166/274, 166/275
• US Class Current: 261/20
• CPC Class Codes: B09C 1/00 Reclamation of contaminated soil
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/068 having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells cementing-heads E21B33/05
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/16 Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/75 Flowing liquid aspirates gas

Abstract

A system for distributing a fluid to a plurality of locations, in which a first conduit is provided receiving the fluid and a splitter is provided having a housing in flow communication with the first conduit for receiving the fluid. At least two branch conduits extend from the first conduit and parallel to the axis of the housing for respectively receiving portions of said fluid.

Claims

1. A system for distributing a multiphase fluid to a plurality of locations, said system comprising a first conduit extending in a first direction for receiving a mixture of two fluids at a predetermined ratio of said fluids, a first splitter connected to said first conduit for splitting the mixture of said fluids into a first plurality of streams conducted through branch conduits extending parallel to and radially spaced from the first direction, each of said branch conduits including another splitter for splitting the mixture of fluids into another plurality of streams conducted through additional branch conduits extending parallel to and radially spaced from the first direction.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mixer disposed in said conduits upstream of each of said splitters for mixing said fluid.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said first conduit receives a first fluid, and further comprising a means for introducing a second fluid into said first conduit for forming said mixture of said fluids at said predetermined ratio.

4. A system for distributing a multiphase fluid to a plurality of drillsite locations each having a plurality of production wells, said system comprising a first conduit extending in a first direction for receiving a mixture of two fluids at a predetermined ratio of said fluids, means connected to said first conduit for splitting the mixture of said fluids into a first plurality of streams conducted through branch conduits extending parallel to and radially spaced from the first direction, each of said branch conduits including further means for splitting the mixture of fluids into another plurality of streams conducted through additional branch conduits extending parallel to and radially spaced from the first direction, and means upstream of each splitter for mixing said fluid.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein each of said splitting means comprises a housing having a single inlet and a plurality of outlets.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said first conduit receives a first fluid, and further comprising means for introducing a second fluid into said first conduit for forming said mixture of said fluids at said predetermined ratio.

7. A method for distributing a multiphase fluid to a plurality of locations, said method comprising the steps of flowing a mixture of two fluids at a predetermined ratio of said fluids through a conduit extending in a first direction, splitting said mixture into a plurality of streams conducted through branch conduits extending parallel to and radially spaced from the first direction, and splitting the mixture of fluids again in each of the branch conduits into another plurality of streams conducted through additional branch conduits extending parallel to and radially spaced from the first direction.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of forming a mixture comprises the steps of introducing a first fluid into said conduit and introducing a second fluid into said conduit for forming said mixture at said predetermined ratio.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of mixing said fluids in said conduits before each of said steps of splitting.

10. A system for distributing a multiphase fluid to a plurality of drillsite locations each having a plurality of production wells, said system comprising a first conduit extending in a vertical direction for receiving a mixture of two fluids at a predetermined ratio of said fluids, a first housing having an inlet in flow communication with said first conduit for receiving said mixture, and at least two branch conduits extending from said housing for splitting said mixture, and respectively receiving portions of said mixture, the axes of said branch conduits extending in a spaced, parallel relation to the axis of said first conduit to reduce the effect of momentum on said predetermined ratio of said mixture as it passed through said first housing, and a second housing in each of said branch conduits for receiving said mixture therein, said second housing splitting said mixture received into a plurality of additional branch conduits each extending in a spaced parallel relationship to said axes.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for varying the flow of said mixture through said branch conduits downstream of said housing, said predetermined ratio being maintained after said variance of said flow.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising a mixer disposed in said conduits upstream of each of said splitters for mixing said fluids.