Gas capable frangible disc barrier valve
AssigneeNine Downhole Technologies, LLC
InventorsW. Lynn Frazier, Steven Bailey, Ronald Abt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A downhole temporary pressure isolation tool configured to withstand very high gas pressures at high temperatures may be achieved by a variety of configurations, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, a barrier valve having one or more frangible discs configured to resist fluid flow in a particular specified duration. In some implementations, the barrier valve may achieve a V0 rating. In one embodiment, for example, a barrier valve may prevent the passage of fluid (i.e., gas and/or liquid) at 15,000 psi and a temperature of 400 degrees F. for at least 15 minutes. If the barrier valve has two frangible ceramic discs, it may prevent the passage of fluid from two directions for at least 15 minutes.
Claims25
A barrier valve comprising:
- a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage through the barrier valve and having a diameter;
- an annular cartridge sized to fit concentrically within the passage, the cartridge having an outer surface and an inner surface;
- a frangible disc composed of a ceramic material and comprising an annular portion sized to fit concentrically within the annular cartridge and a curved portion that extends outward from one end of the annular portion to block the flow of fluid therethrough, the annular portion having an outer surface with a surface roughness of less than 64 micro inches (rms);
- a first elastomeric member between the outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the housing;
- a second elastomeric member between the outer surface of the annular portion of the frangible disc and the inner surface of the cartridge;
- and
- a viscous lubricant on the outer surface of the second elastomeric member such that the lubricant penetrates imperfections in the frangible disc in at least the vicinity of the second elastomeric member;
- wherein the barrier valve prevents the flow of gas in a direction through the passage for a duration of 15 minutes at a pressure of 10,000 psi and a temperature of 350 degrees F. when the frangible disc, the cartridge, and the elastomeric members are mounted therein;
- wherein the lubricant is an oil with a viscosity between 50,000 centistokes and 125,000 centistokes.
A barrier valve comprising:
- a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage through the barrier valve and having a diameter;
- an annular cartridge sized to fit concentrically within the passage, the cartridge having an outer surface and an inner surface;
- a frangible disc composed of a ceramic material and comprising an annular portion sized to fit concentrically within the annular cartridge and a curved portion that extends outward from one end of the annular portion and blocks the flow of fluid through the frangible disc, the annular portion having a total indicated runout of less than 0.045 inches between its inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having a surface roughness of less than 64 micro inches (rms);
- a first elastomeric member between the outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the housing;
- a second elastomeric member between the outer surface of the annular portion of the frangible disc and the inner surface of the cartridge;
- and
- a viscous lubricant on the outer surface of the second elastomeric member such that the lubricant penetrates imperfections in the frangible disc in at least the vicinity of the second elastomeric member;
- wherein the barrier valve prevents the flow of gas in a direction through the passage for a duration of 15 minutes at a pressure of 10,000 psi and a temperature of 350 degrees F. when the frangible disc, the cartridge, and the elastomeric members are mounted therein;
- wherein the lubricant is an oil with a viscosity between 50,000 centistokes and 125,000 centistokes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.