High integrity protection system for hydrocarbon flow lines
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorsMohammad R. Al Khunaizi, Rashid D. Al Hajri, Anthony E. Kakpovbia, Fahad A. Al-Hindas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high integrity protection system includes a flow line including an inlet configured to be connected to a first source of pressure and an outlet configured to be connected to a downstream system. A first subsystem is installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet. A second subsystem is installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet, and the second subsystem is in a parallel flow configuration in relation to the first subsystem. The system includes a second source of pressure configured to be fluidically connected to the first subsystem and the second subsystem.
Claims19
A high integrity protection system (HIPS) comprising:
- a flow line comprising:
- an inlet configured to be connected to a first source of pressure;
- and
- an outlet configured to be connected to a downstream system configured to withstand pressure up to a predetermined pressure threshold value;
- a first subsystem installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet, the first subsystem configured to protect the downstream system by isolating the flow line from the downstream system when pressure within the first subsystem is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure threshold value;
- a second subsystem installed on the flow line between the inlet and the outlet, the second subsystem in a parallel flow configuration in relation to the first subsystem, the second subsystem configured to protect the downstream system by isolating the flow line from the downstream system when pressure within the second subsystem is equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure threshold value;
- and
- a second source of pressure configured to be fluidically connected to the first subsystem and the second subsystem, wherein:
- while the first source of pressure provides fluidic pressure to the first subsystem, the second subsystem is configured to be isolated from the flow line and the first subsystem, the second source of pressure is configured to provide fluidic pressure to the second subsystem to test a fluidic integrity of the second subsystem, and the second source of pressure is configured to be isolated from the first subsystem;
- and
- while the first source of pressure provides fluidic pressure to the second subsystem, the first subsystem is configured to be isolated from the flow line and the second subsystem, the second source of pressure is configured to provide fluidic pressure to the first subsystem to test a fluidic integrity of the first subsystem, and the second source of pressure is configured to be isolated from the second subsystem.
A method for safety testing of a high integrity protection system (HIPS), the method comprising:
- for a flow line comprising a first subsystem and a second subsystem in a parallel flow configuration in relation to each other,
- providing, by a first source of pressure, fluidic pressure in the flow line;
- directing fluid flow from the first source of pressure through the first subsystem;
- and
- while directing fluid flow through the first subsystem:
- isolating the second subsystem from the first source of pressure and the first subsystem;
- providing, by a second source of pressure, fluidic pressure in the second subsystem to at least a predetermined pressure threshold value;
- conducting a stroke test on the second subsystem;
- and
- conducting a leak test on the second subsystem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.