Controlled pressure equalization
AssigneeOneSubsea IP UK Limited
InventorStig Kaare Kanstad
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for controlled equalization of fluid pressure are described. The system can include a flow restricting nozzle in line with an accumulator which together provide a gradual, controlled equalization of pressure between two locations. For example, in the subsea environment, the pressures can vary between a subsea processing station and a subsea flow line. The systems can be configured as ROV retrievable, or they can be integrated into the subsea processing station. In some cases, more than one accumulator and/or more than one flow restricting nozzles can be used in the system to provide for versatility and robustness.
Claims15
A method of controllably decreasing a pressure difference between a higher pressure volume and a lower pressure volume, the method comprising:
- opening a first valve thereby allowing fluid communication along a fluid flow line between said higher pressure volume and an accumulator such that pressure in said accumulator matches the pressure in said higher pressure volume;
- and
- after said pressure matching, opening a second valve thereby allowing fluid communication along said fluid flow line between said lower pressure volume, a flow restricting nozzle and said accumulator, the combination of said accumulator and said nozzle providing a transition between the pressures of said higher and lower pressure volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.