RU2588104C2 - Self-contained valve equipped with temperature-sensitive device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to mining and can be used for regulation of inflow to production pipeline. A valve or flow control device for control on basis of Bernoulli effect, fluid flow from one area or region to another, in particular for controlling flow of fluid, such as oil and/or gas containing water from oil or gas reservoir in mining wells pipeline oil and/or gas reservoir, from inlet on inlet side to outlet side of device at outlet. Valve comprises a movable valve element configured to actuation temperature sensitive device. Valve gate is made with possibility of its movement sensitive to temperature device in closing direction in response to excess of specified value of temperature of fluid surrounding valve and/or incident inside valve. Valve device is designed so that temperature sensitive device comprises an expanding mechanism, which is a sealed structure at least partially filled with expandable material. Said expandable material, and therefor said expanding mechanism, are configured to, in excess of a predetermined value of fluid temperature to expand and thereby cause movement of movable valve shutter in closing direction. Valve has a passage of flow from inlet to outlet, a portion of which directs fluid flow along surface of movable valve shutter so as to be capable of autonomous movement of movable valve shutter control based on Bernoulli effect said fluid flow when movable valve element is not moved temperature-sensitive device in direction of closure.

EFFECT: technical result is to improve efficiency of control of pipeline flow.

16 cl, 7 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a temperature sensitive autonomous valve device and a method for its use. The valve can be used, for example, to supply a constant mass flow of hydrocarbons to the production pipeline in the wellbore.

Background of the Related Art

Devices for extracting oil and gas from long horizontal and vertical wells are known from publications No. 4,821,801, No. 4,858,69, No. 4,577,691 patents S.Sh.A. and British Patent Publication No. 2169018. These known devices include a perforated drainage pipe, for example, with a filter to combat sand formation around the pipe. A significant disadvantage of the known devices for oil and / or gas production in highly permeable geological formations is that as a result of hydraulic friction in the pipe, the pressure in the drain pipe increases exponentially in the upstream direction. Since, as a result, the pressure difference between the collector and the drainage pipe will decrease in the upstream direction, the amount of oil and / or gas flowing from the collector to the drainage pipe will accordingly decrease. Therefore, when such a tool is extracted, the total volume of oil and / or gas produced will be low. In the case of production in thin oil-bearing areas and geological formations with high permeability, there is also a high risk of cones forming, that is, an undesirable flow of water or gas into the drainage pipe downstream, where the flow rate of oil passing from the reservoir to the pipe is greatest .

When extracting oil from reservoirs using steam injection or combustion, the pressure difference can vary throughout the drain pipe. This can cause problems if the injected steam or flue gas reaches the valves used to drain the fluid from the reservoir into the production pipe, since many of these valves are not able to close to prevent steam or flue gas from entering the production pipe. In particular, if the pressure difference is relatively low, the flow of steam or flue gas can lead to a “short circuit” of the discharge pressure and production pressure. This will cause an even greater drop in the pressure difference, which will negatively affect the efficiency of the drainage process (expended pumping energy in relation to the volume of oil produced).

Another result of the existence of sections with a low pressure difference together with high temperature or local overheating is that low-viscosity fluid from the high-temperature areas of the reservoir will predominate on the inflow into the production pipe. In this case, the production pipe will have an undesirable inflow profile along its length.

As previously described in World Oil, Volume 212, No. 11 (11/91), pages 73-80, the drainage pipe can be divided into sections with one or more flow restriction devices, such as sliding couplings or throttling devices. However, in this work, it is mainly a question of controlling the inflow to limit its intensity in areas higher up the well and, thereby, eliminate or reduce the formation of water and / or gas cones.

Document WO-A-9208875 describes a horizontal production pipeline containing a plurality of production sections that are connected by mixing chambers having a larger inner diameter than the production sections. Production sites include an external slotted shank, which can be considered as a filter device. However, the sequence of sections of different diameters creates turbulence in the flow and prevents the passage of tools for repair work, acting along the outer surface of the production pipeline.

The devices disclosed in documents WO 2009/088292 and WO 2008/004875 are highly durable, can withstand heavy loads and high temperatures, prevent depression (changes in pressure difference), do not require energy supply, withstand sand, and are reliable, have a simple design and very cheap. However, despite this, a number of improvements can be made to increase the efficiency and durability of the aforementioned devices, in which various embodiments of WO 2009/088292 and WO 2008/004875 disclose a butterfly valve in the form of a disk.

When extracting oil and / or gas from productive geological formations, fluids of different quality, that is, oil, gas, water (and sand), are produced in different quantities and proportions depending on the properties or quality of the formation. None of the aforementioned known devices is capable of distinguishing between which fluid flows - oil, gas or water, comparing their relative composition and / or quality, as well as controlling their flow. In particular, the known devices do not have the ability to properly control changes in the inflow into the production pipeline by changes in the pressure difference caused by changes in temperature. Patent application WO 2008/004875 discloses a temperature-sensitive valve, but the proposed solution involves bending a movable valve shutter by means of a bimetallic element. The proposed solution is quite complicated and requires an expensive valve, subject to wear due to repeated deformation. Patent application WO 2005/103443 discloses a temperature-sensitive valve, the shutter of which is made of a material with a coefficient of linear expansion greater than this coefficient for the material of the pipeline of the well. As the temperature rises, the valve gate expands more than the borehole pipeline and moves toward the closed position, blocking the passage. This solution gives a relatively long response time, which is the reason for the passage of a large amount of gas and / or hot liquid into the drainage pipeline, disrupting the flow passing through it.

The present invention provides an improved valve mechanism designed to minimize problems associated with changes in inflow into the production pipeline due to temperature changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a self-adjusting valve and method, as set forth in the attached claims.

The present invention preferably provides an inflow control device or valve that is self-regulating or self-contained. The invention can also be adapted to other types of controlled valves suitable for this purpose. A common feature of the valves in accordance with the invention is the ability to automatically close the valve and prevent inflow into the production pipeline, in response to an increase in the temperature of the fluid surrounding the valve and / or entering the valve mechanism. Inflow control devices can easily be installed in the wall of the production pipeline and do not interfere with the use of tools for repair work. The device is configured to “distinguish” oil and / or gas and / or water, and also has the ability to control the flow or influx of oil or gas, depending on which of these fluids is required to apply such flow control.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a self-regulating valve or flow control device for controlling, based on the Bernoulli effect, a fluid flow from one space or region to another, in particular for controlling a fluid flow, for example oil and / or gas, including any water from the reservoir to the production pipeline of the well in the reservoir of oil and / or gas. The production pipeline may include a lower drainage pipe, preferably divided into one or more sections, each of which includes one or more inflow control devices, allowing the production geological formation and the internal flow space of the drainage pipe to communicate in fluid. The fluid may flow between the inlet on the inlet side facing the formation and the outlet on the outlet side of the device facing the inside of the production pipe. The valve further comprises a movable valve shutter configured to actuate it by a temperature sensitive device. The valve shutter is arranged to move it in the closing direction under the influence of a temperature-sensitive device in response to a predetermined increase in the temperature of the fluid surrounding the valve and / or entering the valve.

The temperature-sensitive device may be a hermetically expanding mechanism, at least partially filled with material, expanding significantly with increasing temperature of the fluid surrounding the device. Preferably, the expansion is sufficient to substantially or completely close the valve when the temperature of the fluid surrounding the temperature-sensitive device rises above a predetermined value. Such expansion can be achieved, for example, by choosing a material that changes its phase state at a given temperature. An example of such a material that changes its phase state is a liquid that boils at a given temperature or above it. The fluid is selected depending on the location of the production pipeline. For example, under normal operating conditions, a production pipeline located at a depth of 300 meters is affected by a pressure of 25 to 30 bar at a temperature of 250-290 ° C. In order to prevent a sudden influx of steam with a higher temperature through the valve, the expanding mechanism can be filled with an alcohol-water mixture boiling, for example, at 280 ° C. In the process of an undesirable increase in the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve, the expanding mechanism can expand by moving the movable valve gate in the closing direction when the fluid temperature exceeds the specified set value. In this way, the valve can be closed to prevent boiling or instantly evaporating water from entering the production line. Instantaneous evaporation or boiling can occur at a relatively low pressure difference across the inflow control device. If boiling or instantly evaporating water is allowed to enter the production pipeline, this can lead to a “short circuit” of the discharge pressure and production pressure and, as a result, to further reduce the pressure difference. This will adversely affect drainage efficiency, as mentioned earlier. Other unwanted fluids that can be prevented from entering the production pipeline are hot production gases or flue gases, which are used to increase well productivity.

To control the opening and closing of the valve when the temperature changes, the expanding mechanism can be made with the possibility of contact with the fluid that surrounds the production pipeline or flows through the valve.

According to a first example, an expandable mechanism is located in a fluid chamber of the valve, comprising a movable valve gate, controlling the flow of fluid flowing through the valve. This example, as a rule, is used for stand-alone valves containing a chamber with a movable valve shutter in the form of a flat round disk or with a conical shutter with a flat base. The position of the movable gate valve is usually determined by the influx of fluid from the inlet facing the center of the movable valve gate, flowing radially outward through at least a portion of the movable gate valve in the discharge direction. An example of such a movable gate valve or disc is shown in WO 2008/004875 A1 and will be described in detail later on. In this example, the expanding mechanism is located on the opposite side of the disk relative to the fluid inlet. The expanding mechanism may be attached to a portion of the fluid chamber and configured to, upon expansion, come into contact with a movable valve shutter. Alternatively, the expandable mechanism may be attached to the movable valve gate and configured to, upon expansion, come into contact with the fluid chamber.

When an undesirable increase in the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve occurs, the hot fluid partially transfers heat to the expanding mechanism through the movable valve and partially, surrounding its outer edges, to the space between the chamber and the movable valve, where the expanding mechanism is located. If the expanding mechanism contains a fluid, then when the set temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve is exceeded, this fluid will change its phase state and begin to boil. This will cause the expansion of the expanding mechanism due to increased pressure and increased volume inside it. As the volume increases, the expanding mechanism will move the movable valve gate in the closing direction, and if the temperature rise is sufficient, the valve will eventually close.

According to a second example, the expanding mechanism is located in the fluid channel in series with the fluid flowing through the valve. In this example, the expanding mechanism is located in the channel through which all or part of the fluid flows before passing through the valve to be controlled. To act on the valve shutter in order to close the valve, the expanding mechanism is directly or indirectly connected to a movable valve shutter, or to an actuator controlling the specified valve. As it expands, the expanding mechanism moves the movable valve shutter in the closing direction and, when the temperature rises sufficiently, eventually closes the valve.

According to a third example, the expanding mechanism is located in the fluid channel parallel to the main fluid flow through the valve. In this example, the expanding mechanism is located in the channel through which only part of the fluid flow passes, which bypasses the valve to be controlled. In order to act on said valve gate in order to close the valve, the expandable mechanism is directly or indirectly attached to the movable valve gate or to the actuator controlling the valve. As it expands, the expanding mechanism moves the movable valve shutter in the closing direction and, when the temperature rises sufficiently, eventually closes the valve.

According to one embodiment, the expandable mechanism comprises a fluid with a boiling point lower than that of a hot fluid, such as water, at a pressure in the manifold surrounding the conduit. As indicated above, said fluid will change its phase state and begin to boil when hot formation fluid flows through the valve inlet and after the expanding mechanism exceeds a predetermined temperature. The increase in gas pressure inside the expanding mechanism caused by the evaporation of the liquid, in turn, will cause an increase in the volume of the expanding mechanism. This will lead to the movement of the movable valve, which is in contact with the expanding mechanism, or is under its direct or indirect influence. The fluid may contain alcohol, an alcohol-water mixture, or acetone. The fluid is selected depending on its boiling point at a given pressure, which in turn depends on the pressure exerted on the production pipeline at the location of the valve or inflow control device. The properties of the selected fluid determine the speed at which the valve can be closed. Thus, the basis for choosing the fluid used may be the scope of the device and the required reaction time of the autonomous valve.

The expanding mechanism may be a sealed container at least partially filled with a fluid. The container may have a predetermined overall shape, and at least partially be elastically deformable, or may be made in the form of a shapeless bag, the container being configured to expand in a given direction with increasing temperature. The container may have a predetermined basic shape, for example a cylinder, with corrugated or wavy side surfaces extending around a circle to allow expansion in a given direction. In the case of a valve with a movable valve, in the form of a disk located in the chamber, the end surfaces of the cylinder can be positioned so as to contact the movable valve and the camera, respectively. In this case, the cylinder can operate as a bellows, made with the possibility of expansion in a given direction.

Alternatively, the expandable mechanism may be a sealed flexible or resilient container, such as a bag. Such an elastic container can essentially be shapeless and expandable in all directions. The container is made with the possibility, when heated above the specified temperature, uniform expansion until then, until it is limited by a fixed surface and a displaceable component. In the case of a valve with a movable valve in the form of a disk located in the chamber, the container will be limited by the chamber wall and the disk. Further expansion of the container will move the disk. A flexible or resilient container of this type may also comprise at least one reinforced portion to facilitate container fastening. An additional reinforced section may be provided to provide contact between the expanding portion of the container and the movable valve or actuator to be biased.

As indicated above, the container constituting the expanding mechanism can be attached to a part of the fluid chamber and is configured to, upon expansion, come into contact with a movable valve shutter. Alternatively, the expandable mechanism may be attached to the movable valve shutter and configured to, upon expansion, act on the wall of the fluid chamber. These alternatives are preferred for containers with a basic shape and a given expansion direction. According to another alternative, the expandable mechanism can be held in position on a movable valve shutter or chamber wall using a holding means, without physically attaching to any of the components. This alternative is preferred for substantially shapeless containers that can expand uniformly in all directions.

Blueprints

Further, solely as an example, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are made for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to determine the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are intended only for a schematic representation of the structures and procedures described herein.

In FIG. 1 shows an autonomous valve mechanism equipped with a flow control device in accordance with the invention;

In FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a valve mechanism;

In FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a second valve arrangement;

In FIG. 3A shows the valve mechanism of FIG. 2A equipped with a thermally expanding mechanism in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

In FIG. 3B shows the valve mechanism of FIG. 2B equipped with a thermally expanding mechanism in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

In FIG. 4 shows a valve mechanism equipped with a thermally expanding mechanism in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and

In FIG. 5 shows a valve mechanism equipped with a thermally expanding mechanism in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1 shows a production line 11 with an opening into which an autonomous valve mechanism 12 is installed in accordance with the invention. Valve mechanism 12 is particularly useful in controlling fluid flow from an underground reservoir to a production wellbore 11 in an oil and / or gas reservoir between the inlet 13 on the inlet side and at least one outlet (not shown) on the exhaust side of the self-contained valve mechanism 12. The component comprising the overall self-contained valve mechanism is hereinafter referred to as the “valve mechanism”, while the active components necessary for flow control are generally e cases are called "flow control device". The inlet side of the autonomous valve mechanism 12 is located in the hole on the outer side 14 of the production pipeline 11, and the outlet side is located on the inner side 15 of the production pipeline 11. Hereinafter, the terms “internal” and “external” are used to determine the positions relative to the internal and external surfaces of the valve mechanism when it is installed on the pipe 11 (see Fig. 1). A valve suitable for use in the embodiments of the first example may be of the type described in WO 2008/004875 or in PCT / EP2011 / 050471.

In FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 12a as described in WO 2008/004875. The device consists of a first disk-shaped housing element 21 with an outer cylindrical part 22 and an inner cylindrical part 23 and a central hole or inlet 13a, and a second disk-shaped holding housing element 24 with an outer cylindrical part 25, and also preferably a flat disk or a freely movable valve shutter 26 located in an open recess or chamber 27 formed between the first disk-shaped housing element 21 and the second disk-shaped holding housing element 24. For individual applications and configurations, the valve shutter 26 may not have a flat shape, but have a partially conical or semicircular surface facing the inlet 13a. As can be seen from the figure, the cylindrical part 25 of the second disk-shaped holding case element 24 is placed inside and extends in the opposite direction of the outer cylindrical part 22 of the first disk-shaped case element 21, thereby forming a flow channel, the direction of which is indicated by arrows A, where the fluid enters the control device flow through a central hole or inlet 13a and flows toward the disk 26 and radially along it before flowing through the annular hole 28, forming between the cylindrical parts 23 and 25 and further outward through the annular hole or outlet 29 formed between the cylindrical parts 22 and 25. In FIG. 2A, due to the fact that the cut is made in the region where the solid support part (one of three such parts) passes between the cylindrical parts 22 and 25, it seems that the right side of the outlet 29 is blocked. In fact, the outlet 29 is not blocked and, in fact, is annular. In a later version of this valve, there were no such supporting parts, and the outlet 29 was open around the entire circumference. Two disk-shaped elements 21 and 24 are attached to each other by screw connections, welding or other means (not shown in the figure). The valve assembly assembly is removably mounted using the threaded connection shown in FIG. 2A, in an opening made in a production pipeline.

In operation, the inlet 13a is connected to the recess 27 through a central channel or hole through which fluid flows from the formation into the recess 27. Then, the fluid flows out of the recess 27 radially through a portion of the first valve gate surface 26a, with the first surface facing the inlet 13a and through the annular opening 28 of said valve shutter flows towards the annular outlet 29.

In the work of the present invention, the Bernoulli effect is used, according to which the sum of static pressure, dynamic pressure and friction is constant along the flow line:

For the valve of FIG. 2A, when a fluid flow acts on a movable valve gate or disc 26, as in the case of the present invention, the pressure difference across the disc 26 can be expressed as follows:

Due to the lower viscosity, a fluid such as gas will flow faster along the disk toward the outlet. This leads to a decrease in pressure in the section A2 above the disk, while the pressure acting on the section A3 under the disk 28 does not change. Since the disk 26 moves freely inside the recess, it will move upward, thereby narrowing the flow channel between the disk 26 and the first surface 26a of the recess 27. Thus, whether the disk 26 will move down or up depends on the viscosity of the fluid flowing through it, and therefore, this principle can be applied to control the flow of fluid flowing through the device.

In addition, the pressure drop in a traditional fixed flow geometry ICD (ICD, Inflow Control Device) with a fixed geometry will be proportional to the dynamic pressure:

where the constant K is mainly a function of geometry and to a lesser extent depends on the Reynolds number. In the control device of the present invention, with an increase in the pressure difference, the flow area will decrease so that the volume of flow flowing through the control device will not or almost will not increase with increasing pressure drop. Therefore, the volume of the flowing stream for the present invention is essentially constant and above this pressure difference. This is a major advantage of the present invention, as it can be used to provide a substantially constant volume of flow through each section of the horizontal well as a whole, which cannot be achieved using fixed flow control devices.

In oil and gas production, the flow control device in accordance with the invention can have two different applications: use as an inflow control device to reduce the flow of water or gas, or to maintain a constant flow through the flow control device. When designing the control device in accordance with the invention for various applications, such as maintaining a constant fluid flow, various areas and pressure zones will affect the efficiency and throughput properties of the device. Different pressure areas / zones (shown in Fig. 2A) can be divided into:

- A1, P1 are, respectively, the area of the inflow and pressure. The force (P1 * A1) created by this pressure at the inlet 13a will tend to open the control device (move the disk or shutter 28 down);

- A2, P2 are the area and pressure in the zone between the first surface 26a of the disk and the recess 27, where the flow rate will be the highest, and, therefore, is a source of dynamic pressure. This area is located between the inlet 13a and the annular hole 28 extending into the recess 27. The resulting dynamic pressure will tend to close the control device by moving the disk or shutter 26 upward as the flow rate increases and the pressure decreases.

- A3, P3 are the area and pressure on the annular hole 28 extending into the recess 27. The pressure should be the same as in the well (pressure at the inlet);

- A4, P4 are the area and pressure behind the movable disc or shutter 26 between the second surface 26b (opposite the first surface 26a) of the disc 26 and the recess 27. The pressure behind the movable disc or shutter should be equal to the pressure in the borehole (inlet pressure). In this case, the pressure will tend to move the valve upward in the closing direction of the control device as the flow rate increases.

Fluids with different viscosities, depending on the design of these zones, will generate different forces in each zone in order to optimize the efficiency and transmission properties of the control device, while the design of the zones will be different for different applications, for example, a flow with a constant volume, or gas / oil flow, or oil / water flow. Therefore, for each application, the areas must be carefully balanced and have an optimal design that takes into account the properties and physical conditions (viscosity, temperature, pressure, etc.) for each design situation.

In FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 12a described in PCT / EP2011 / 050471. The device consists of a first disk-shaped housing element 31 with a central or inlet 13b and a second disk-shaped holding housing element 34, and preferably a flat disk or a freely movable valve shutter 36 provided in an open recess or chamber 37 formed between the first disk-shaped housing element 31 and the second retaining housing element 34. For specific applications and configurations, the valve gate 36 may have a shape other than flat, and flush with a partially conical or semicircular surface facing the inlet 13b. The direction of flow through the valve mechanism is indicated by arrows A, the fluid entering the control device through the central or inlet 13b and flowing towards the disk 26 and radially along the outer periphery of the disk 26 before flowing through the radial holes 39 made in the second holding housing element 34. The valve assembly is removably mounted using the threaded connection shown in FIG. 2B, in the hole made in the production pipeline.

In operation, the inlet 13b is connected to the recess through a central channel or hole through which fluid flows into the recess 37 from the formation. Then, the fluid flows from the recess radially through the first valve gate surface 26a, which faces the central hole, and passing along the outer periphery of the valve gate surface, flows to at least one outlet opening 39, which in the valve mechanism can be oriented radially ( Fig. 2B) or axially.

The operation of the valve mechanism of FIG. 2B, like the valves of FIG. 2A, the Bernoulli effect lies, according to which the sum of the static pressure, dynamic pressure, and friction force is constant along the flow line. The main difference between these valves is that the area A3 is not included in the calculations for determining the pressure drop across the disk (Fig. 2A), since the outlet is located outside the periphery of the disk. In addition, in the valve mechanism shown in FIG. 2B, no static pressure is used on the A4 area from the bottom of the disk, since the fluid exits the chamber 37 radially outside the disk 26.

In FIG. 2A and 2B show the normal operation of this type of autonomous valve. The principle of operation of such a valve mechanism with a thermally expanding device in accordance with the invention is described with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

In FIG. 3A shows a valve mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 2A equipped with a thermally expandable device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The same reference numbers are used for the corresponding valve parts. In accordance with this example, an expanding bellows-shaped mechanism 20 is located in the fluid chamber of the valve 27 containing a movable valve shutter in the form of a disk 26, controlling the flow of fluid passing through the valve. The position of the disk 26 is usually determined by the flow of fluid flowing through the inlet 13a, facing the center of the disk 26, and flowing radially outward through at least a portion of the disk 26 towards the outlet 29. In this example, the bellows 20 is located on the back side a disc 26 relative to the fluid inlet 13 a. The bellows 20 comprises a first 20a and a second 20b, essentially flat end surfaces connected by a corrugated portion 20c. The hermetic expanding bellows 20 is at least partially filled with a fluid that, at a given temperature, changes its phase state. In this case, the first end surface 20a of the bellows 20 is attached to the wall portion of the fluid chamber 27 and is configured to, when expanding, come into contact with the disc 26. Alternatively, the expanding mechanism may be attached to the disc and is configured to, when expanding, enter in contact with a portion of the wall of the fluid chamber.

If the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve is undesirable, heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the bellows 20, partly through the disk 26 and partly through its outer edges, into the space between the chamber 27 and the disk 26, where the expanding mechanism is located. When the set temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve is exceeded, if the expanding mechanism contains a fluid, then the fluid will begin to boil. This will lead to expansion of the bellows 20 due to increased pressure and an increase in volume within said bellows 20. As it expands, the bellows 20 will move the disk 26 in the closing direction and, if the temperature rises sufficiently, will eventually close the valve.

The method for mounting a bellows to a wall portion described herein can also be applied to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B below.

In FIG. 3B shows a valve mechanism, as in FIG. 2B equipped with a thermally expandable device in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The same reference numbers are used for the corresponding valve parts. According to this example, an expanding bellows-shaped mechanism 30 is located in a valve fluid chamber 37 containing a disk-shaped movable valve shutter 36 that controls fluid flow through the valve. The position of the disk 36 is usually determined by the flow of fluid flowing through the inlet 13a, facing the center of the disk 36, and flowing radially outward through at least part of the disk 36 in the direction of the outlet 39. In this example, the bellows 30 is located on the back of the disk 36 relative to the fluid inlet 13a. The bellows 30 includes a first 30a and a second 30b, essentially flat end surfaces connected by a corrugated portion 30c. The sealed, expanding bellows 30 is at least partially filled with fluid material that changes its phase state at a given temperature. In this case, the first end surface 30a of the bellows 30 is attached to the disk 36 and is configured to, upon expansion, come into contact with a wall portion of the fluid chamber 37. Alternatively, the expanding mechanism may be attached to the disk and configured to, upon expansion, enter in contact with a portion of the wall of the fluid chamber.

If the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve is undesirably increased, heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the bellows 30, partly through the disk 36 and partly through its outer edges, into the space between the chamber 37 and the disk 36, where the expanding mechanism is located. When the set temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve is exceeded, if the expanding mechanism contains a fluid, then the fluid will begin to boil. This will lead to expansion of the bellows 30 due to increased pressure and an increase in volume within said bellows 30. As the expansion increases, the bellows 30 will move the disk 36 in the closing direction and, if the temperature rises sufficiently, will eventually close the valve.

The method for mounting a bellows to a disc described herein can also be applied to the embodiment shown above with reference to FIG. 3A.

The expanding mechanism described with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B is an airtight container in the form of a bellows, at least partially filled with fluid material. Alternatively, the container may have a predetermined overall shape, at least a portion of which is made susceptible to elastic deformation, or may be in the form of a bag that does not have any particular shape. In this case, the expanding mechanism can be held in position by means placed on a movable valve or on the wall of the chamber, without physical attachment to any of the components. For example, the expanding mechanism can be held in place by means of a series of protrusions extending into the chamber to support the movable valve shutter in its final position, in which the valve is fully open. Examples of such support projections can be found in international application PCT / EP2011 / 050471. This embodiment is preferred for a substantially shapeless expanding mechanism that can expand equally in all directions.

In FIG. 4 shows a valve mechanism equipped with a thermally expanding mechanism in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. The valve mechanism is configured to be installed in a production pipeline (not shown). According to this embodiment, a thermally expanding bellows-shaped mechanism 40 is disposed in fluid channel 41, 42, 43 in series with fluid flowing through the valve mechanism. In this example, the bellows 40 is located in the housing 44, provided through the first channel 41, through which the entire fluid flow from the formation passes before entering the valve 45 to be controlled through the second channel 42. The fluid flow exits the valve 45 through the third channel 43 and enters in the mining pipeline. The bellows 40 is connected to a movable valve 46 (shown schematically) to act on it to close the valve 45. As the temperature of the fluid flowing through the body 44 and the valve 45 increases, heat is transferred from the hot fluid to the fluid inside the bellows 40. When exceeded the set temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve, the fluid in the bellows 40 will begin to boil. This will cause the bellows 40 to expand due to increased pressure and volume within the bellows 46. As the bellows 40 expands, it moves on the movable valve gate 46, moving it in the closing direction and, at a sufficient temperature, will close the valve 45.

In FIG. 5 shows a valve mechanism equipped with a thermally expandable device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. The valve mechanism is configured to be mounted in a production pipeline (not shown). According to this embodiment, a thermally expanding bellows-shaped mechanism 50 is located in the fluid channel 51 parallel to the main channel 52, 53 allowing fluid to flow through the valve 55. In this example, the bellows 50 is located in a housing 54 provided through the first channel 51, through which a portion of the formation fluid flow passes, bypassing the valve 55 to be controlled. The second channel 52 supplies the main fluid flow to the valve 55. The main fluid flow leaves valve 55 through the third channel 53, after which it reunites Xia with a stream of the first channel 51 before reaching the conduit mining. The bellows 50 is connected to a movable valve 56 (shown schematically) to act on it to close the valve 55. As the temperature of the fluid flowing through the housing 54 and valve 55 increases, heat from the hot fluid is transferred to the fluid inside the bellows 50. When exceeded the set temperature of the fluid flowing through the housing 54, the fluid in the bellows 50 will begin to boil. This will cause the bellows 50 to expand due to increased pressure and volume within the bellows 50. As the bellows 50 expand, they begin to act on the movable valve gate 56, moving it in the closing direction, and, when the temperature rises sufficiently, will eventually close the valve 55.

Claims (16)

1. A self-regulating valve for controlling, based on the Bernoulli effect, the flow of fluid, such as oil and / or gas containing water, from one space or region to another, from an oil or gas reservoir to a production well pipe in an oil and / or gas reservoir, the inlet on the inlet side to the outlet on the outlet side of the device, the valve comprising an inlet, an outlet and a movable valve, adapted to be responsive to temperature device, and the movable valve is made with the possibility of its movement by a temperature-sensitive device in the closing direction in response to a given increase in the temperature of the fluid surrounding the valve and / or falling inside the valve, and the temperature-sensitive device contains an expanding mechanism, which is a tight a structure at least partially filled with expandable material, wherein said expandable material and therefore also said p the expanding mechanism is configured to, upon exceeding a predetermined fluid temperature, expand and thereby move the movable valve in the closing direction, the self-adjusting valve having a flow channel from the inlet to the outlet, a portion of which directs the fluid flow over the surface of the movable valve shutter in such a way that autonomous movement of the movable valve shutter is provided for control based on the Bernoulli effect of said flow ohm fluid when the movable valve is not moved by the temperature sensitive device in the closing direction. 2. The self-regulating valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is located in the fluid chamber of the valve, containing a movable valve, controlling the fluid flow passing through the valve. 3. The self-adjusting valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is attached to a portion of the fluid chamber and is configured to, when expanding, come into contact with said movable valve. 4. The self-adjusting valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is attached to the movable valve and is made with the possibility, upon expansion, to come into contact with the specified fluid chamber. 5. A self-regulating valve according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is located in the fluid chamber of the valve containing a movable valve shutter controlling the fluid flow through the valve. 6. A self-regulating valve according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is located in the fluid channel parallel to the flow of fluid flowing through the valve. 7. A self-regulating valve according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is located in the fluid channel in series with the fluid flow through the valve. 8. A self-adjusting valve according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism contains a fluid material. 9. A self-regulating valve according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism contains a fluid that changes its phase state at a given temperature. 10. A self-regulating valve according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism contains a fluid whose boiling point is lower than the boiling point of water at a pressure in the reservoir around the production pipeline. 11. The self-adjusting valve of claim 10, wherein the fluid contains alcohol. 12. The self-adjusting valve of claim 10, wherein the fluid contains an alcohol-water mixture. 13. The self-adjusting valve of claim 10, wherein the fluid contains acetone. 14. A self-regulating valve according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism is configured to expand in a given direction. 15. A self-adjusting valve according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the expanding mechanism comprises a bellows. 16. A method of controlling a self-adjusting valve containing a movable valve for controlling, based on the Bernoulli effect, the fluid flow from one space or region to another, according to which an expanding mechanism is provided, which is a sealed structure at least partially filled with expanding material and causing exceeding the set value of the temperature of the fluid, the expansion of the specified expanding material and, therefore, the most expanding mechanism, causing the said movable valve is moved in the closing direction, and according to the method, the fluid flow passes over the surface of the movable valve so that the movable valve can be independently moved for control based on the Bernoulli effect with the specified fluid flow when the movable valve is not moved by the expanding mechanism in the direction of closing.

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