CA2822834A1

CA2822834A1 - Flow diverter

Info

Publication number: CA2822834A1
Application number: CA2822834A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michael Dick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-27
Filing date: 2013-08-07
Publication date: 2014-02-27

Abstract

A block between two flanges provides flowthrough passages for fluids or other conveyed material. The passages extend through the block and exit the block through pipes. The pipes may form loops with valves, or the pipes may be used to divert fluids or other conveyed material for other purposes. The entire flange-block-flange structure may be forged in one piece.

Description

FLOW DIVERTER
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Piping.
BACKGROUND

[0002] New regulations in piping operations require the installation of safety systems such as the double block and bleed system. A single valve is no longer sufficient to fulfill safety requirements in many areas. Double block and bleed systems and double positive isolation bleed systems are difficult to engineer in pre-existing piping. Previous methods have required the cutting open of pipes or the introduction of weak pipe structures.
SUMMARY

[0003] In an embodiment, there is provided a flow diverter comprising a first flange and a second flange axially aligned with each other, a central block between the first flange and the second flange, the block having at least a first flowthrough passage and a second flowthrough passage, the first flowthrough passage including a first elbow and extending between a first port of the first flowthrough passage and a second port of the first flowthrough passage, the second flowthrough passage including a second elbow and extending between a first port of the second flowthrough passage and a second port of the second flowthrough passage, a first spacing pipe extending between the first port of the first flowthrough passage and the first flange, and a second spacing pipe extending between the first port of the second flowthrough passage and the second flange.

[0004] In an embodiment, a flow diverter is also disclosed comprising a first flange and a second flange, the first flange and the second flange being axially aligned and oriented in relation to each other for insertion into piping between piping flanges spaced apart for receiving a valve;
and a pipe loop disposed between the first flange and the second flange. The pipe loop may include at least a first valve, a second valve and a bleed valve between the first valve and the second valve,

[0005] In various embodiments there may be included any one or more of the following features: The elbows form a 90 degree bend. The elbows may also form an angle less than or greater than 90 degrees. Piping which forms a flow loop extends between the second port of the first flowthrough passage and the second port of the second flowthrough passage. The flow loop may also comprise one or more valves, and an additional bleed valve between a first valve and a second valve.

[0006] In an embodiment, there may be included a pipe loop that extends from a solid block joined to the respective first flange and second flange by respective connecting spacing pipes. A method of manufacture of a flow diverter is also disclosed. The flow diverter may be inserted in piping by removing existing equipment installed between pipe flanges in piping and inserting a flow diverter between the pipe flanges

[0007] The disclosed embodiments may be used in pre-existing piping or in new piping.

[0008] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:

[0010] Fig. 1 is a side view, showing internal passages in dashed lines, of an embodiment of a flow diverter with flowthrough passage elbows having a ninety degree angle.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the flow diverter depicted in fig. 1, with front and back ports.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a side view, showing internal passages in dashed lines, of an embodiment of a flow diverter with flowthrough passage elbows having an angle less than ninety degrees.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the flow diverter depicted in fig. 3.

[0014] Fig. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a flow loop.

[0015] Fig. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a flow loop with valves.

[0016] Fig. 6A is a top view of the embodiment of Fig. 6.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a flow diverter with a wide space between pipe ports.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a side view, showing internal passages in dashed lines, of an embodiment of a flow diverter with flowthrough passage elbows having an angle greater than ninety degrees.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a side view, showing internal passages in dashed lines, of an embodiment of a flow diverter with flowthrough passages comprising T-junctions.

[0020] Fig. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a flow diverter inserted in piping.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.

[0022] Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of a flow diverter 10 is shown.
The flow diverter includes a first flange 12 and a second flange 14 axially aligned with each other. The flanges may be spaced apart any distance and may be spaced apart a conventional distance for insertion in any kind of piping such as in a pipeline between flanges spaced apart according to ANSI specifications for piping or pipeline equipment such as conventional valves, such as Ansi B16 10-1973/1992 or other specifications as may be developed from time to time. A central block 16 is located between the flanges 12, 14 and may be formed together with the flanges 12, 14 of solid metal, for example forged steel, with passages. The passages may be formed by any suitable means now known or hereafter developed such as by being machined or bored in the central block 16. The central block 16 contains a first flowthrough passage 18 and a second flowthrough passage 20. The first flowthrough passage 18 includes a first port 22 and a second port 24, and a first elbow 26 within and forming part of the passage. The second flowthrough passage 20 also includes a first port 30 and second port 32, and a second elbow 34 within and forming part of the passage. The flowthrough passages may be of any size and angled at any angle appropriate for the size of central block. Spacing pipes extend between the flanges and the passages, a first spacing pipe 36 extending between the first port 22 of the first flowthrough passage 18 and the first flange 12, and a second spacing pipe 38 extending between the first port 30 of the second flowthrough passage 20 and the second flange 14. The spacing pipes 36 and 38 and flanges 12 and 14 may be forged one piece with the block 16 or otherwise connected by any suitable means to the block 16, such as by threading or welding.

[0023] Respective parts of the flowthrough passages 18 and 20 at the respective second port 24 and second port 32 may be used for receiving a pipe attachment. Pipe attachments may be socket welded or secured by any suitable means to the flowthrough passages at second port 24 and second port 32. The inside of the flowthrough passages 18, 20 may be threaded to receive a similarly threaded pipe attachment. In some embodiments, pipes forming extensions of the flowthrough passages may be forged with the central block.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the first elbow 26 and second elbow 34 may be shaped at a ninety degree angle. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the flow diverter 10 when the pipe elbows are shaped at a ninety degree angle. Also show in Fig. 2 is a third flowthrough passage 40 with front and back ports 44 and 46, intersecting first flowthrough passage 18, and a fourth flowthrough passage 42 with front and back ports 48 and 49, intersecting second flowthrough passage 20.

[0025] In an embodiment of a flow diverter 10A shown in Fig. 3, flowthrough passages 18A and 20A in block 16A respectively include elbow 26A and elbow 34A with corresponding ports 24A and 32A, in which the elbows 26A, 34A may be shaped at any suitable angle that is greater than or less than ninety degrees, with a preferred angle less than ninety degrees as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The angle of an elbow is taken to be the angle by which the elbow diverges from a straight line.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a top view of the flow diverter 10A when the angle of the pipe elbows is less than ninety degrees. The central block 16A may also be expanded laterally as shown at 17 as compared with the block 16 of Figs. 1 and 2 to accommodate the lateral angle position of the flowthrough passages 18A and 20A. The flow diverter 10A may also be used to insert equipment into the line, such as a sensor or pig launcher, or it may be used to run fluid or other conveyed material out to a separator or other process equipment and return treated fluid or other conveyed material back to the piping. Conveyed material may include particulates.

[0027] Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show basic positions of flow passages through the exemplary blocks 16 and 16A. Many variations of these flow passages may be used. The flow passages may diverge, as shown in Fig. 9 for an example of a one to two divergence, but the divergence may be one to any number of passages that can fit within the block. The flow passages are shown as having a single elbow, but there may be one or more elbows of varying angle within the same passage. The angle of the elbow may be any angle between 0 and 180 degrees, provided the flow passages do not connect together, so that there should be at least a sufficient divergence of the flow passages that flow passages extending between opposite ends of the piping in which the block is located do not connect to each other. The angle of the elbow may be abrupt, with a sharp transition as shown in Figs. 1-4, or may be curved.

[0028] Referring to Fig. 5, an embodiment of a flow diverter 10A is shown that has a flow loop 90 extending from ports 24A, 32A in block 16A. The piping of the flow loop 90 is attached to the second ports 24A and 32A of the first and second flowthrough passages 18A and 20A. The piping is formed in a loop 90 so that material within the loop travels out the second port 24A of the first flowthrough passage 18A, around the loop 90, and into the second port 32A
of the second flowthrough passage 20A, or in reverse. The loop 90 may be formed with any suitable shape or angle.

[0029] The loop 90 may be formed with several pipe sections formed together or connected using any conventional means, such as using threaded pipes or welded joints. For example, pipes 50 and 52 extend from or are connected to the second ports 24A
and 32A of the first and second flowthrough passages 18A and 20A, respectively. Angled pipe elbows 54 and 56 within the loop 90 may be of any angle between zero and three hundred sixty degrees, with pipe elbows shown in Fig. 5 at a greater than ninety degree angle. The pipe elbows 54 and 56 are connected to pipes 50 and 52, respectively, and a welded tee 58 joins the pipe elbows 54 and 56 to complete the loop 90.

[0030] Figs. 6 and 6A show the flow loop 90 when the pipe elbows 26A, 34A
within the block 16A are angled at less than ninety degrees as in Fig. 4. The flow loop 90 may also comprise one or more valves, such as a threaded or welded flange, or flanged valves, located at any position around the flow loop 90. In the embodiment in Figs. 6 and 6A, the flow loop 90 includes a double block and bleed configuration or double isolation and bleed configuration. A
first valve 60 and second valve 62 are located at the same height as each other (in this example), though the valves 60, 62 may be located at any point around the loop. The flow loop may also comprise a bleed valve 64 between the first valve 60 and second valve 62. The bleed valve 64 may be connected into the flow loop 90 through a tee 58. Various other equipment may be inserted in the flow loop 90 with or instead of the two valves and bleed shown, depending on the embodiment.

[0031] Where a flow loop 90 extends from a block 16 or 16A, the flowthrough passages 18 and 20 (or 18A, 20A) may be angled laterally to allow space for the flow loop 90 to be installed, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4. The flow passages 18A and 20A
are thus angled laterally in both the plane of Fig. 3, due to the angle of the respective elbows, and the plane of Fig. 4, due to the orientation of the elbows with respect to each other in the block 16A. The orientation of the elbows with respect to each other in the block such as blocks 16, 16A may be expressed by a rotation angle about a pipe axis joining centers of the piping to which the flow diverter is to be attached. A line drawn along the center of the bore of an elbow lies in and defines a plane. The pipe axis will lie in this plane. Depending on the rotational position of the elbow, this plane has an angular position relative to some reference, such as up or down or relative to the plane of a figure. Thus elbows 26 and 34 are oriented at zero degrees to each other, and elbows 26A and 34A are oriented at an angle to each other that is greater than zero and less than 90 degrees. If the respective elbows extend towards opposite sides of the block, then they are at 180 degrees to each other. The rotational position of the elbows relative to each other may thus be any position between zero and 360 degrees.

[0032] Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a flow diverter 10B when the pipe elbows within the block 16B are angled at less than ninety degrees and where the flow diverter 10B has a wide space between pipes 50A and 52A that are secured to the block 16B by any suitable means. Angled pipe elbows 54A and 56A may be any appropriate angle and may be attached to the respective pipes 50A and 52A. Fittings 66 and 68 are connected to pipe elbows 54A and 56A respectively. Pipe openings 70 and 72, extending from fittings 66 and 68 respectively, may be used to connect any of various equipment (not shown) to the line using any conventional means, such as using threaded pipes or welded joints, or may be connected using a valve. The fittings may be for example T-joints.

[0033] Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a flow diverter IOC when the pipe elbows 26C, 34C in respective passages 18C and 20C within the block 16C are angled at greater than ninety degrees. In this embodiment, flowthrough passages I8C and 20C must be angled laterally (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure) to provide space for each flowthrough passage 18C and 20C. The flowthrough passages 18C and 20C exit the block 16C
through respective ports 24C and 32C, to which pipes may be attached. The lateral orientation of the elbows 26C and 34C (left and right in the figure) may be modified from what is shown according to the desired application. When the passages 18C and 20C do not overlap in the block, the passages need not be angled to provide space for the passages.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 9, a further embodiment of a flow diverter 10D is shown. The flow diverter IOD includes a first flange 12 and a second flange 14 axially aligned with each other. A central block 16D is located between the two flanges. The central block 16D contains a first flowthrough passage 18D and a second flowthrough passage 20D. The first flowthrough passage 18D includes a first port 22D, a second upper port 74, a second lower port 82, and a T-junction 78 within the passage. The second flowthrough passage 20D also includes a first port 30D, a second upper port 76, a second lower port 84, and a second T-junction 80 within the passage. The flowthrough passages 18D, 20D may be of any size appropriate for the size of central block 16D. Spacing pipes extend between the flanges and the passages, a first spacing pipe 36 extending between the first port 22D of the first flowthrough passage 18d and the first flange 12, and a second spacing pipe 38 extending between the first port 30D
of the second flowthrough passage 20D and the second flange 14. Any number of additional ports may be included in any embodiment of the block including block 16, 16A, 16B, 16C or 16D. Thus, although block 16 has two exit ports, and block 16D has four exit ports, there may be embodiments with 6, 8 or any number of exit ports and corresponding flowthrough passages. The flow passages of Figs. 1 and 9 are shown with right angled elbows, but these elbows may be made with any angle from below 90 degrees to 180 degrees with suitable lateral spacing of the elbows to prevent intersection of the passages within the block.

[0035] The passages at the respective second ports 74, 76, 82 and 84 may be used for receiving a pipe attachment (not shown). A pipe attachment may be attached by any suitable means, such as by one piece forging, threading or welding, to the flowthrough passage at second ports 74, 76, 82 and 84.

[0036] In Fig. 10, a flow diverter 16 having a first flange 12 and a second flange 14 axially aligned is shown with the flanges 12, 14 inserted into piping 96 between piping flanges 92 and 94 that are spaced apart for receiving a valve such as a conventional valve (not shown).

The gaps between the flanges are exaggerated. The flow diverter may be inserted in piping by removing existing equipment installed between pipe flanges 92 and 94 in piping 96 and inserting a flow diverter between the pipe flanges. The flow diverter 16 may be any embodiment of a flow diverter as disclosed, including flow diverters 16A, 16B, 16C or 16D, any of which may be forged as a single piece. The block 16 may be any of the disclosed blocks with any of the passages disclosed. A conventional valve spacing is determined for example by Ansi B16 10-1973/1992, or such other standard as may be in force from time to time.

[0037] Any connection mentioned as being threaded or welded may instead be made or partly made using any conventional method, such as by being forged or one piece forged. The blocks 16-16D are preferably unitary, made from a single piece, and may have any suitable shape and may be round, for example cylindrical, square, or angled and may have cut-outs, such as block 16A. The passages are preferably bored in the block but may be made of any suitable method now known or hereafter developed.

[0038] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A flow diverter, comprising:
a first flange and a second flange axially aligned with each other;
a central block between the first flange and the second flange, the block having at least a first flowthrough passage and a second flowthrough passage;
the first flowthrough passage including a first elbow and extending between a first port of the first flowthrough passage and a second port of the first flowthrough passage;
the second flowthrough passage including a second elbow and extending between a first port of the second flowthrough passage and a second port of the second flowthrough passage;
a first spacing pipe extending between the first port of the first flowthrough passage and the first flange; and a second spacing pipe extending between the first port of the second flowthrough passage and the second flange.

2. A flow diverter as in claim 1, in which piping forming a flow loop extends between the second port of the first flowthrough passage and the second port of the second flowthrough passage.

3. A flow diverter as in claim 1 or 2, in which a third flowthrough passage intersects the first flowthrough passage through the elbow of the first flowthrough passage.

4. A flow diverter as in claim 3, in which a fourth flowthrough passage intersects the second flowthrough passage through the elbow of the second flowthrough passage.

5. A flow diverter as in claim 2, 3 or 4, in which the flow loop comprises one or more valves.

6. A flow diverter as in claim 5 in which the flow loop comprises a bleed valve between a first valve and a second valve.

7. A flow diverter as in any one of claims 1-6, in which the central block, first spacing pipe, second spacing pipe, first flange and second flange are formed as a single piece of forged metal.

8. A flow diverter as in any one of claims 1-7, in which each elbow forms a 90 degree bend.

9. A flow diverter as in any one of claims 1-7, in which each elbow forms an angle less than 90 degrees.

10. A flow diverter as in any one of claims 1-7, in which each elbow forms an angle greater than 90 degrees.

11. A flow diverter, comprising:
a first flange and a second flange, the first flange and the second flange being axially aligned and oriented in relation to each other for insertion into piping between piping flanges spaced apart for receiving a valve; and a pipe loop disposed between the first flange and the second flange.

12. The flow diverter of claim 11 in which the pipe loop includes at least a first valve, a second valve and a bleed valve between the first valve and the second valve.

13. A flow diverter as in claim 11 or 12, wherein the pipe loop extends from a solid block joined to the respective first flange and second flange by respective connecting spacing pipes.

14. A flow diverter, comprising:
a first flange and a second flange axially aligned with each other;
a central block between the first flange and the second flange, the block having at least a first flowthrough passage and a second flowthrough passage;

the first flowthrough passage including a T-junction and extending from a first port of the first flowthrough passage to a second upper port of the first flowthrough passage and to a second lower port of the first flowthrough passage;
the second flowthrough passage including a T-junction and extending from a first port of the second flowthrough passage to a second upper port of the second flowthrough passage and to a second lower port of the first flowthrough passage;
a first spacing pipe extending between the first port of the first flowthrough passage and the first flange; and a second spacing pipe extending between the first port of the second flowthrough passage and the second flange.

15. A method of forming a flow diverter, the method comprising forging in one piece a first flange and a second flange axially aligned with each other, a central block between the first flange and the second flange, the block having at least a first flowthrough passage and a second flowthrough passage, the first flowthrough passage including a first elbow and extending between a first port of the first flowthrough passage and a second port of the first flowthrough passage, the second flowthrough passage including a second elbow and extending between a first port of the second flowthrough passage and a second port of the second flowthrough passage;
a first spacing pipe extending between the first port of the first flowthrough passage and the first flange and a second spacing pipe extending between the first port of the second flowthrough passage and the second flange.

16. A method of inserting piping equipment in piping, the method comprising:
removing existing equipment installed between pipe flanges in piping; and inserting a flow diverter between the pipe flanges, in which the flow diverter is formed according to any one of claims 1-14.