Improved Nozzle

Agent / Attorney

Freehills Patent Attorneys, MLC Centre Martin Place, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000

Related Art

EP 659461 A1

US 3045926 A

US 3045931 A

GB 1379205 A

EP 0724913 A2

US 2207758 A

US 2003/0146301 A1

GB 2299281 A

EP 0979681 A

EP 0363162 B1

2008200503 01 Feb 2008

ABSTRACT 'Improved Nozzle' (Figure 1)

A nozzle for use with a pressurised water source as typically used in the offshore environment. The nozzle attaches to a hose or fixed work pipe installation and provides a channel through a body, on which is arranged a frusto-conical fluid deflector. Fluid flowing along the channel may impinge upon the fluid deflector and may travel along a surface of the deflector and out of the nozzle in a jet. Various 10 embodiments are described for varying the width of the channel at the deflector to adjusting a characteristic of the jet and for providing self-cleaning of the nozzle. Further a central channel is described which allows an additional nozzle to be included as are sensors which determine pressure, temperature and the like in the nozzle.

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2008200503 01 Feb 2008

Improved Nozzle

The present invention relates to a nozzle. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a nozzle for use with a pressurised water source as typically used in the offshore environment.

During well completion, a surface well test package is used to evaluate well reservoir parameters and hydrocarbon properties. The evaluation of hydrocarbon properties requires the flow of a hydrocarbon fluid to the well test package from the well. Once the test has been made it is necessary to dispose of the hydrocarbon fluid. This is done by igniting the hydrocarbon fluid and flaring it from drilling rig, Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs), Drillships, platforms and land rig burner booms. The flaring operation can cause temperatures to reach levels where the intense heat can compromise the integrity of the structure and rig safety equipment such as lifeboats, lifecrafts etc and create a hazardous working environment for personnel. One way of reducing the temperature around the flaring hydrocarbons is to form a water wall around the flare, known as a rig cooling system and/or heat suppression and/or deluge system.

Systems of this type provide an outer wall of water designed to surround the flare which mimics the flare profile and/or shields the flare. The outer wall of water can take the form of a solid flat or conical shield or curtain and a central source which has a secondary function of generating a very fine mist of water through the central outlet of the dual nozzle design. The fine mist of water is designed to remove energy from the flare, and the outer wall of water is designed to create a barrier which also removes energy and therefore temperature from the flare.

In order to produce and shape a jet of water, it is necessary to connect a nozzle to a high-pressure water source and to engineer the nozzle such that an outer (typically cone-shaped) wall of water is formed in conjunction with a fine mist of water directed behind the flare.

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An example of this type of nozzle is provided in UK Patent No. GB2299281. This document discloses a nozzle attachable to a high-pressure water source in which a narrow opening is positioned between a deflecting surface which opposes the direction of flow of water, and a guiding surface angled towards the direction of flow of the water and which defines the shape of 5 the outer wall of water that is produced by this nozzle. It has been found that the combined action of the deflecting surface and guiding surface disrupts the water flow and causes energy to be dissipated thus lowering the water pressure.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common 10 general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term comprise and variations of the term, such as comprising, comprises and comprised, are not intended to exclude 15 further additives, components, integers or steps.

Summary of the Invention

It would be desirable to provide an improved nozzle and to provide the public with a useful choice.

Herein described is a nozzle for forming a water wall around a flare in a hydrocarbon well-test operation, the nozzle comprising:

a body having a fluid outlet;

a fluid flow channel extending through the body, the channel in fluid communication with the body outlet; and a frusto-conical fluid deflector located adjacent the body outlet and having a frusto-conical deflecting surface, angled away from the direction of fluid flow and positioned such that fluid flowing along the channel impinges on the deflecting surface, the direction of flow of the fluid exiting the nozzle thereby determined by the deflecting surface; wherein the fluid deflector and the body of the nozzle together define a width of the channel and the frusto-conical deflecting surface extends beyond the maximum width of the channel to direct the flow of fluid.

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2a

Also herein described is a nozzle for forming a water wall around a flare in a hydrocarbon welltest operation, the nozzle comprising:

a body having a fluid outlet;

a fluid flow channel extending through the body, the channel in fluid communication with the body outlet; and a fluid deflector located adjacent the body outlet and positioned such that fluid flowing along the channel impinges on the deflector and is directed out of the nozzle by the deflector, the direction of flow of the fluid exiting the nozzle thereby determined by the deflector;

wherein the fluid deflector comprises a deflector surface disposed at an angle of approximately 105 degrees relative to a main axis of the body.

Also described is a kit of parts for a nozzle, the kit of parts comprising a body, a fluid deflector and a coupl ing means adapted to removably connect the fluid deflector to the body, wherein the kit of parts when assembled forms a nozzle according to either of the preceding aspects.

In an aspect of the present invention there is provided a hydrocarbon well test nozzle for a hose or fixed pipework installation, the nozzle comprising:

a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;

a ch annel extending through the body of the nozzle, the channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and a fluid deflector arranged at or near the downstream end of the channel adjacent the fluid outlet of the body, the fluid deflector having a deflecting surface and a central beam which extends from the deflecting surface into the body so as to define a main portion of the fluid flow channel and an annular portion of the fluid flow channel, the main portion of the fluid flow channel extending from the fluid inlet to an upstream end of the central beam and the annular portion of the fluid flow cnannel extending around the central beam from the upstream end of the central beam to the fluid outlet, wherein the fluid deflector is positioned such that fluid flowing along the channel impinges on the deflecting surface and is directed out of the nozzle by the deflecting surface such that the direction of flow of the fluid exiting the nozzle is determined by the deflecting surface, the fluid deflector and the body together define a circumferentially continuous outlet to permit fluid to leave the nozzle as

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2b a solid wall of fluid, and a maximum diameter of the annular channel portion is greater than a maximum diameter of the main channel portion.

Also herein described is a hydrocarbon well test nozzle comprising:

a body having a fluid outlet;

a fluid flow channel extending through the body, the channel in fluid communication with the body outlet; and a fluid deflector located adjacent the body outlet such that the fluid deflector and the body together define a circumferentially continuous nozzle outlet and the fluid deflector positioned such that, in use, fluid flowing along the channel impinges on the deflector and is directed out of the nozzle by the deflector as a solid wall of fluid, the direction of flow of the fluid exiting the nozzle thereby determined by the deflector.

Also disclosed herein is a nozzle for a hose or fixed pipework installation, the nozzle comprising: a body;

a channel extending through the body of the nozzle; and a fluid deflector arranged at or near the downstream end of the channel such that the fluid deflector and the body together define a circumferentially continuous nozzle outlet, and wherein, in use, the fluid deflector determines the direction of flow of the fluid as it leaves the nozzle as a solid wall of fluid.

Fluid flowing along the channel may impinge upon the fluid deflector and may travel along a surface of the deflector and out of the nozzle, the direction of flow of the fluid as it leaves the nozzle thereby determined by the deflector. By this arrangement, the fluid deflector may serve to direct the fluid whilst minimising energy loss when compared to prior nozzles of the type where the fluid is thrown backwards onto a second directing surface which directs the fluid out of the nozzle.

The fluid deflector may be located in a fluid flow path extending through the nozzle along the channel.

Preferably, the fluid deflector and the body of the nozzle together define a width of the channel at or near said downstream end. The fluid deflector may have a deflecting surface positioned relative to the end of the channel to define the width of the channel at or near the downstream end of the channel. Accordingly, at least part of the channel may be defined between the deflecting surface and an outlet surface of the body. The deflecting surface and the body outlet surface may be substantially parallel.

The deflector surface may be disposed at an obtuse angle relative to a main axis of the body and is preferably angled away from the body.

More preferably, said channel width is variable. This may facilitate adjustment of a characteristic and/or parameter of the fluid exiting the nozzle, including velocity, fluid pressure, and/or the shape of a jet, stream or cloud of fluid exiting the nozzle. The channel width may be variable by adjusting a position of the fluid deflector relative to a remainder of the nozzle, in particular, relative to the nozzle body.

The fluid deflector may be movably mounted relative to the body, to enable adjustment of a position of the deflector relative to the body. This may facilitate adjustment of the channel width.

Preferably, the channel is provided with a gap or space suitable for accommodating a spacer to alter the position of the fluid deflector relative to the end of the channel, thereby varying the width of said channel.

Alternatively, the deflector may be threadably coupled to the body, such that rotation of the deflector relative to the body may advance and / or retract the deflector relative to the body, thereby facilitating adjustment of the channel width. The nozzle may include a retaining member, such as a nut, clip or the like, for retaining the deflector in a desired position relative to the body, to fix the channel width.

The nozzle may comprise a mechanism for adjusting the channel width, which may be a self-cleaning mechanism. The mechanism may be hydraulic, electrical, electromechanical or mechanical, and may comprise an actuator for controlling a position of the deflector relative to the body, for adjustment of the channel width. The actuator may be adapted to be activated to move the deflector to increase the channel width, in order to facilitate flow of any debris such as particulate matter trapped in the nozzle and impeding fluid flow. The mechanism may comprise one or more sensors for

2008200503 01 Feb 2008 detecting the presence of trapped debris. For example, the nozzle may include a pressure sensor or flowmeter for detecting an increase in pressure or reduction in fluid flow rate through the channel indicative of the presence of trapped debris impeding fluid flow.

Preferably, the fluid deflector comprises the deflecting surface and a central beam, shaft, boss or the like extending from the deflecting surface into the body of the nozzle, the central beam being attachable to the body of the nozzle.

Preferably, the nozzle is further provided with pressure sensing means.

Preferably, the channel extending through the body of the nozzle is an annular channel, but may be of any alternative, suitable shape.

Preferably, the nozzle further comprises a central channel extending through the body of the nozzle.

Preferably, the central channel extends through the central beam of the deflector.

The pressure sensing means may be located in the fluid deflector.

Optionally, the pressure sensing means is located in the body of the nozzle.

Preferably, the fluid deflector means further comprises filter coupling means for 25 coupling a filter to the upstream end of the central channel.

Preferably, the fluid deflector means further comprises nozzle-coupling means for coupling a nozzle to the downstream end of the central channel.

More preferably, said nozzle coupling means is connectable to a nozzle for producing a fine spray of fluid.

Preferably, the fluid deflector means is frusto-conical and is thus provided with a frusto-conical deflecting surface, angled away from the direction of fluid flow. Alternatively, the deflecting surface may be any other suitable shape and the deflector may be frusto-conical with an arcuate deflecting surface, in cross-section.

More preferably, the frusto-conical deflecting surface extends beyond the maximum width of the channel to direct the flow of fluid.

Preferably, the nozzle is generally cylindrical in shape.

Preferably, the nozzle is further provided with sensor means attached thereto.

More preferably, the sensor means are attached to the fluid deflector means.

More preferably, the sensor means are embedded in a front surface of the fluid deflector means.

The sensor means can be temperature sensors, gas sensors, or other suitable sensors and may be hardwired through the nozzle to provide information on the temperature, 2 0 gas composition pressure or other information.

The nozzle may be constructed in a single piece.

It will be understood that the nozzle may be suitable for use with a wide range of diameters of hoses or pipes of a pipework installation, and may therefore be dimensioned accordingly. However, embodiments of the invention may be particularly suited for use with hoses/pipes having diameters in the range of 1 'Λ” to 2” (approximately 38mm to 51mm), whilst other embodiments may be particularly suited for use with hoses/pipes having diameters of around 6” (approximately 152 mm) or more.

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In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for a nozzle in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the kit of parts comprising a body and a fluid deflector.

Preferably, the kit of parts further comprises a coupling means adapted to connect the deflector to the body.

Further features of the nozzle are defined in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle comprising:

a body having a fluid outlet;

a fluid flow channel extending through the body, the channel in fluid communication with the body outlet; and a fluid deflector located adjacent the body outlet and positioned such that fluid flowing along the channel impinges on the deflector and is directed out of the nozzle by the deflector, the direction of flow of the fluid exiting the nozzle thereby determined by the deflector.

Further features of the nozzle are defined in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference 25 to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further, partial cross-sectional view of the nozzle of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is another sectional view of the nozzle of Figure 1 in which the fluid flow paths are shown;

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Figure 4a shows the deflector of the present invention, Figure 4b shows a coupling ring as used in the present invention and Figure 4c shows a body of the nozzle of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which sensors are embedded into the front surface of the deflector means;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the nozzle of Figure 6;

Figures 8 and 9 are end and sectional views, respectively, of a deflector forming part of the nozzle of Figure 6; and

Figures 10 and 11 are end and side views, respectively, of a body forming part of the nozzle of Figure 6.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1, the nozzle 1 is 20 constructed from three separate components. These are the nozzle body 3, the coupling ring 5 and the deflector 7.

The deflector 7 is provided with a front surface 11, a deflecting surface 9 which is angled away from the direction of fluid flow and a central beam or projection 10 which extends into the nozzle body 3 and provides a central channel 21.

The central channel 21 has a filter coupler 33 to which a wire-mesh cone known as a Witch’s Broom can be attached. The purpose of this filter is to prevent particulates from entering the central channel. A second coupler 13 is attached to the downstream end of the central channel 21. The second coupler 13 is used to attach a further nozzle 30 for shaping the water flow. Suitably, the nozzle is designed to produce a fine spray or fog of water.

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Typically, the water used will be filtered upstream of the nozzle. Therefore, the size of particulates entering the nozzle will have a maximum determined by the upstream filter.

The gap between the central beam 10 and the nozzle body 3 defines an outer channel which is annular in shape. Support means in the form of fins 30 extend between the central beam 10 and the nozzle body 3 to secure the deflector 7 in place. Grub screws are used to further secure the deflector 9 in position. The nozzle may also be provided with a pressure indicator switch (not shown) located in the deflector surface or on the 10 body of the nozzle. Fixed rings 25 are also included to position the deflector within the nozzle body 3.

The box section 26 provides abutting surfaces at either end thereof, and further provides an adjustable gap 27 which can be reduced in size by the inclusion of further 15 spacer rings (not shown). Typically, an additional spacer ring would be introduced at the downstream end of the box section 26 thereby moving the deflector in an upstream direction and therefore reducing the size of the adjustable gap 27. This also reduces the width of the end of the channel as defined by the distance between the deflector surface 9 and the chamfered surface 15.

It will be noted that the deflector 7 is generally frusto-conical or cone-shaped. The chamfered surface 15 provides a way of smoothing the flow of fluid at the downstream end of channel 23, and as a consequence creates a more laminar fluid flow.

Providing an adjustable gap between the deflector surface 9 and the chamfered surface 15 provides water flow having different profiles. For example, where the gap between the chamfered surface 15 and the deflector surface 9 is small, the flow of water from the nozzle will be disrupted and this will create a non-uniform flow to 30 produce a more diffuse wall of water. Where this distance is larger the flow will be more laminar and the wall of water will be less diffuse.

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The chamfered surface 15 forms part of a coupling ring which is attached to the nozzle body 3. The upstream end of the nozzle body 3 is provided with a nozzle coupler 31, for coupling the nozzle 1 to a hose or pipework. The nozzle 1 is dimensioned for coupling to a 6” (approximately 152mm) diameter hose or pipe, although it will be understood that the nozzle 1 may be provided for a hose or pipe of any suitable diameter. In this example, the coupler 31 is a screw thread. As the water has been filtered upstream, the gap between surfaces 9 and 15 will provide a flow path that is not restricted by the presence of large particulates. Accordingly, this will not block or inhibit the performance of the nozzle. Figure 2 provides a further, partial cross-sectional view of the present invention and shows the outer surface of the central beam 10 and the fins 30. The features of this drawing are identical to the features shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the water flow path through the nozzle.

The water flows through the main channel 19 at the upstream end of the nozzle in direction A. The flow is then split into two portions which flow through the central channel 21 in direction C and through the outer channel 23 in direction B. A filter (not shown) is attached to the filter coupler 33. This prevents particulates from 20 entering the central channel and directs them out through the outer annular channel

23. This is desirable because the purpose of the central channel is to provide a fine mist of water by using a fine nozzle (not shown). The use of a filter prevents particulates from entering the fine nozzle, and thereby blocking it.

As the water flows through the outer channel 23 in direction B, the water is deflected from surface 9 outwards in a pre-determined direction. This direction is determined by the angle of the deflection surface 9 with respect to the direction of bulk flow through the channel 23. In this example, the surface 9 is at an angle of approximately 105° with respect to the central beam. Clearly, therefore, the deflector surface 9 is angled away from the direction of flow B.

Advantageously, it has been found that the use of a deflector surface in this configuration means that the general bulk flow B loses energy only when it is

2008200503 01 Feb 2008 deflected from the surface 9. Therefore, it is possible to produce a more efficient nozzle that requires a lower water pressure to produce a wall of water that extends a predetermined distance from the nozzle than would be possible with the prior art nozzles. In addition, it is possible to produce walls of water that extend further with 5 the same pressure than in the prior art.

It should be noted that in the prior art the exiting water impinges on a first surface, and is thrown backwards onto a second directing surface for directing the water out from the nozzle. This causes the water to lose energy and therefore causes a reduction 10 in overall pressure.

In addition, the present invention may also be provided with means for altering the width of the gap between the chamfered surface 15 and the deflector surface 9. In order to alter this distance, a spacer ring (not shown) is introduced into the nozzle 15 body so as to reduce the width of gap 27. A number of rings of different width can be used to produce different gap sizes.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show the components from which an embodiment of the present invention can be made. Figure 4a shows the deflector means 7, Figure 4b shows the 20 coupling ring 5 and Figure 4c shows the nozzle body 3. It is convenient for the nozzle of the present invention to be constructed in three parts in this manner as it allows easy cleaning and maintenance of the nozzle.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in which sensors 112 25 are embedded into the front surface 111 of a nozzle 101. The sensors can be hardwired and/or wirelessly and/or acoustically connected through the central channel 121 to a position upstream where data from the sensors can be analysed. The sensors can be temperature sensor, gas composition sensors or any other desired sensor.

In the examples of Figures 1-4 and 5, the fins 30 may be shaped to affect the flow of water through the outer channel 23.

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Turning now to Figure 6, there is shown a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle indicated generally by reference numeral 201. Like components of the nozzle 201 with the nozzle 1 of figures l-4c share the same reference numerals incremented by 5 200.

The nozzle 201 is dimensioned for coupling to a hose or pipe of a diameter in the range of 1.5”-2” (approximately 38mm-51mm), although it will again be understood that the nozzle 201 may be provided on a hose or pipe of any suitable diameter, and 10 thus dimensioned accordingly.

The nozzle 201 is similar to the nozzle 1 of Figures l-4c, except that the nozzle 201 comprises two main components, a nozzle body 203 and a fluid deflector 207 which is coupled to the nozzle body 203. As will be described below, the deflector 207 is 15 secured to the nozzle body 203 by a retaining member in the form of a nut 35.

The nozzle 201 is shown in more detail in the exploded perspective view of Figure 7. Also, the deflector 207 is shown separately from the body 203 in the end and sectional views of Figures 8 and 9, and the body 203 is shown with the deflector 207 removed 20 in the end and sectional views of Figures 10 and 11.

Only the main differences between the nozzle 203 and the nozzle 1 of figures l-4c will be described herein in detail.

The body 203 includes a central beam or a shaft 210 which is located by fins 230 that are formed integrally with the body 203. The beam 210 is threaded at 37 and the deflector 207 includes a hub 39 which is internally threaded for engaging the beam threads 37. In this fashion, the deflector 207 may be coupled to the body 203 and the gap between the deflector surface 9 and a chamfered surface 215 of the body 203 may be adjusted by rotating the deflector 207, causing the deflector to advance or retract along the beam 210 relative to a main part of the body 203. The deflector 207 is locked in position by a retaining member in the form of a threaded nut 35 which engages the beam threads 37 and abuts the deflector 207. If required, however, spacer

2008200503 01 Feb 2008 rings (not shown) may be provided between a shoulder 41 of the body 203 and the deflector 207.

In a variation, the deflector 207 may include a smooth hub 39 and may be clamped in position between the shoulder 41 of the body 203 and the nut 35. Spacer rings may be located between the shoulder 41 and the deflector 207 to increase the spacing between the deflector surface 209 and the chamfered surface 215 on the body 203.

In a similar fashion to the nozzle 1, the nozzle 201 defines a central flow channel 221 whilst the body 203 defines an outer flow channel 223. In use, fluid flow is split between the inner and outer channels 221, 223 and a further nozzle may be provided coupled to a coupler 213 on the beam 210.

The nozzle 201 additionally includes a self-cleaning mechanism (not shown) for adjusting the channel width at the downstream end, that is the space or gap between the deflector surface 209 and the chamfered surface 215 of the body 203. The mechanism is typically hydraulic, electrical, electro-mechanical or mechanical and includes an actuator for controlling adjustment of the channel width. For example, the mechanism may comprise a motor for adjusting a position of the deflector 207 relative to the body 203. This may be achieved by rotating the deflector 207 to advance or retract the deflector along the beam 210 either by direct rotation of the deflector 207 relative to the beam 210, or the beam 210 may be provided as a separate component coupled to or integral with the deflector 207, and may be rotatable relative to the body 203.

5 The self-cleaning mechanism may be actuated to increase the channel width between the deflector surface 209 and the chamfered surface 215 of the body 203 in response to the detection of the presence of trapped debris, such as particulate matter in the nozzle 203. Such debris may cause a reduction in the flow rate of fluid through the nozzle and/or an increase in fluid pressure, which may be detected by appropriate 30 sensors. On detection of such a situation, the self-cleaning mechanism may automatically activate the actuator to adjust the position of the deflector 207, increasing the channel width and allowing clearance of the blockage.

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The embodiments of the present invention described herein show a nozzle designed for manufacture using a lathe (Figures 1 to 5) and by casting (Figures 6 to 11). Details of the component design may change where other manufacturing techniques are used to make the nozzle. Examples of alternative manufacturing techniques are 5 lost wax processing or a combination of techniques.

In addition, the nozzle may be made in modular form or as a single component.

It is also envisaged that the present invention could be used for escape route 10 protection, well control and where blowouts occur.

Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

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