HOW DOES THE TECHNOLOGY WORK?

The Typhoon^® Valve System is a cyclone-based valve concept, using the principles of a vortex to control the flow rate and pressure of a fluid. The swirling flow within the Typhoon^® Valve System reduces shear forces and the level of turbulence compared to conventional valves. The consequence is that the controlled fluid phases are less mixed and emulsified.

 

What are the Typhoon® VALVE System´s applications?

The Typhoon^® Valve System is developed to be used as a choke or control valve in petroleum applications. Conventional choke and control valves typically mix and emulsify petroleum phases during flow control. Often the fluid mixing leads to degraded fluid phase quality and reduced efficiency of various downstream separation processes. Generally, Typhoon^® Valve System is made for two and three phase petroleum applications where the inherent fluid mixing and emulsification of fluid phases in conventional valves of today causes unwanted fluid-, flow-, separation- or transportation effects.

 

Is it possible to replace existing valves with the Typhoon® Valve System?

Yes! In some cases, Typhoon^® Valve System will fit right in-between the existing pipe flanges, while in some cases it will not. There needs to be a case-by-case evaluation, as the size and type of conventional valve and the process conditions will determine the ease of replacement. In some cases, Typhoon^® Valve System might be somewhat longer than the existing valve.

How can the Typhoon® VALVE System help us achieve a cleaner production?  

Typhoon^® Valve System causes less mixing of oil and produced water during flow control. This has a documented positive effect on the oil and produced water quality downstream of the separators. Applying the Typhoon^® Valve System has therefore the potential to reduce the level of dispersed oil remaining in the produced water after treatment. Additionally, the application of the Typhoon^® Valve System is likely to reduce the requirement for some production chemicals like demulsifiers, reducing the amount of these chemicals discharged with the produced water.

What is the capacity of the Typhoon® VALVE System?

Like conventional valves, Typhoon^® Valve System can be made in different sizes and with different capacities. Typhoon^® Valve System is an engineered valve solution, sized and manufactured by Mokveld Valves BV according to the requirements and specifications of the target application.
 

What are the Typhoon® VALVE System’s expected effects on our production?

By replacing existing choke valves with Typhoon^® Valve System, separation will be improved. Results from field installations, as well as full scale testing in various fluid and flow realistic test rigs, show that the oil in water concentration is reduced by at least 50% after oil/water separation in a downstream separator. Hence, if the produced water treatment efficiency or capacity is in a bottleneck, production can be increased with the Typhoon^® Valve System due to the enhanced separation. Generally Typhoon^® Valve System also improves oil quality by reducing the water in oil concentration. Furthermore, when used as a control valve on mainly produced water or oil flows, Typhoon^® Valve System reduces droplet breaking of any dispersed liquid phase.

 

IS TYPHOON® VALVE SYSTEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EROSION THAN CONVENTIONAL VALVES?

No, Typhoon^® Valve System has been through several rounds of erosion testing at DNV-GL Flow Centre in the UK. The results have shown that erosion is comparable to conventional valves. Similar to conventional valve, erosion in Typhoon^® Valve System is controlled by correct material selection.

Can Typhoon® Valve System help with debottlenecking of our separator capacity?

Yes. Because the fluids are less emulsified by Typhoon^® Valve System compared to conventional valves separation is improved. The improved separation enables higher separator liquid flow rates without reducing oil and water quality.

For more details, see the following articles:

• LOW SHEAR VALVE PRINCIPLES
• DROPLET BREAK-UP IN VALVES
• LOW SHEAR FLOW CONTROL TECHNOLOGY – KEY IN UPGRADING 3-PHASE SEPARATORSFIELD
• FIELD RESULTS AND CASE STUDIES