Automated relief valve control system and method

摘要

A pressure relief valve system for use in a downhole operation may include a pressure relief valve configured to relieve pressure from high pressure tubing extending between a pump and a wellhead, and may include a sensor operably disposed to detect pressure in the high pressure tubing. The pressure relief valve system also may include a controller having a pressure threshold stored therein. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor and compare the detected pressure to the stored pressure threshold. A valve actuation system may be in communication with the pressure relief valve and in communication with the controller. The valve actuation system may be configured to change the state of the pressure relief valve from a closed state to an open state in response to a command signal from the controller.

主权项

1. A pressure relief valve system for use in a downhole operation, the pressure relief valve system comprising:
a gas source; a pressure relief valve having a closed state and an open state, wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to relieve pressure from high pressure tubing extending between a pump and a wellhead, and wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to be maintained in the closed state with a pressurized gas from the gas source; a sensor to detect pressure in the high pressure tubing; a controller having a pressure threshold stored therein, the controller being configured to receive data from the sensor and compare the pressure in the high pressure tubing to the stored pressure threshold; and a valve actuation system in communication with the gas source, the pressure relief valve, and the controller, the valve actuation system being configured to change the state of the pressure relief valve from the closed state to the open state in response to a command signal from the controller, the valve actuation system comprising: an input portion connected to the gas source; an output portion connected to the pressure relief valve; and at least one of the following: a dump valve configured to open so that the state of the pressure relief valve changes from the closed state to the open state; and a reducing valve disposed between the input portion and the output portion, the reducing valve being configured to adjust the pressure in the output portion based on data from the controller; wherein the controller is configured to emit the command signal when the controller determines that a nominal pressure in the high pressure tubing over a predetermined increment of time exceeds the stored pressure threshold; and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the nominal pressure in the high pressure tubing over the predetermined increment of time exceeds the stored pressure threshold by detecting that the pressure in the high pressure tubing exceeds the stored pressure threshold, starting an internal timer that runs for the predetermined increment of time, and detecting that the pressure in the high pressure tubing continues to exceed the stored pressure threshold at the conclusion of the predetermined increment of time.