merpro tore hydrohoist–technology document

Merpro® Tore® Hydrohoist–Technology Document

www.nov.com / merpro [email protected]

© 2011 National Oilwell VarcoD352002154-GEN-001 Rev. 03

SLURRY TRANSPORTING METHODSSlurry pumps are traditionally used to pump slurries over horizontal distances and heights. Slurry pumps have limitations in solids carrying capabilities and are prone to high maintenance costs.

WHAT IS TORE HYDROHOIST?Tore Hydrohoist is a slurry transportation device.

HOW DOES TORE HYDROHOIST WORK?The NOV MerproTore Hydrohoist uses a pressure vessel as a solids accumulator with a Tore inside to fluidize and transport the slurry to a desired location. The height and distance that the slurry can be transported is dependent on the motive force pressure and flow. Produced water can be used as the motive fluid.

The Tore mounted inside the accumulator is a highly effective solids fluidization device that can operate even when completely buried in sand. It operates by generating a vortex below the Tore which fluidizes the sand in this area. The vortex is created by introducing fluid through the Tore feed inlet tangentially into the swirl chamber. This establishes a swirling motion which passes through the annulus be-tween the Tore discharge tube and outer tube, and over the foot of the Tore. When fluidized, the sand is drawn by the central core of the vortex towards the discharge tube, allowing for controlled transportation.

DESIGNING TORE HYDROHOISTThe data required to design a Tore Hydrohoist system is:(a) the type and quantity of solids to be transported(b) the maximum particle size(c) the distance and height from point of origin to destinationThe information will determine:• the size of Tore• the size and pressure rating of the accumulator vessel• the flow and pressure rating of the water pump• the size of the pipework from origin to destination

Tore Hydrohoist test rig

Merpro Tore Hydrohoist - Technology Document



OPERATING TORE HYDROHOISTThe Tore Hydrohoist accumulator vessel is filled with the solids then it is pressurized using water pumped into the accumulator through to the internally mounted Tore. The Tore fluidizes and conditions the solids so they are fed up into the central pipe of the Tore then out of the accumulator and through the external pipework to the required destination. The flow of water from the pump is set for optimum flow and the input pressure set for the required distance and height. With Tore Hydrohoist, slurries can be halted during normal operation and restarted again with no ill effects.

TEST SITEThe test installation at the NOV Montrose location consists of a pressurized vessel fitted with a 1” Tore in the base, a high pressure (19barg discharge) Tore water feed pump to drive the Tore, a 50m tall crane and a flexible hose arrangement to simulate the horizontal and vertical distance required. Sand was added to the vessel to simulate the inflow from the separators’ Tore manifolds and stored until the level within the vessel reached a high set point. The vessel was then isolated from the sand inflow. The Tore feed pump was started at a discharge pressure of 19barg and a flowrate of 3 – 4m3/hr and fed the Tore in the base of the vessel, fluidizing the sand and discharging it to the flexible hose arrangement. The flexible hose runs for 100 meters horizontally before rising 50 meters vertically to a collection basket. A syphon break has been fitted at the high point to ensure that no siphoning effects due to the downwards leg marred the test results. Clear sections of the hose allow observers to note that the sand slurry is flowing. The system proved that the Tore could discharge sand slurries to distances of up to 100 meters horizontally and 50 meters vertically. Distances and heights greater than this can also be achieved to suit customer requirements. As part of the trials, a demonstration of the restart capability was required. The feed pump was stopped part-way through the test and the sand slurry allowed to settle within the flexible hose. The clear sections allowed this to be observed. The Tore feed pump was then restarted.• If flow was simply directed through the Tore as usual, normal flow of slurry was restored within 5 minutes.• If the flow was partially directed through the Tore dilution line, the slurry flow was restored within 1 minute.

Figure 1 above shows the Tore Hydrohoist vessel in the center with the sand collection basket to the right. The basket has yet to be lifted to the 50 meter height and the clear flexible hose can be seen.

Figure 1

2

Locations



Corporate Headquarters7909 Parkwood Circle DriveHouston, Texas 77036United States Phone: 713 375 3700Toll-Free: 888 262 8645

Mailing AddressP.O. Box 4638Houston, Texas 77210United States

Customer Service 11300 Windfern Houston, Texas 77064United StatesPhone: 281 517 3100Toll-Free: 800 800 4110Fax: 281 517 0340

Customer Service 9700 West Gulf Bank RoadHouston, Texas 77040United StatesPhone: 281 272 7700Fax: 281 272 7791

United StatesColoradoDenverPhone: 970 292 8216

Grand JunctionPhone: 970 243 7300Fax: 970 243 8360

LouisianaHoumaPhone: 985 872 5215Fax: 985 872 9816

New IberiaPhone: 337 365 2582Toll-Free: 800 982 6882Fax: 337 365 0120

ScottPhone: 337 233 9310Toll-Free: 800 544 3437Fax: 337 233 4256

ShreveportPhone: 318 221 7005Fax: 318 221 7008

OklahomaOklahoma CityPhone: 405 670 8771Fax: 405 670 8775

TulsaPhone: 918 447 4600Toll-Free: 800 324 9478Fax: 918 447 4677

3

PennsylvaniaWashingtonPhone: 724 222 2600Fax: 724 222 3100

TexasAlicePhone: 361 664 2300Fax: 361 664 2357

Fort WorthPhone: 817 696 0800Fax: 817 696 0805

KilgorePhone: 903 983 3531Fax: 903 983 5212

Odessa – Oregon StreetPhone: 432 368 0014Fax: 432 368 0171

WyomingCasperPhone: 307 235 2751Fax: 307 265 2484

InternationalArgentinaBuenos AiresPhone: 54 11 4735 4301Fax: 54 11 4763 3490

AustraliaBrisbane, QueenslandPhone: 61 407 732 922

BrazilMacae, Rio de JaneiroPhone: 55 22 2796 920024-hours: 55 22 8111 1400Fax: 55 22 2773 3631CanadaEdmonton, AlbertaPhone: 780 414 7616Toll-Free: 866 855 7867Fax: 780 465 7060

ChinaBeijingPhone: 86 10 5707 0900Fax: 86 10 5977 6100

EgyptCairoPhone: 2 012 355 4000Fax: 2 02 3335 4184

KoreaPhone: 82 516 256652

LibyaTripoliPhone: 21821 7144274, ext. 108Fax: 21821 7205704

RussiaMoscowPhone: 7 495 775 2540Fax: 7 495 981 3470

Saudi ArabiaDammamPhone: 966 53 6000859

SingaporePhone: 65 6513 3640Fax: 65 6266 6471

United Arab EmiratesJebel Ali, DubaiPhone: 971 4 811 0100Fax: 971 4 811 0285

United KingdomAberdeenPhone: 44 0 1224 356339Fax: 44 0 1224 723034

GatesheadPhone: 44 0 191 4820022Fax: 44 0 191 4878835

MorpethPhone: 44 0 1670 505022Fax: 44 0 1670 505029

VenezuelaAnacoPhone: 58 282 4255329Fax: 58 282 4221854

MaracaiboPhone: 58 261 7362636Fax: 58 261 7362636

merpro tore hydrohoist–technology document

Documents