Debris catch for managed pressure drilling
The debris catch provides a strainer located downstream of a rotating control device (RCD) within a flow line. The strainer is located between the RCD and at least one protected component. The strainer limits the debris and other junk that flows to protected components located downstream of the strainer. A first sensor and a second sensor detect the pressure differential between a location before the strainer and at the strainer. The two sensors detect a clog in the strainer. The strainer is removable through an access outlet for clearing the clog and reinstalling a strainer for continued drilling operation. A purge valve located in the system also allows clearing of the strainer by releasing the debris through a purge outlet located on a pathway separate from the pathway to the protected component.
1 . A debris catching system located downstream of a rotating control device (RCD) in a drilling operation that catches debris from drilling fluid to protect a component, the system comprising:
a straining conduit configured to secure to the RCD for flow of the drilling fluid from the RCD through the straining conduit;
a strainer located within the straining conduit;
a protected outlet in the straining conduit located downstream of at least a portion of the strainer;
a purge outlet in the straining conduit, wherein the purge outlet is downstream from the protected outlet and the strainer;
a first sensor that detects the pressure of the drilling fluid at a first detection point upstream of the strainer;
wherein the first sensor detects pressure of the drilling fluid at a second detection point located downstream of at least a portion of the strainer.
2 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a pressure release valve located downstream of the access purge outlet and the protected outlet, wherein the pressure release valve is in communication with the straining conduit, wherein opening the pressure release valve releases pressure from the straining conduit.
3 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a debris collection reservoir connected to the purge outlet, wherein the drilling fluid flows through the purge outlet to the debris collection reservoir.
4 . A debris catching system located downstream of a rotating control device (RCD) in a drilling operation that catches debris from drilling fluid to protect a component, the system comprising:
a straining conduit configured to secure to the RCD for flow of the drilling fluid from the RCD through the straining conduit;
a strainer located within the straining conduit, wherein the strainer extends longitudinally through the straining conduit;
a protected outlet in the straining conduit located downstream of at least a portion of the strainer;
a purge outlet in the straining conduit, wherein the purge outlet is downstream from the protected outlet and the strainer, wherein the purge outlet longitudinally aligns with the strainer;
a first sensor that detects the pressure of the drilling fluid at a first detection point upstream of the strainer;
wherein the first sensor detects pressure of the drilling fluid at a second detection point located downstream of at least a portion of the strainer.
5 . The system of claim 4 further comprising:
an isolation valve located upstream of the strainer, wherein the drilling fluid flows past the isolation valve prior to reaching the strainer.
6 . A debris catching system located downstream of a rotating control device (RCD) in a drilling operation that catches debris from drilling fluid to protect a component, the system comprising:
a straining conduit configured to secure to the RCD for flow of the drilling fluid from the RCD through the straining conduit;
a strainer located within the straining conduit;
a protected outlet in the straining conduit located downstream of at least a portion of the strainer;
a purge outlet in the straining conduit, wherein the purge outlet is downstream from the protected outlet and the strainer;
wherein the purge outlet is sized to accept the strainer, wherein the purge outlet is located downstream from the strainer installed in the straining conduit, wherein the strainer installs into the straining conduit through the purge outlet; and
a cap configured to secure to the straining conduit to cover the purge outlet, wherein removal of the cap enables installation and removal of the strainer within the straining conduit.
7 . The system of claim 6 further comprising:
at least one pressure sensor detecting pressure at a first detection point and a second detection point, wherein the first detection point is located upstream of the strainer and the second detection point is located downstream of at least a portion of the strainer.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the strainer extends longitudinally through the straining conduit;
wherein the purge outlet longitudinally aligns with the strainer;
wherein removing the cap directs drilling fluid longitudinally past the strainer through the purge outlet.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein detaching the cap from the straining conduit is required to remove the strainer from the straining conduit.
10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cap secures the strainer within the straining conduit.
11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cap directly contacts the strainer to secure the strainer within the straining conduit.
12 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cap is directly downstream of the strainer.
13 . The system of claim 6 , wherein no flow control device separates the cap from the strainer.
14 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cap is located downstream of the straining conduit and the protected outlet.
15 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cap is configured to secure directly to the straining conduit.