Method and device for preventing a mud relief valve from incorrect opening
A device for preventing a primary relief valve in a mud system from opening at a pressure lower than a nominal opening pressure includes a flow restrictor between a mud pump of the mud system and the primary relief valve. In addition, the device includes a cavity between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve.
1. A method for preventing a primary relief valve in a mud m from opening at a pressure substantially lower than a nominal opening pressure, wherein the mud system includes a mud pump, the method comprising:
installing a flow restrictor between the mud pump and the primary relief valve;
providing a cavity between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve; and
placing a second relief valve in parallel with the flow restrictor.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises a tubular having a diameter smaller than a characteristic dimension of the cavity and a length greater than the diameter.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
selecting the characteristic dimension of the cavity to equal the cubic root of the cavity.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises an opening in a plate, wherein the opening has a diameter smaller than a characteristic dimension of the cavity.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second relief valve has a nominal opening pressure that is less than or equal to the nominal opening pressure of the primary relief valve.
6. A device for preventing a primary relief valve in a mud system from opening at a pressure lower than a nominal opening pressure, wherein the mud system includes a mud pump, the device comprising:
a flow restrictor positioned between the mud pump and the primary relief valve;
a cavity provided between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve; and
a second relief valve positioned in parallel with the flow restrictor.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the flow restrictor is provided in the second relief valve.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the second relief valve is a rupture disk.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the flow restrictor is provided in the rupture disk.
10. The device of claim 6 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises a tubular having a diameter smaller than a characteristic dimension of the cavity and a length greater than the diameter of the tubular.
11. The device of claim 6 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises an opening in a plate, wherein the opening has a diameter smaller than a characteristic dimension of the cavity.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein characteristic dimension of the cavity equals the cubic root of the cavity.
13. The device of claim 6 , wherein the second relief valve is in series with the cavity.
14. The device of claim 6 , wherein second relief valve has a nominal opening pressure that is less than or equal to the nominal opening pressure of the primary relief valve.
15. A mud system, comprising:
a mud pump;
a primary relief valve configured to prevent excessive pressurization of the mud system;
a dampener system positioned between the mud pump and the primary relief valve, wherein the dampener system comprises:
a flow restrictor; and
a cavity positioned between the flow restrictor and the primary relief valve;
wherein the dampener system further comprises a second relief valve arranged in parallel with the flow restrictor.
16. The mud system of claim 15 , wherein flow restrictor includes an opening having a diameter smaller than a characteristic dimension of the cavity.
17. The mud system of claim 16 , wherein the second relief valve is arranged in series with the cavity.