Merpro Tore Technology Document - …

1 Merpro Tore - Technology 2011 National Oilwell VarcoD352001821-GEN-001 Rev. 02 WHAT IS TORE?Tore is a unique, patented device for solids transportation that operates with no moving parts. By introducing a liquid or gas as motive fluid, the Tore generates a vortex which fluidizes the solids immediately around it. This vortex attracts solid particles to the foot of the Tore from where they are transported as a slurry (or gas suspension) through a pipeline at controlled concentrations. A Tore transports solids economically and is more reliable than traditional solids transport systems such as slurry pumps and conveyor belts.

2 Tore is suitable for transporting most types of solids or sludge, potentially over great distances, and is the core Technology in Merpro Process Systems supplied to a wide range of DOES TORE WORK?Tore operates by generating a vortex which fluidizes the solids immediately surrounding it. 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 between the Tore discharge tube and the outer tube and over the foot of the Tore. When fluidized, the solids are drawn by the vortex towards the Tore discharge tube allowing for controlled transportation.

3 The motive pressure for transporting the solids is either provided by the operating pressure of the vessel in which the Tore is installed or, for atmospheric vessels, by an eductor ( a jet pump) installed on the Tore discharge. In either case, the discharge flow rate from the Tore should be controlled to ensure that the slurry velocity does not exceed erosional limits. The slurry discharge concentration is determined by the rate of fluid feed to the Tore, the particle size of the solids, and their SG. It may be adjusted, if required, by using a by-pass around the Tore. The Tore can be installed in any orientation to ensure it is buried in solids.

4 WHAT CAN TORE DO?Tore conveys solids at slurry concentrations of up to 70% by weight. Tore can transport most types of solids or sludge and is a highly efficient mixing device especially when adding fluids to solids or sludge. Tore can move any solid amenable to transport in slurry form, or alternatively can use gas as the motive medium for fine solids when slurry transport is not appropriate, the pharmaceutical industry. A 1 Tore can transport up to 4 tons per hour of sand and a 2 Tore 16 Motive fluids inlet2. Swirl chamber induces spin3. Solids fluidized in vortex transported via discharge pipe4.

5 Slurry discharge 2011 National Oilwell VarcoD352001821-GEN-001 Rev. 02 Merpro Tore - Technology SIZINGTwo prime factors are considered when considering Tore for applications:1. Maximum particle size2. Required mass flow rate of solidsOther factors relate to the system around the Tore such as available space/nozzles, pumps, valves, capital and operating size range for Tore is commonly in the order of to 8 or larger. The Tore is sized in accordance with the needs of specific project PARTICLE SIZEFor the oil and gas industry, a 1 Tore will meet the requirements of many applications, due to small particle sizes and low solids loading.

6 A 1 Tore will not however pass a 1 solid particle as the solid particle is the same size as the Tore discharge pipe. A practical limit on the maximum solids particle diameter must be set in order to avoid blockage of the Tore. The recommended maximum particle size for the Tore is one-fifth the internal diameter of the Tore discharge pipe, For a 1 Tore this is Larger particles will pass through the Tore. If the frequency of these larger particles is low so that the probability of sufficient numbers of solids appearing at the same time is low then the maximum allowable particle size can be relaxed.

7 For the mining industry larger Tores are typically employed due to larger particle size and higher solids loading MASS FLOW RATE OF SOLIDSOnce the appropriate size of Tore has been chosen to ensure transportation of the solids in question without risk of blockage, a check is made to ensure that the Tore can transport the mass flow rate of solids required for the specific solid mass concentration that a standard Tore can discharge is dependent on the specific gravity (SG) of solids and particle diameter. The actual concentration exiting the Tore may be reduced to suit downstream processing equipment if the slurry is being fed to solid /liquid cyclones.

8 The reduction can be achieved by installing a bypass around the Tore which dilutes the slurry once it has been transported from the DESIGNThe principles for selection of the Tore flow rate are identical to the principle used to select the downstream piping for solids handling. The flow rate through the Tore and the downstream piping must be high enough to avoid deposition of solids but beneath a velocity where erosion levels would lead to a low design life and a high pressure drop. Generally the velocity should be kept above 2m/s for pipes 4 NB and below. The maximum allowable velocity is dependent on the frequency of operation, Whether it is a batch or continuous operation.

9 For continuous operation a velocity of 3 m/s should not be exceeded and for batch operation the maximum velocity can be increased to 4 m/s. FEED REQUIREMENTSIt is normal to specify a feed fluid pressure of bar greater than the operating pressure of the vessel in which they are installed to allow for line losses on top of the Tore inlet pressure drop. A 1 Tore will generally require between 3 and 4 m3/h of motive fluid, and a 2 Tore between 12 and 16 m3 REMOVAL COVERAGEThe zone of influence of a Tore, Where active fluidization and removal occurs, can be considered to be six times the diameter of the discharge pipe.

10 Further solids removal is achieved by solids falling into the zone of influence. For larger vessels, this may necessitate the installation of multiple Tore - Technology 2011 National Oilwell VarcoD352001821-GEN-001 Rev. 02 THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR TORE APPLICATIONS: Oil & Gas: Desanding Solids Cleaning Filtration Separation Solids/Sludge Hydro-transportation Under Balanced Drilling Metal Industries: Mill Scale Processing Filtration Separation Mining: Solids Hydro-transportation / Filtration Separation Water: Filtration Waste Water Treatment Solids/Sludge Hydro-transportation Nuclear: Fuel Hydro-transportation Filtration Separation Food: Filtration Separation Solids / Sludge Hydro-transportation Mixing Drink / Beverages.