Abstract: A flow management system includes an expandable device configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

Abstract: A separation vessel containing a multi-phase mixture comprising oil and water comprises a buoyant thermal energy transfer device. The buoyant thermal energy transfer device further comprises a thermally conductive body and an internal heating element. The buoyant thermal energy transfer device defines a collective specific gravity between about 0.7 and about 1.2, which may be accomplished by adding positioning floats to the buoyant thermal energy transfer device. With such a collective specific gravity, the buoyant thermal energy transfer device is situated in the emulsion layer of the multi-phase mixture, with the internal heating element applying heat to emulsion layer, aiding in the breakage of emulsions. Demulsified oil and water may then be removed from the separation vessel.

Abstract: A flow management system includes an expandable device that is configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and that is adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The flow management system further includes a fluidic actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device and a control module. The control module is configured to control the fluidic actuator to deliver actuation fluid to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to withdraw actuation fluid from the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

Abstract: A method of managing a fluid flow within a conduit includes determining a presence of a flow blockage within the conduit, the conduit being equipped with an expandable device, controlling a fluidic actuator to deliver an actuation fluid to the expandable device to expand the expandable device radially, compacting the flow blockage radially along a length of the expandable device to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, controlling the fluidic actuator to withdraw actuation fluid from the expandable device to collapse the expandable device radially, and exposing the channel to open the conduit to fluid flow.

Abstract: A method of managing a fluid flow within a conduit includes determining a presence of a flow blockage within the conduit, the conduit being equipped with an expandable device, controlling an electric actuator to flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device radially, compacting the flow blockage radially along a length of the expandable device to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, controlling the electric actuator to terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device radially, and exposing the channel to open the conduit to fluid flow.

Abstract: A flow management system includes an adjustable compactor configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an extended configuration and a reference configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the adjustable compactor, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the adjustable compactor to generate an electric field that causes extension of the adjustable compactor for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to remove the electric field at the adjustable compactor to cause the adjustable compactor to return to the reference configuration for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

Abstract: A flow management system includes an expandable device configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

Abstract: A method of managing a fluid flow within a conduit includes determining a presence of a flow blockage within the conduit, the conduit being equipped with an expandable device, controlling an electric actuator to flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device radially, compacting the flow blockage radially along a length of the expandable device to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, controlling the electric actuator to terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device radially, and exposing the channel to open the conduit to fluid flow.

Abstract: A flow management system includes an expandable device that is configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and that is adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The flow management system further includes a fluidic actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device and a control module. The control module is configured to control the fluidic actuator to deliver actuation fluid to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to withdraw actuation fluid from the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

Abstract: A flow management system includes an adjustable compactor configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an extended configuration and a reference configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the adjustable compactor, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the adjustable compactor to generate an electric field that causes extension of the adjustable compactor for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to remove the electric field at the adjustable compactor to cause the adjustable compactor to return to the reference configuration for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.

Abstract: A method of managing a fluid flow within a conduit includes determining a presence of a flow blockage within the conduit, the conduit being equipped with an expandable device, controlling a fluidic actuator to deliver an actuation fluid to the expandable device to expand the expandable device radially, compacting the flow blockage radially along a length of the expandable device to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, controlling the fluidic actuator to withdraw actuation fluid from the expandable device to collapse the expandable device radially, and exposing the channel to open the conduit to fluid flow.

Abstract: A fluid separation system for separating fluids within a container includes an inlet pipe arranged within the container to receive an incoming fluid stream including first, second, and third fluids. The fluid separation system further includes a fluid distribution device coupled to the inlet pipe and including first and second distribution components for respectively separating the incoming fluid stream into first internal fluid streams and second internal fluid streams within the container. The first and second internal fluid streams each include the first, second, and third fluids. The fluid separation system further includes one or more walls arranged to guide the first and second internal fluid streams towards an outlet of the container. The fluid distribution device and the one or more walls together cause the first, second, and third fluids of the first and second internal fluid streams to separate from one another other upstream of the outlet.

Abstract: A method of managing a fluid flow within a conduit includes determining a presence of a flow blockage within the conduit, the conduit being equipped with an adjustable compactor, controlling an electric actuator to flow a current to the adjustable compactor to generate an electric field at the adjustable compactor, extending the adjustable compactor radially inward from a reference configuration under a force of the electric field, compacting the flow blockage radially along a length of the adjustable compactor to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage, and returning the adjustable compactor to the reference configuration to expose the channel and open the conduit to fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing gas/liquid flow in a vertical conduit by utilizing one or more flow stabilizing devices positioned inside the conduit along a structural support tube. The flow stabilizing devices are configured and dimensioned to accelerate the velocity of the flowing two-phase fluid mixture in the conduit to sustain upward liquid flow.

Abstract: A separation vessel containing a multi-phase mixture comprising oil and water comprises a buoyant thermal energy transfer device. The buoyant thermal energy transfer device further comprises a thermally conductive body and an internal heating element. The buoyant thermal energy transfer device defines a collective specific gravity between about 0.7 and about 1.2, which may be accomplished by adding positioning floats to the buoyant thermal energy transfer device. With such a collective specific gravity, the buoyant thermal energy transfer device is situated in the emulsion layer of the multi-phase mixture, with the internal heating element applying heat to emulsion layer, aiding in the breakage of emulsions. Demulsified oil and water may then be removed from the separation vessel.

Abstract: A fluid separation system for separating fluids within a container includes an inlet pipe arranged within the container to receive an incoming fluid stream including first, second, and third fluids. The fluid separation system further includes a fluid distribution device coupled to the inlet pipe and including first and second distribution components for respectively separating the incoming fluid stream into first internal fluid streams and second internal fluid streams within the container. The first and second internal fluid streams each include the first, second, and third fluids. The fluid separation system further includes one or more walls arranged to guide the first and second internal fluid streams towards an outlet of the container. The fluid distribution device and the one or more walls together cause the first, second, and third fluids of the first and second internal fluid streams to separate from one another other upstream of the outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing gas/liquid flow in a vertical conduit by utilizing one or more flow stabilizing devices positioned inside the conduit along a structural support tube. The flow stabilizing devices are configured and dimensioned to accelerate the velocity of the flowing two-phase fluid mixture in the conduit to sustain upward liquid flow.

Abstract: Provided herein is a conditioning apparatus that includes a geometrical configuration having an inlet flow deceleration conduit and a cyclonic tube to effectuate both liquid-gas separation and droplet coalescence. The apparatus is typically positioned at the inlet of a separator vessel used for removing water and gas from extracted crude oil containing entrained water and gas. The apparatus promotes droplet coalescence and gas separation for mixed fluids flowing into an existing water and oil separation device.

Abstract: Provided herein is a conditioning apparatus that includes a geometrical configuration having an inlet flow deceleration conduit and a cyclonic tube to effectuate both liquid-gas separation and droplet coalescence. The apparatus is typically positioned at the inlet of a separator vessel used for removing water and gas from extracted crude oil containing entrained water and gas. The apparatus promotes droplet coalescence and gas separation for mixed fluids flowing into an existing water and oil separation device.