WO2013130906A2

WO2013130906A2 - Oil well head pressure reduction device and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2013130906A2
Application number: PCT/US2013/028457
Authority: WO
Inventors: SR. Whitaker B. IRVIN
Original assignee: Qwtip Llc
Priority date: 2012-02-29
Filing date: 2013-02-28
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: WO2013130906A3

Abstract

The invention includes a system and a method in at least one embodiment for dissipating pressure in a material flow originating from an oil well. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a connector in fluid communication with a bore that moves the material to an accumulation chamber. The material passes from the accumulation chamber into an exchanger through which it passes through a chamber defined by complimentary structures. The chamber discharges into at least one passageway that leads to an outlet that is capable of connection to additional conduit.

Description

Oil Well Head Pressure Reduction Device and Method of Use

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application Serial No. 61/604,546, filed February 29, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

I. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention in at least one embodiment relates to a device for use on oil well heads, for example, underwater wells. More particularly, the invention in at least one embodiment relates to a device that reduces pressure in the flow of material being drawn from the ground in exchange for creating heat that is in turn used to keep the device warm and reduces the likelihood of freezing of the chambers and/or passageways.

II. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The invention in at least one embodiment provides a system including: a connector; a core having a column connected to the connector having a bore passing therethrough lengthwise, and a plurality of members extending away from the column; an upper housing having an accumulation chamber in fluid communication with the bore; a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with the accumulation chamber; an intermediary housing having a cavity in which to house the core; an outer housing connected to the intermediary housing and defining a plurality of passageways with the intermediary housing; and an outlet connector capable of attaching to a conduit.

[0004] In a further embodiment, the system further includes a bell connector attached to the connector. In a further embodiment to either of the prior embodiments, a fluid path is established from the connector through the bore to the accumulation chamber then to at least one inlet through a chamber defined by space between the core and the intermediary housing to the passageways and to the outlet.

[0005] In a further embodiment to either of the first two embodiments, the intermediary housing includes a plurality of members extending in from a wall of the cavity that together with the members of the core define a chamber between the core and the intermediary housing. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the members of the core are rings whose height decreases along their length. In a further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, the members of the intermediary housing are flanges whose height decreases along their length. In a further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, the In a further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, the intermediary housing members and the core members overlap with each other to form a passageway that serpentines along its vertical direction. In a further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, the intermediary housing members and/or the core members include protrusions along their surface. In a further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, the intermediary housing members and the core members are complimentary to each other. In a further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, the intermediary housing members and the core members progressively reduces a pressure of any material that flows from the inlets to the passageways.

[0006] In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the upper housing includes a flange around an opening passing through an axially centered opening, the core includes a flange around the column and the bore, and the upper housing flange and the core flange are attached together. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the intermediary housing includes an axially centered opening passing through a top surface, and the bore is in fluid communication through the intermediary housing opening to the accumulation chamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the accumulation chamber is substantially elliptical. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the intermediary housing includes a shoulder on which the core sits. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the system further includes a vent and/or bypass valve in fluid communication with the accumulation chamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the system further includes at least one protrusion present in at least one of the inlets, the accumulation chamber, and the bore.

[0007] In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the system further includes at least one impeller present in at least one of the inlets, the accumulation chamber, and the bore. In a further embodiment, the at least one of the at least one impeller is attached to a driveshaft. In a further embodiment, the In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the impeller and the driveshaft act as a prime mover.

[0008] In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the inlets include a plurality of protrusions that are angled relative to a flow path through the respective inlet. In a further embodiment to any of the embodiments of the previous paragraphs, the inlets include a plurality of grooves that are angled relative to a flow path through the respective inlet. In a further embodiment to any of the embodiments of the previous paragraphs, the inlets include an expansion chamber having a uniformed cross-section. In a further embodiment to any of the embodiments of the previous paragraphs, the inlets include an expansion chamber having a non-uniformed cross-section. In a further embodiment to any of the embodiments of the previous paragraphs, the inlets are angled relative to a horizontal plane.

[0009] The invention in at least one embodiment provides a method for reducing the fluid pressure of a material flow originating in the ground with a system, the method including: flowing material including liquid from a connector up through a bore into an accumulation chamber to distribute the fluid through a plurality of inlets into an exchanger, progressively reducing and converting the fluid pressure of the material as it serpentines through the exchanger to create alternating high/low pressure zones and reciprocating changes of flow direction and material spin at each waveform peak/crest thereby exchanging pressure for heat, and routing the material to an outlet and into a conduit. [0010] In a further embodiment, the method further includes dispersing the heat through the system. In a further embodiment to the previous two embodiments, the method further includes lowering the system onto a broken oil well head. In a further embodiment to the previous three embodiments, the method further includes venting the material flow during a period of time in which a connection is being established between the system and the source of the material flow.

[0011] Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the apparatus should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

III. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The use of cross-hatching (or lack thereof) and shading within the drawings is not intended as limiting the type of materials that may be used to manufacture the invention.

[0013] FIGs. 1A and 1 B illustrate a side view and a top view of a housing according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section taken at A-A in FIG. 1 B of an embodiment according to the invention.

[0015] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate cross-sections taken at the diameter of components according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section taken at A-A in FIG. 1 B of an embodiment according to the invention.

[0017] FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-section taken at A-A in FIG. 1 B of an embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 5B illustrates a transparent side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0018] FIGs. 6-9 illustrate different inlet embodiments according to the invention.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a graphical representation of the formation of high and low pressure zones.

[0020] Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the invention should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

IV. Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0021] The invention according to at least one embodiment handles high pressure material originating from an oil well 80. Examples of material that may come from a well include oil, natural gas, water, drilling mud, fracking water, soil, and/or rock. The illustrated system includes a wellhead (or blowout preventer (BOP) or tree) connector 1 10 in fluid communication with a bore 1222 that leads to an accumulation chamber 132. The accumulation chamber 132 routes the material into a plurality of inlets (or passageways) 140 that transfer the material from the accumulation chamber 132 to the exchanger (or exchanger unit) 120 that in at least one embodiment provides the housing through which the bore 1222 passes. The exchanger 120 discharges the material into one or more passageways 152 that lead to a connector (or outlet) 160 such as a collet connector or a bolted connector assembly for attachment to a riser, hose or other conduit 90 carrying the material from the well 80 to the surface for an underwater rig or to a flow line for an onshore rig. The illustrated system allows for the material to flow into the system and expand out into the accumulation chamber 132, The accumulation chamber will not reduce pressure, it is only for pre-distribution, which in turn will distribute the material flow through a plurality of inlets 140 into the exchanger 120. Once the material enters the exchanger 120 in at least one embodiment, the material will be subject to a series of pressure reductions as it flows through the geometries (or chamber(s)) 124 of the exchanger 120. Once the material passes through the exchanger 120, it will enter one or more passageways 152 that route it to an outlet 160.

[0022] FIGs. 1A and 1 B illustrate an example of a connector 1 10, an optional bell connector 1 12, an outer housing 150, and an outlet 160 that can be used with the embodiments illustrated in FIGs. 2-5 and discussed in this disclosure.

[0023] FIGs. 2-3B illustrate an embodiment according to the invention, and each of the figures illustrates a cross-section view taken vertically along a diameter of the system. FIG. 2 uses arrows to show how the material flows through the system from the well head 80 to the outlet 160. FIG. 2 illustrates how this embodiment could be connected to an oil well head, a BOP, or a tree 80 even when there has been a break at their connection point. One way to accomplish this connection is to use the illustrated optional bell connector 1 12 that can be attached to the system at the connector 1 10. If there has been no break and there is a flange connection available, then the bell connector 1 12 may be omitted and the connecter 1 10 and its flange 1 102 directly attached to the available flange connector. In at least one embodiment, the connector 1 10 is connected to a core 122 having a bore 1222 passing through its length. In an alternative embodiment, the connector 1 10 is integrally formed with the core 122.

[0024] The core 122 includes a central support column through which the bore 1222 passes and from which a plurality of waveform members (or complimentary structures) 1224 extend out from. In at least one embodiment, the waveform members are rings that have non- uniformed thickness such that in one further embodiment the series of rings in cross-section form a wave pattern like that illustrated in, for example, FIG. 2. The core 122 fits within an intermediary housing 126 that as illustrated in FIG. 3A is a two part construction that includes recesses (or complimentary structures) 1264 for receiving the waveform members 1224 of the core 122 along with providing a collar 1262 on which the core 122 rests in at least one embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the intermediary housing 126 includes an extension from its top defining a bore through which the material travels to reach the accumulation chamber 132 located in the upper housing 130. In other embodiments the intermediary housing 126 includes a centrally aligned opening passing through the top sized to allow the core 122 to extend up through the opening. In at least one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the intermediary housing 126 includes at least two members that define (or at least partially define) each inlet 140 and/or a point of connection for an inlet. Although two inlets are illustrated in FIG. 2, it should be understood that a larger number of inlets may be present and in at least one embodiment evenly spaced around the proximate periphery of the accumulation chamber 132. Together the core 122 and the intermediary housing 126 define a downward flow path through a chamber 124 from the accumulation chamber 132 down to the outlet passageways 152. The chamber 124 includes a variety of waveform progressions that progressively reduce the pressure and convert the change in pressure to heat that is used to keep the system warm. FIG. 10 illustrates how stepped waveform harmonics cause high (H) and low (L) pressure zones to form in the channels with the circulation of the flow illustrated from the top to the bottom of the zones by the C's (clockwise) and backward C's (counterclockwise) that reflect the circulation. In the illustration the material flow is left to right (instead of the flows illustrated in FIG. 2. In at least one embodiment, these pressure zones and tortile reciprocating motion allow the material flow to flow within the channels and to break the bonds between atoms.

[0025] Above the core 122 is the upper housing 130 having the accumulation chamber 132 that allows the on-rush of material rising up from the well to expand before exiting the accumulation chamber 132 through a plurality of inlets 142 into the waveform progression chamber 124. In at least one embodiment, the core 122 includes a flange 1226 that is attached to a flange 134 of the upper housing 130. The accumulation chamber 132 may take a variety of forms other than the illustrated ellipsoid including spherical, parabolic shape, and/or hyperbolic shape that allow for material arriving in the bottom of the accumulation chamber 132 to expand outwardly from the connection point to the bore 1222, which in FIG. 1 is illustrated as being facilitated by a flange connection 134, 1226 between the accumulation chamber 132 and the core 122 although other approaches could be utilized to facilitate the connection while establishing a fluid pathway from the well head 80 to the accumulation chamber 132. In a further embodiment, there is an optional vent and/or bypass valve in fluid communication with the accumulation chamber through, for example, the top of the accumulation chamber to vent material when the system is being connected to the oil well 85, and in a further embodiment to act as a fail safe if there is too large of a pressure build up.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the illustrated inlets that connect the accumulation chamber to the exchanger exit up from the accumulation chamber with the conversion chamber geometries of the exchanger being present above the accumulation chamber and outputting to the outlet. In a further embodiment, the inlets would be replaced by a vortex chamber that would extend up from the accumulation chamber where the accumulation chamber would morph into the vortex chamber that would at its top flare back out to move the material flowing through the system into the conversion chambers of the exchanger. In a further embodiment to those in this paragraph, there would be two exchangers one above and one below the accumulation chamber. [0027] Although the inlets 140 are illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3A as having substantially circular cross-section, it should be appreciated based on this disclosure that different cross- sections could be used such as an oval, an ellipse, a bent oval, a bent ellipse, etc. In at least one non-circular cross-section embodiment, the inlet 140 extends along the bottom (or top) of the accumulation chamber 132 to provide an opening longer than it is wide and curved to match the entry point into the exchanger 120.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGs. 2-3B, the exchanger 120 includes a chamber(s) 124 formed by complimentary structures 1224, 1264 present on the core 122 and the intermediary housing 126, respectively, that define a progression of conversion geometries that progressively reduce the pressure flowing through the chamber 124 as the material progresses through the exchanger 120. The heat that is generated from the decrease in pressure is absorbed by the core 122 and/or intermediary housing 126 to dissipate the heat throughout the system and in at least one embodiment to prevent freezing of one or more components of the system. In a further embodiment, the complimentary structures 1224, 1264 include concentric waveforms or other protrusions along their respective surfaces in addition to the larger waveform depicted in FIG. 2. In a further embodiment to the previous embodiments in this paragraph, the chamber 124 height as defined by the distance between neighboring structures changes height along the length of neighboring structures to form a variety of compression and/or expansion zones along the radius of a particular structure. In a further embodiment to the previous embodiments in this paragraph, the length of the structures for the intermediary housing and the core are of varying lengths and/or shorter.

[0029] The exchanger 120 discharges the material into a plurality of passageways 152 that are defined as the space formed between the intermediary housing 126 and the outer housing 150. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in at least one embodiment the passageways 152 flow up to an outlet (or connector such as a collet connector or a bolted connector assembly) 160 for attachment to a riser, hose or other conduit 90 carrying the material from the well to the surface for an underwater rig or to a flow line for an onshore rig. In at least one embodiment, the intermediary housing 126 and the outer housing 150 are attached with a plurality of support members and/or columns extending from the intermediary housing 126, for example, from the sides and/or bottom.

[0030] FIGs. 4-5B illustrate two additional embodiments according to the invention that include variants for the inlets 140. FIGs. 4-5B illustrate two different densities of protrusions 142A, 142B that spiral down the inside of the inlet 140 from the accumulation chamber 132 to the exchanger 120 to in at least one embodiment impart spinning motion to the material flowing through the inlet 140. In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions are replaced with grooves, which can occur with each of the example inlet embodiments discussed in this disclosure. In a further embodiment, the protrusions and/or rifling are used in combination and/or do form complete spiral patterns within the inlet. The height and/or thickness of the protrusions and/or grooves can vary along their length and may have a variety of dimensions such that in at least one embodiment, the space between neighboring protrusions and/or grooves is greater than the thickness and/or height of the protrusions and/or grooves.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the protrusions include, for example, bumps, dimples, flanges, fins and/or short protrusion segments that are angled relative to horizontal. In a further embodiment, the protrusions are other than perpendicular with the wall and as such are angled relative to a vertical plane drawn tangential with the mid-point of these protrusions (a similar concept could be used to angle the spiral protrusion along its path).

[0032] FIGs. 6-9 illustrate cross-sectional views of different embodiments of the inlets 140 that could be used in connection with any of the above embodiments. Each of the embodiments shares an expansion chamber 144 along its pathway and the diameter of the input side conduit 146 is smaller than or at least the same size as the diameter of the output side conduit 148 from the expansion chamber 144. In further embodiments, the expansion chamber 144 has more of a light bulb shape to it where the wall of the cavity includes a portion that has a long radial path in the direction of input to output to impart a compression of the cross-section for return to the conduit and in at least one embodiment impart a spinning motion or encourage creation of a vortex flow to the material.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates an example where the spiral protrusion 142C is present in just the expansion chamber 144C.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment where the protrusions 142D are a set of short ribs that are spaced about both the conduit 146D, 148D and the expansion chamber 144D (although it should be appreciated based on this disclosure that the protrusions could be present in any of the input conduit, the expansion chamber, and the output conduit). FIG. 7 also illustrates an example of how the angle relative to a horizontal plane of the protrusions 142D', 142D" can change at different points along the inlet 140D. Based on this example of different angles to the horizontal plane, it should be understood that the protrusions may also have different angles relative to the tangential plane described above.

[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates an inlet 140E embodiment where the input conduit 146E has a smaller diameter than the output conduit 148E. This structure results in a pressure reduction when the material enters the expansion chamber 144E and a smaller compression when it exits the expansion chamber 144E than the embodiments illustrated in FIGs. 6 and 7.

[0036] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of how the inlet 140F in at least one embodiment is angled relative to a horizontal plane as it travels from the accumulation chamber 132 to the exchanger 120. The protrusions 142F in this embodiment are illustrated as being angled relative to a plane perpendicular to the material flow (as represented by the arrow line) through the inlet. In a further embodiment, the inlet 140F also includes a slight curvature to fit within an imaginary vertical orientated cylinder drawn around the accumulation chamber 132 and the exchanger 120. In at least one embodiment, the angled inlets 140F assist in the formation of a material flow that spins around the bore 1222 passing through the core 122 as the material progresses down through the exchanger 120.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the protrusions are omitted from the inlets illustrated in FIGs. 6-9.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the above described inlets are enlarged and used as an auxiliary attachment at the outlet to further impact the material flow pressure.

[0039] In a further embodiment for any of the above-described inlet embodiments, a stationary impeller is placed into the conduit and/or expansion chamber of the inlet. The impeller in at least one embodiment includes a ring with a plurality of blades extending in from the ring towards the axial center of the ring where the blades are connected. The blades in at least one embodiment are angled at 20-45 degrees above the horizontal plane, in other embodiments the blades are angled up to 90 degrees above the horizontal plane. In a further embodiment to the impeller embodiments, the conduit includes one or more spiraling grooves and/or groove segments. In a still further embodiment to the other embodiments in this paragraph, there are multiple impellers within the inlet. In at least one embodiment, the blades of the impellers are angled to cut through the material flow to break-up solids, and in a further embodiment the impellers are put into motion by the material flow thus increasing the ability of the blades to break-up solids.

[0040] In a further alternative embodiment, the concept of the protrusions 142 and/or impeller in the inlets is extended to use them in the accumulation chamber 132 and/or the bore 1222 flowing through the core 120 and/or the intermediary housing 126 in a manner as discussed above. In at least one further embodiment, the impeller when present in the accumulation chamber 132 is capable of rotation through a bearing about a driveshaft (or member with a cylindrical free end) extending from the wall of the accumulation chamber 132 to turn flow pressure into rotary movement of the impeller. In a further embodiment, the protrusions 142 and/or impellers (dynamic or static) can be arranged in part or all in alternating flow orientations (e.g., reversing flow rotation and/or direction) thereby in at least one embodiment creating massive braking action along with additional and corresponding heat generation. In at least one embodiment, the protrusions 142 and/or impellers are means for flow retarding directional static and/or dynamic and mixed motion pressure reducers and/or diffusers. In an alternative embodiment, when the impellers are connected to driveshafts, the rotating driveshafts are used as prime movers. In a further alternative embodiment, the driveshafts include an electrical generator at the other end from the impeller for power generation, which power than can be used to power electronics that may be present on the system.

[0041] In at least one further embodiment, any connection within the system may further include a gasket or other sealing member between the separate pieces being connected. In a further embodiment, one piece or both pieces will include a recess for the gasket or other sealing member to be seated in prior to connecting the two pieces together.

[0042] Another way to look at the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 3A and 3B is as follows to provide an alternative embodiment to that described above. The reference number 1 represents a solid machined pass-through core with outer machined waveform flow-path geometries. The system includes a material inlet 2 from well-head/BOP, an outlet 3 to material accumulation (and discharge) chamber, an inner waveform structures 4 providing downward flow paths, an outer jacket 5 with integrated machined waveform structures, which complete downward flow-path, constrained/controlled geometries, a hollowed jacket 6 with solid core receiving geometries, an inlet housing 7, an outlet housing 8, inlets 9 from the accumulation chamber to the chamber defined by the geometries of the outer jacket 5 and the core 1 , and outlets 10 from the chambers to discharge the material towards the outlet.

[0043] In at least one embodiment, the invention includes a method for use of the system. The system is lowered and connected to a well head or a BOP or other equipment that is connected directly to the well head. In at least one embodiment, the well head is broken and spilling oil. Upon connection, the material from the well head travels up through a bore into an accumulation chamber. The material travels from the accumulation chamber through an inlet into a progressive pressure reduction chamber that is defined by complimentary structures on an intermediary housing and a core. Once the material passes through the chamber it enters at least one passageway to travel to an outlet that is connected to a conduit to route the material to the desired location. In further embodiment, the method includes connecting the outlet to the conduit. In still a further embodiment, the method further includes pumping oil from the well head through the system. In a further embodiment when the vent is present in the system, venting the discharge material during at least the period of time the system is being connected to the oil well.

[0044] While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof. The number, location, and configuration of protrusions and/or complimentary structures described above and illustrated are examples and for illustration only. Further, the terms disks and rotors in connection with the disk-pack turbines are used interchangeably throughout the detailed description without departing from the invention.

[0045] The example and alternative embodiments described above may be combined in a variety of ways with each other without departing from the invention.

[0046] As used above "substantially," "generally," and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.

[0047] The foregoing description describes different components of embodiments being "connected" to other components. These connections include physical connections, fluid connections, magnetic connections, flux connections, and other types of connections capable of transmitting and sensing physical phenomena between the components.

[0048] The foregoing description describes different components of embodiments being "in fluid communication" to other components. "In fluid communication" includes the ability for fluid to travel from one component/chamber to another component/chamber.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it is not limited to those embodiments. Alternative embodiments, examples, and modifications which would still be encompassed by the invention may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments described above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS: I claim:

1. A system comprising:

a connector;

a core having

a column connected to said connector having a bore passing therethrough lengthwise, and

a plurality of members extending away from said column;

an upper housing having an accumulation chamber in fluid communication with said bore;

a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with said accumulation chamber;

an intermediary housing having a cavity in which to house said core;

an outer housing connected to said intermediary housing and defining a plurality of passageways with said intermediary housing; and

an outlet connector capable of attaching to a conduit.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a bell connector attached to said connector.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fluid path is established from said connector through said bore to said accumulation chamber then to at least one inlet through a chamber defined by space between said core and said intermediary housing to said passageways and to said outlet.

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said intermediary housing includes a plurality of members extending in from a wall of said cavity that together with said members of said core define a chamber between said core and said intermediary housing.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said members of said core are rings whose height decreases along their length.

6. The system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said members of said intermediary housing are flanges whose height decreases along their length.

7. The system according to any one of claims 4-6, wherein said intermediary housing members and said core members overlap with each other to form a passageway that serpentines along its vertical direction.

8. The system according to any one of claims 4-7, wherein said intermediary housing members and/or said core members include protrusions along their surface.

9. The system according to any one of claims 4-8, wherein said intermediary housing members and said core members are complimentary to each other.

10. The system according to any one of claims 4-9, wherein said intermediary housing members and said core members progressively reduces a pressure of any material that flows from said inlets to said passageways.

1 1. The system according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein said upper housing includes a flange around an opening passing through an axially centered opening,

said core includes a flange around said column and said bore, and

said upper housing flange and said core flange are attached together.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein said intermediary housing includes an axially centered opening passing through a top surface, and

said bore is in fluid communication through said intermediary housing opening to said accumulation chamber.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 -12, wherein said accumulation chamber is substantially elliptical.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein said intermediary housing includes a shoulder on which said core sits.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1-14, further comprising a vent and/or bypass valve in fluid communication with said accumulation chamber.

16. The system according to any one of claims 1-15, further comprising at least one protrusion present in at least one of said inlets, said accumulation chamber, and said bore.

17. The system according to any one of claims 1-16, further comprising at least one impeller present in at least one of said inlets, said accumulation chamber, and said bore.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said at least one impeller is attached to a driveshaft.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein said impeller and said driveshaft act as a prime mover.

20. The system according to any one of claims 1 -15, wherein said inlets include a plurality of protrusions that are angled relative to a flow path through said respective inlet.

21. The system according to any one of claims 1 -15, wherein said inlets include a plurality of grooves that are angled relative to a flow path through said respective inlet.

22. The system according to any one of claims 1 -15, wherein said inlets include an expansion chamber having a uniformed cross-section.

23. The system according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein said inlets include an expansion chamber having a non-uniformed cross-section.

24. The system according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein said inlets are angled relative to a horizontal plane.

25. A method for reducing the fluid pressure of a material flow originating in the ground with a system, the method comprising:

flowing material including liquid from a connector up through a bore into an accumulation chamber to reduce the fluid pressure,

routing the material through a plurality of inlets into an exchanger, progressively reducing and converting the fluid pressure of the material as it serpentines through the exchanger to heat, and

routing the material to an outlet and into a conduit.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising dispersing the heat through the system.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising lowering the system onto a broken oil well head.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25-27, further comprising venting the material flow during a period of time in which a connection is being established between the system and the source of the material flow.

29. An oil well pressure reduction device as shown in the figures and discussed in the above description.