A pressure reducing apparatus and a method of operating a pressure reducing apparatus
are provided. The apparatus is operable to reduce the pressure and flow rate of
oil being discharged from a well head to downstream processing equipment. The device
has central flow channel configured to receive a flow of oil and reduce the pressure
in the oil. The apparatus has internal components formed of a ceramic material
that resists erosion and wear caused by sand and other debris in the oil. In one
embodiment of the invention, a ceramic outer sleeve is disposed in the central
flow channel and cooperates with a ceramic inner sleeve having an orifice. The
ceramic inner sleeve is interchangeable with other ceramic sleeves having different
orifices to modify the pressure and flow characteristics of oil as it is discharged
to the downstream processing equipment.
