Technical Manual

MSI Manually Adjustable Choke

MSI – A Division of Dixie Iron Works, Ltd.

300 W. Main St.
Alice, TX 78332
www.diwmsi.com
(800) 242-0059

Revision E
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

WARNINGS 3

GENERAL DESCRIPTION 5

CHOKE DESCRIPTION 5

CHOKE SPECIFICATIONS 5

PARTS 7

EXPLODED VIEW 7

OPERATION 9

CHOKE ADJUSTMENT 9

ORIFICE INDICATOR BEAN SIZING TABLE 10

2” CHOKE STEM ACTUATION TORQUE VS PRESSURE 11

3” CHOKE STEM ACTUATION TORQUE VS PRESSURE 11

HANDWHEEL TURNS VS CHOKE ORIFICE 12

DISTANCE FROM FULL CLOSE VS CHOKE ORIFICE 12

MAINTENANCE 13

PREVENTATIVE 13

INSPECTION 13

ASSEMBLY 14

ASSEMBLING THE TEE SUBASSEMBLY 14

2” BONNET SUBASSEMBLY 16

3” BONNET SUBASSEMBLY 20

CHOKE STEM SYNCHRONIZATION PROCEDURE 26

 SECTION 1 WARNINGS

The MSI Adjustable Choke is used in high-pressure and high flow well service applications. High pressure
equipment, if not used and maintained properly, can cause serious injury or death and damage to equipment and
property. Not taking proper precautions and failing to perform routine maintenance and inspections can also
contribute to loss of well control, and such loss could cause serious injury or death and damage to equipment
and property.

The MSI adjustable choke is designed to decrease pressure in a fluid flow situation, as a result, the velocity of
the fluid stream increases drastically. Abrasive particles in the high velocity flow stream can cause excessive
and premature erosion to the choke components. The choke trim utilizes tungsten-carbide in key areas to
manage erosive wear. It is critical for safety and performance to ensure the choke is installed such that the
direction of flow is away from the bonnet on adjustable chokes. Reverse flowing through the choke may cause
damage and void the warranty.

ALL OPERATORS AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY TRAINED IN

THE SAFE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND INSPECTION OF THIS EQUIPMENT.

This product is not designed to be used for fully stopping the flow of fluids. In systems where this is required
isolation equipment, such as plug valves, should be used in conjunction with the choke.
 FLUID DIRECTION THROUGH CHOKE

3/4" & 1" MAXIMUM ORIFICE (2" IRON) 2" MAXIMUM ORIFICE (3" IRON)
 SECTION 2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2.1 Choke Description

Adjustable chokes are used in many oilfield applications to control flowrate and/or pressure. Usually an
adjustable choke is used as part of a manifold installed downstream of the wellhead or as a flow restrictor to
create back-pressure for pump testing purposes. The MSI adjustable choke consists of three main
sub-assemblies: the bonnet, tee, and nipple assemblies (for 2” iron only).

2.2 Choke Specifications

MSI chokes are available in ¾”, 1”, and 2” maximum orifice sizes. The bonnet, tee, and nipple are made from
forged alloy steel. The stem is manufactured from stainless steel and utilizes a solid tungsten-carbide tip. The
choke seat is also made from stainless steel that has been fitted with a tungsten-carbide liner.
 CHOKE MAIN SUB-ASSEMBLIES

3/4" & 1" MAXIMUM ORIFICE (2" IRON) 2" MAXIMUM ORIFICE (3" IRON)
 SECTION 3 PARTS

3.1 Exploded View

See the following drawings and bills of materials for replacement parts.
 SECTION 4 OPERATION

4.1 Choke Adjustment

The equivalent orifice size of MSI manually operated chokes can be easily determined, adjusted, and set. To
adjust the choke, loosen the thumbscrew, BUT DO NOT REMOVE. Once you have loosened the thumbscrew,
turn the handwheel either clockwise to throttle the choke closed, or counter-clockwise to throttle the choke
open. Once the desired rate is achieved tighten the thumbscrew, to lock down the stem at the desired setting.
All MSI manually adjustable chokes come with an indicator. Each number on the indicator represents the
equivalent orifice diameter in 1/64ths of an inch. Determining the flow bean size needed for a positive choke
can be determined by reading the number shown on the indicator at the indicator line located on the bonnet
extension. The orifice size can be determined by using orifice indicator bean sizing table, or you can multiply
the indicator number by 1/64 and that will give you the orifice size for the flow bean needed.

Example below the indicator is at 42 this would be equivalent to an orifice bean size of 42/64.
4.2 Orifice Indicator Bean Sizing Table

Orifice Orifice Orifice Orifice

Indicator # Indicator # Indicator # Indicator #
Size Size Size Size
1 1/64 33 33/64 65 1 1/64 97 1 33/64
2 2/64 34 34/64 66 1 2/64 98 1 34/64
3 3/64 35 35/64 67 1 3/64 99 1 35/64
4 4/64 36 36/64 68 1 4/64 100 1 36/64
5 5/64 37 37/64 69 1 5/64 101 1 37/64
6 6/64 38 38/64 70 1 6/64 102 1 38/64
7 7/64 39 39/64 71 1 7/64 103 1 39/64
8 8/64 40 40/64 72 1 8/64 104 1 40/64
9 9/64 41 41/64 73 1 9/64 105 1 41/64
10 10/64 42 42/64 74 1 10/64 106 1 42/64
11 11/64 43 43/64 75 1 11/64 107 1 43/64
12 12/64 44 44/64 76 1 12/64 108 1 44/64
13 13/64 45 45/64 77 1 13/64 109 1 45/64
14 14/64 46 46/64 78 1 14/64 110 1 46/64
15 15/64 47 47/64 79 1 15/64 111 1 47/64
16 16/64 48 48/64 80 1 16/64 112 1 48/64
17 17/64 49 49/64 81 1 17/64 113 1 49/64
18 18/64 50 50/64 82 1 18/64 114 1 50/64
19 19/64 51 51/64 83 1 19/64 115 1 51/64
20 20/64 52 52/64 84 1 20/64 116 1 52/64
21 21/64 53 53/64 85 1 21/64 117 1 53/64
22 22/64 54 54/64 86 1 22/64 118 1 54/64
23 23/64 55 55/64 87 1 23/64 119 1 55/64
24 24/64 56 56/64 88 1 24/64 120 1 56/64
25 25/64 57 57/64 89 1 25/64 121 1 57/64
26 26/64 58 58/64 90 1 26/64 122 1 58/64
27 27/64 59 59/64 91 1 27/64 123 1 59/64
28 28/64 60 60/64 92 1 28/64 124 1 60/64
29 29/64 61 61/64 93 1 29/64 125 1 61/64
30 30/64 62 62/64 94 1 30/64 126 1 62/64
31 31/64 63 63/64 95 1 31/64 127 1 63/64
32 32/64 64 1 96 1 32/64 128 2
4.3 2” Choke Stem Actuation Torque vs Pressure

4.4 3” Choke Stem Actuation Torque vs Pressure

4.5 Handwheel Turns vs Choke Orifice

4.6 Distance from Full Close vs Choke Orifice

 5. MAINTENANCE

5.1. Preventative

The choke stem will periodically need to be lubricated. Using the choke assembly grease fitting, inject a few
strokes of general purpose grease.

Legacy 3” choke assemblies do not have a grease fitting. In this case, to lubricate the stem, first ensure there is
no pressure in the system. Rotate the hand wheel counter-clockwise until it is fully open. Remove the hand
wheel, indicator, and bonnet extension. There should be approximately 3 inches of threads exposed. Apply
general purpose grease to fully coat the choke stem threads. Replace the bonnet extension, indicator, and hand
wheel. Turn the hand wheel clockwise until the choke is fully shut. To calibrate the indicator, refer to steps
5-11 in Section 5.5 for assembly directions (as applicable) or to Section 5.8.4 for the adjustable choke stem
synchronization procedure.

5.2. Inspection

Clean and degrease the parts then inspect for abnormal wear, corrosion, erosion, or other physical damage.
Replace parts as needed to restore choke to working condition.
5.3. Assembly

5.3.1.  Assembling the Tee subassembly

NOTE - ALWAYS USE HIGH QUALITY

GRAPHITE GREASE OR ANTI-SEIZE
DURING ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATE ALL
PARTS THOROUGHLY, ESPECIALLY
THREADS.

Apply anti-seize to the choke seat threads on male

end connection

For a 2” choke assembly only: assemble the choke

nipple with the choke tee subassembly:
Insert the choke seat through the female end connection
of the Tee fitting with a choke seat wrench.

Choke Size Wrench PN

2” CC0071

3” CC0282

Using a torque wrench, fully tighten the choke seat

to the recommended torque below:

Choke Size Torque (ft*lbs)

2” 100

3” 125
 5.3.2. 2” Bonnet Subassembly

NOTE - ALWAYS USE HIGH QUALITY GRAPHITE GREASE OR ANTI-SEIZE DURING

ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATE ALL PARTS THOROUGHLY, ESPECIALLY THREADS.

Lubricate the internal and external threads on the

bushing then screw the thread bushing into the
bonnet and tighten snug with a wrench.

Align extension indicator line with thumbscrew

tapped hole and grease fitting hole.
Install lock washers on socket head cap screws and
torque to 10 ft-lbs, attaching the bonnet extensions
to the bonnet.

Lubricate the packing gland of the bonnet and choke stem threads with light general purpose grease to prevent
damage to packing during installation.

Install choke packing retainer, new packing, and

stem guide bushing on stem in orientation shown.

Insert the threaded end of the stem with packing into

the bonnet and engage the threads on the bonnet
bushing.
Thread the choke stem clockwise by hand until the
choke packing is fully seated then install retaining
ring. Do not use tools to turn the stem.

Apply 1.5-2 turns of PTFE (Teflon®) tape on grease

fitting in clockwise direction (when viewed from
grease fitting threaded end)

Install grease fitting on bonnet hand tight

Wrench tighten 2-3 turns from the hand tight

position

Slide wing nut onto bonnet body then install stem

stay ball(s) then stem holding screw.
Slide the indicator onto the stem. Do not tighten the
set screw.

NOTE: THE END OF THE INDICATOR WITH

THE SET SCREW MUST BE INSTALLED
AWAY FROM THE BONNET.

Install hand wheel, washer, and hex nut.

Temporarily position the indicator against the hand

wheel and tighten the set screw.
 5.3.3. 3” Bonnet Subassembly

NOTE - ALWAYS USE HIGH QUALITY GRAPHITE GREASE OR ANTI-SEIZE DURING

ASSEMBLY. LUBRICATE ALL PARTS THOROUGHLY, ESPECIALLY THREADS.

Lubricate the internal and external threads on the

bushing then screw the thread bushing into the bonnet
and tighten snug with a wrench.

Prior to installing the bonnet extension onto the

bonnet, locate the indicator line.

Position bonnet extension on bonnet, and align the

indicator line with the grease fitting hole on the
bonnet. The bolt hole should also line up with the
grease fitting hole.

Install lock washers on socket head cap screws and

torque to 10 ft-lbs, attaching the bonnet extensions
to the bonnet.
Lubricate the packing gland of the bonnet with light
general purpose grease

Install first choke packing retainer in bonnet

Install choke packing bushing in bonnet

Install new packing in bonnet gland and press in with a

soft-faced rod. Verify the orientation is correct.

INSERT THIS END ON BONNET FIRST

Install second choke packing retainer in bonnet

Secure choke packing with retaining ring

Lubricate inside of packing with light general

purpose grease
Using light general purpose grease, install backup ring and
o-ring on seal gland as shown.

Lubricate the choke stem with light general purpose

grease and insert the threaded end through the
bonnet. Screw choke stem by hand until resistance
is felt.

Holding the bonnet in place as shown, temporarily

position the hand wheel on the stem and use it to
continue threading the stem until the stem shoulder
contacts the bonnet.

Remove the hand wheel.

Apply 1.5-2 turns of PTFE (Teflon®) tape on grease

fitting in clockwise direction (when viewed from
grease fitting threaded end)

Install grease fitting on bonnet hand tight

Wrench tighten 2-3 turns from the hand tight

position
Slide wing nut onto bonnet body then install stem
stay ball(s) then stem holding screw.

Slide the indicator onto the stem. Do not tighten the

set screw.

NOTE: THE END OF THE INDICATOR WITH

THE SET SCREW MUST BE INSTALLED
AWAY FROM THE BONNET.

Install hand wheel, washer, and hex nut.

Temporarily position the indicator up against the
hand wheel and tighten the set screw.
 5.3.4. Choke Stem Synchronization Procedure

With the stem fully retracted mount the bonnet

assembly to the choke tee assembly. Hammer the
union connection ring tight. Rotate the hand wheel
clockwise to shut the choke.

Loosen the indicator set screw. Rotate and slide the

indicator into position, so that the “0” is aligned with
the indicator groove on the bonnet extension.

Tighten the indicator set screw to synchronize the

indicator to stem position.
MSI – A Division of Dixie Iron Works, Ltd.
300 W. Main St.
Alice, TX 78332
www.diwmsi.com
(800) 242-0059
(361) 664-6597