GB2258284A - A pipeline pig or tool - Google Patents
A pipeline pig or tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2258284A GB2258284A GB9115751A GB9115751A GB2258284A GB 2258284 A GB2258284 A GB 2258284A GB 9115751 A GB9115751 A GB 9115751A GB 9115751 A GB9115751 A GB 9115751A GB 2258284 A GB2258284 A GB 2258284A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tool
- pipeline section
- pipeline
- section
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000004005 microsphere Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000010779 crude oil Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
- B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
- B08B9/055—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
- B08B9/0553—Cylindrically shaped pigs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
- F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
- F16L55/28—Constructional aspects
- F16L55/30—Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables
- F16L55/38—Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables driven by fluid pressure
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
A method is provided to transport a tool or pig through the interior of a pipeline system which includes a first pipeline section connected to a second pipeline section of larger internal diameter than the first pipeline section, through which second section a stream of fluid flows. The method comprises providing the pig with a density approximate to that of the fluid in the second pipeline section, and pumping the tool or pig through said first section into the second section. The pig may comprise a body 22 of syntactic foam including glass microspheres in epoxy resin, bypass channels 40-45, an annular polyurethane body 24, guide discs 26, 28, scraper discs 30, 32, 34, 36, stiffener discs 52, 54 and bumpers 48, 50 held together by a bolt 56. <IMAGE>
Description
METHOD TO TRANSPORT A TOOL THROUGH A PIPELINE SYSTEM
The invention relates to a method to transport a tool through a pipeline system. More particularly, the invention relates to a method to transport a tool through a pipeline system which includes a first pipeline section connected to a second pipeline section having a larger internal diameter than the first pipeline section, through which second section a stream of fluid flows. During operation of a pipeline system, deposits from the transported fluid can accumulate at the inner surface of the pipeline wall. The rate at which such deposits accumulate depends a.o. on the geometry of the pipeline system, composition of the fluid, flowrate, and temperature of the fluid.An example of such a pipeline system is an offshore pipeline for the transportation of crude oil with a high wax content, in which wax is deposited at the inner surface of the pipeline wall. In order to maintain the capacity of the pipeline at a sufficiently high level, the wax deposits are removed from the interior of the system at regular times using a tool which is pumped through the pipeline. Pumpable tools are also used for other purposes, for example to inspect the inner surface of the pipeline wall for corrosion. In case of a pipeline of uniform internal diameter, such tools are provided with means for pumping the tool through the pipeline, e.g. in the form of disks or cups of outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the pipeline.However, when the internal diameter of the pipeline system is not uniform, the outer diameter of the disks or cups is substantially equal to the smallest internal diameter, so that the tool can only be pumped through the section having the smallest internal diameter because the disks or cups do not seal in sections of larger internal diameter. Due to this restriction in the application of such tools, branch connections of pipeline sections with different internal diameters are often not applied, although such connections would otherwise be preferred.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method to transport a tool through a pipeline system having sections of different internal diameters.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method to transport a tool through a pipeline system which includes a first pipeline section connected to a second pipeline section of larger internal diameter than the first pipeline section, through which second section a stream of fluid flows, the method comprising providing said tool in the form of a tool which is pumpable through the first pipeline section and which is capable of being carried by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section, and pumping the tool through said first section into the second section. Upon entering the second pipeline section of larger internal diameter, the tool is carried by the stream stream of fluid through said section to an outlet of the system where the tool can be recovered.It will be appreciated that the feature that the tool is capable of being carried by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section implies that the sum of the axial components of the frictional force and the gravitational force acting on the tool is smaller than the fluidic force which propels the tool through the second pipeline. The fluidic force acting on the tool depends on the characteristics of the specific application, e.g. the shape and size of the tool, the flow rate of the fluid, the fluid viscosity, and the geometry of the pipeline section having the larger internal diameter.
When it is required to clean or inspect the interior of the pipeline section having the larger internal diameter, another tool which is pumpable through the larger diameter section can be applied.
Suitably, the step of providing said tool comprises selecting the specific weight of the tool in said fluid such that the tool is capable of being carried by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section. The specific weight of the tool, which is defined as the ratio of the weight of the tool to the volume of the tool, is a suitable parameter for reducing the frictional force and the gravitational force acting on the tool. Ideally, the specific weight is substantially equal to the density of the fluid. In practice however, the specific weight of the tool can be slightly less, or more, than the density of the fluid.
In order that the tool is capable of being carried by said stream, irrespective of the orientation of the tool in the pipeline section of larger internal diameter, the step of selecting said tool suitably comprises selecting the length of the tool to be smaller than the internal diameter of the pipeline section having the larger internal diameter.
To ensure a smooth transition of the tool from the smaller diameter section into the larger diameter section, the first pipeline section is suitably connected to said second pipeline section by means of a branch connection which defines a sharp angle between the upstream part of the second pipeline section and the first pipeline section.
The invention further relates to a tool for use in a method to transport the tool through a pipeline system which includes a first pipeline section connected to a second pipeline section of larger internal diameter than the first pipeline section, through which second section a stream of fluid flows, the tool comprising means for pumping the tool through said first pipeline section and into the second pipeline section, and means for carrying the tool by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section.
The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows schematically a top view of an offshore pipeline system consisting of a main pipeline and a branch pipeline, and a tool for use in the method according to the invention; and
Fig. 2 shows schematically a longitudinal cross-section of the tool for use in the method according to the invention.
The pipeline system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a branch pipeline 2 which is at one end 4 connected to an offshore platform 6, and at the other end 8 to a main pipeline 10 via a branch connection 12. The branch pipeline 2 is at the connection 12 arranged at an angle of about 45" to the main pipeline 10. A stream of crude oil flows from another offshore platform 14, through the main pipeline 10 in the direction A to a processing facility 16 onshore. Under normal operating conditions another stream of crude oil flows from the platform 6, through the branch pipeline 2 in the direction B to the main pipeline 10.
A tool 18 for use in the method according to the invention has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the branch pipeline 2 so that the tool 18 can be pumped through the branch pipeline 2 to remove deposits from the interior of the said branch pipeline 2. The tool 18 is inserted into the branch pipeline 2 via a launching apparatus (not shown) at the platform 6 and is pumped through the branch pipeline 2 to the branch connection 12 and into the main pipeline 10. The tool 18 has a specific weight substantially equal to the density of the fluid flowing through the main pipeline 10, so that the tool 18 is capable of being carried by the stream of oil flowing through the main pipeline. The length of the tool 18 is smaller than the inner diameter of the main pipeline 10.
As the tool 18 enters the main pipeline 10 at the branch connection 12, the tool 18 is carried by the stream of fluid in the main pipeline 10 through said main pipeline 10 to the processing facility 16, where the tool can be recovered.
Referring to Fig. 2, the tool 18 comprises a cylindrical body 22 of syntactic foam including glass microspheres (not shown) embedded in a matrix material of epoxy resin. Such a syntactic foam is lightweight and has excellent strength properties. An annular body 24 comprising urethane is arranged around said cylindrical body 22, which annular body 24 is at its outer circumference provided with two guide disks 26,28 and four scraper disks 30,32,34,36. Bypass channels 40,41,42,43,44,45 are provided in the annular body 24 so as to allow a fraction of the crude oil, typically up to 5%, to bypass the guide disks 26,28 and the scraper disks 30,32,34,36, and thereby to flush ahead of the tool wax deposits removed from the pipe wall. Rubber bumpers 48,50 are provided at opposite ends of the tool 18, which bumpers 48,50 prevent damage to the tool 18 or to the pipeline wall when the tool 18 enters the main pipeline 10. Stiffeners disks 52,54 are provided between each bumper 48,50 and the body of syntactic foam 22. The cylindrical body 22, the annular body 24, the bumpers 48,50 and the stiffener disks 52,54 are held in place by means of a bolt 56 and a nut 58, which bolt 56 extends axially through the tool 18.
Various modifications to the method and the tool described above may be made without departing from the invention. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (13)
1. A method to transport a tool through a pipeline system which includes a first pipeline section connected to a second pipeline section of larger internal diameter than the first pipeline section, through which second section a stream of fluid flows, the method comprising providing said tool in the form of a tool which is pumpable through the first pipeline section and which is capable of being carried by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section, and pumping the tool through said first section into the second section.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing said tool comprises selecting the specific weight of the tool in said fluid such that the tool is capable of being carried by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of providing said tool comprises selecting the length of the tool to be smaller than the internal diameter of the second pipeline section.
4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein said first pipeline section is connected to said second pipeline section by means of a branch connection which defines a sharp angle between the upstream part of the second pipeline section and the first pipeline section.
5. A tool for use in a method to transport the tool through a pipeline system which includes a first pipeline section connected to a second pipeline section of larger internal diameter than the first pipeline section, through which second section a stream of fluid flows, the tool comprising means for pumping the tool through said first pipeline section and into the second pipeline section, and means for carrying the tool by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the means for carrying the tool by said stream of fluid through the second pipeline section comprises a cylindrical body of syntactic foam which includes a plurality of microspheres embedded in a matrix material.
7. The tool of claim 6, wherein said matrix material comprises an epoxy resin.
8. The tool of claim 6 or 7, further comprising an annular body arranged around said cylindrical body, which annular body is at the outer surface thereof provided with a plurality of radially extending disks.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein said plurality of radially extending disks comprises at least one scraper disk for cleaning the interior of the first pipeline section when the tool is pumped through said first pipeline section.
10. The tool of claim 8 or 9, wherein said annular body comprises urethane.
11. The tool of any one of claims 5-10, provided with bumper means arranged at opposite ends of the tool.
12. The method of any one of claims 1-4, substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings.
13. The tool of any one of claims 5-11, substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9115751A GB2258284A (en) | 1991-07-22 | 1991-07-22 | A pipeline pig or tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9115751A GB2258284A (en) | 1991-07-22 | 1991-07-22 | A pipeline pig or tool |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9115751D0 GB9115751D0 (en) | 1991-09-04 |
| GB2258284A true GB2258284A (en) | 1993-02-03 |
Family
ID=10698735
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9115751A Withdrawn GB2258284A (en) | 1991-07-22 | 1991-07-22 | A pipeline pig or tool |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2258284A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1172155A2 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2002-01-16 | Hydro Kleen Systems Ltd. | Pipeline pig |
| EP1215436A3 (en) * | 2000-12-12 | 2003-05-28 | I.S.T. Industrie Service Technologie Beratungs-und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbh | Pipeline pig |
| CN109731865A (en) * | 2019-01-15 | 2019-05-10 | 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 | Automatically adjust the pipe cleaner and its pigging method of bypass rate |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109317482A (en) * | 2018-09-29 | 2019-02-12 | 嘉善非凡热处理有限公司 | A kind of tube cleaning arrangement |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2181810A (en) * | 1983-11-23 | 1987-04-29 | Superior I D Tube Cleaners Inc | Pigs for cleaning pipes |
| GB2207972A (en) * | 1987-08-01 | 1989-02-15 | Shizuo Sagawa | Cleaning pigs |
| GB2217423A (en) * | 1988-04-22 | 1989-10-25 | Pipeline Pigging Services Limi | Inflatable pipe-cleaning pig |
| EP0443109A1 (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-08-28 | Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. | Device for cleaning of sewer conduits |
| GB2242497A (en) * | 1990-03-31 | 1991-10-02 | Stc Plc | Inspection pig |
-
1991
- 1991-07-22 GB GB9115751A patent/GB2258284A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2181810A (en) * | 1983-11-23 | 1987-04-29 | Superior I D Tube Cleaners Inc | Pigs for cleaning pipes |
| GB2207972A (en) * | 1987-08-01 | 1989-02-15 | Shizuo Sagawa | Cleaning pigs |
| GB2217423A (en) * | 1988-04-22 | 1989-10-25 | Pipeline Pigging Services Limi | Inflatable pipe-cleaning pig |
| EP0443109A1 (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-08-28 | Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. | Device for cleaning of sewer conduits |
| GB2242497A (en) * | 1990-03-31 | 1991-10-02 | Stc Plc | Inspection pig |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1172155A2 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2002-01-16 | Hydro Kleen Systems Ltd. | Pipeline pig |
| EP1172155A3 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2002-11-13 | Hydro Kleen Systems Ltd. | Pipeline pig |
| EP1215436A3 (en) * | 2000-12-12 | 2003-05-28 | I.S.T. Industrie Service Technologie Beratungs-und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbh | Pipeline pig |
| CN109731865A (en) * | 2019-01-15 | 2019-05-10 | 中国海洋石油集团有限公司 | Automatically adjust the pipe cleaner and its pigging method of bypass rate |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9115751D0 (en) | 1991-09-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |