Adapted laser pig with agitation and circulation mechanism for thermal control in underwater operations.

Description

1 / 6 Adapted laser pig with agitation and circulation mechanism for thermal control in underwater operations. UTILITY MODEL FIELD

[01] The present utility model falls within the technical field of subsea production systems, in particular in the maintenance and operation of subsea pipelines and equipment used for the flow of oil and gas. More specifically, it proposes a laser pig adapted with a circulation and agitation mechanism to maintain the ideal temperature of chemical treatment solutions, increasing the efficiency of scale removal reactions in extreme conditions, such as in the pre-salt layer. BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[02] Subsea equipment such as production lines, wet Christmas trees (WCTs) and manifolds are subject to salt fouling which reduces operational efficiency and can cause blockages. This fouling is removed by means of chelating solutions, the efficiency of which depends directly on the temperature during the complexation reaction.

[03] Currently, pigs are used both for cleaning and inspecting the inside of the pipeline. In the latter case, they are called instrumented pigs. Pigging operations are part of a mandatory operational practice for preserving the internal condition of a pipeline, which aims to remove accumulations of deposits (such as paraffin and corrosion residues) and liquid phases (such as accumulated condensate) inside the pipeline, as well as monitoring the condition of the pipeline's internal walls for the occurrence of corrosive processes. They can range from a simple foam cylinder to a more complex device such as Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, pp. 31 / 44 2 / 6 a cylindrical metal structure (chassis) that uses a transverse disc as a guide and seal.

[04] In this sense, conventional pigging systems, even those with laser heating, face difficulties in the uniform distribution of heat, especially at depths greater than 700 meters, where the seabed temperature is approximately 4°C. In addition, there are challenges associated with heat exchange between the treatment fluids and the environment.

[05] Currently, there are some solutions for internal duct cleaning known in the state of the art, such as those presented below.

[06] Document US11578563 B2 describes a tubular jetting device designed to facilitate the removal of debris in wells, such as in drilling operations. This device consists of a tubular structure with several ports and channels for fluid circulation. Its main purpose is to improve the efficiency of cleaning the annular space of the well, where debris accumulates during operations.

[07] WO2021168524A1 discloses a cylindrical device designed to clean the interior of production tubing, such as the production string. This equipment can move through the interior of a production string, being lowered by gravity and raised by means of a cable, heating the fluid that is around the production string, along the fouled region, to maintain the temperature necessary for the reaction of the chelating agents, removing the fouling.

[08] Finally, BR102019026153A2 proposes a laser pig equipped with a heating mechanism, to be used in removing fouling from subsea production systems. Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, pages 32 / 44 3 / 6 such as production lines, manifolds and ANMs. The laser pig has a mechanism to heat the liquid around it, such as inside the production line. The mechanism will consist of a battery, fiber optic cables, laser diodes, collimators and a temperature sensor.

[09] As can be observed, all solutions present the same technical problem related to the loss of efficiency in the scale removal process due to the absence of adequate heat distribution mechanisms and excessive cooling of the treatment solutions, mainly at great depths, compromising the chemical reactions necessary for the effective removal of scale-forming salts. Unlike what is already known in the state of the art, the present utility model proposes a laser pig adapted with a mechanism for fluid circulation and agitation for thermal control and temperature homogenization, maintaining the efficiency of the scale removal fluids. SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[010] The present utility model refers to a laser pig adapted with a circulation and agitation mechanism for thermal control in underwater operations, comprising: a battery; a set of laser diodes; a set of collimators; a set of longitudinal channels traversing the laser pig; a set of fan-type devices located at the ends of the longitudinal channels; and temperature sensors for continuous monitoring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[011] The present utility model will be described below with reference to its typical embodiments and also with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, pp. 33 / 44 4 / 6

[012] Figure 1 is a representation of the state-of-the-art laser pig.

[013] Figure 2 is a representation of the adapted laser pig with circulation and agitation mechanism of the present utility model operating in a pipe with incrustations adhered to the walls.

[014] Figure 3 shows details of the adapted laser pig, including battery, laser diodes, collimators, longitudinal channels and fan-type devices, according to the present utility model.

[015] Figure 4 illustrates the side cutaway and front views of the laser pig, highlighting the positioning of the fan-type devices positioned alternately to balance the flow, according to the present utility model.

[016] Figure 5 represents an enlarged view of the internal recesses in the longitudinal channels for fixing the fan-type devices, according to the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[017] Figure 1 shows a state-of-the-art laser pig. In this sense, it is noted that the said pig comprises: a battery (2), fiber optic cables (4), laser diodes (5), collimators (6), a temperature sensor (1) and electronics (7), such that the components such as batteries, fiber optic cables, collimators and sensors are mounted in a spherical rubber module, interconnected with each other, forming an assembly that allows elastic deformation to allow its passage through the equipment of the submarine system.

[018] In this sense, the present utility model refers to a set of modifications introduced in the pig laser to include a circulation and agitation mechanism, allowing the Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, pages 34 / 44 5 / 6 homogenization of the solution temperature around the additive throughout its operation, as can be seen in Figure 2 which shows a view of the laser pig (20) adapted with an agitation and circulation mechanism activated inside a pipe with incrustation adhered to its walls.

[019] In more detail, as can be seen in Figure 3, the laser pig (20) adapted with agitation and circulation mechanism for thermal control in underwater operations has the following structures: a battery (21); a set of laser diodes (22); a set of collimators (23); a set of longitudinal channels (24) traversing the laser pig; a set of fan-type devices (25) at the ends of the longitudinal channels (24); and temperature sensors for continuous monitoring.

[020] The inclusion of longitudinal channels (24) allows for the circulation of scale-removing fluids through them, which improves temperature uniformity around the laser pig (20).

[021] The fan-type devices (25) are connected to the battery (21) and promote fluid agitation through the longitudinal channels (24) of the fluid circulation and agitation mechanism, as shown in Figure 4, which presents the side cutaway and front view of the laser pig (20). Three fan-type devices (25) are positioned on each side of the laser pig, in alternating orientations, to balance the flow and prevent unwanted displacement of the pig within the production line. Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, pages 35 / 44 6 / 6

[022] This fan-type device (25) aims to facilitate the homogenization of the fluid and thus also facilitate the uniform temperature of the chelating solution within the duct around the chelating agent during the removal of encrusting sulfate salts.

[023] Furthermore, it should be noted that, preferably, like laser diodes (22), fan-type devices (25) are powered by the same battery (21). Alternatively, depending on the project sizing, each of the fan-type devices (25) may have an independent battery.

[024] To accommodate and fix the fan-type devices (25) in the longitudinal channels (24) of the laser pig (20), internal recesses (100) are made in said longitudinal channels, as can be seen in Figure 5, which presents an enlarged view of this structure.

[025] Thus, the pig laser (20) adapted with a circulation and agitation mechanism provides: - Maintaining the ideal temperature of chelating solutions, increasing the efficiency of scale removal; - Reduced operating time and associated costs; and - Reduced environmental impact due to optimized chemical treatments. Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, pp. 36 / 44

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. Pig laser (20) adapted with a circulation and agitation mechanism for thermal control in underwater operations, characterized in that it comprises: a battery (21); a set of laser diodes (22); a set of collimators (23); a set of longitudinal channels (24) traversing the pig laser (20); a set of fan-type devices (25) located at the ends of the longitudinal channels (24); and temperature sensors.

2. Pig laser (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal channels (24) allow the circulation of scale-removing fluids, promoting temperature uniformity around the pig laser (20).

3. Pig laser (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan-type devices (25) are connected to the battery (21) and promote the agitation of the fluid through the longitudinal channels (24), balancing the flow to avoid unwanted displacements.

4. Pig laser (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan-type devices (25) are powered by the battery (21), or alternatively, by independent batteries for each fan-type device (25).

5. Pig laser (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan-type devices Petition 870240110306, of 12 / 26 / 2024, page 37 / 44 2 / 2 (25) are fixed in the longitudinal channels (24) by means of internal recesses (100), providing greater structural stability.

6. Pig laser (20), according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan-type devices (25) are arranged clockwise at opposite ends of the longitudinal channels (24). Petition 870240110306, dated 12 / 26 / 2024, p. 38 / 44

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