Piggable pipeline system and a changing station for inserting and removing a pig

Abstract

Pipeline system (34) for transporting a medium by means of at least one pig (50a, 50b), with a changeover station (10), wherein the changeover station (10) has a cylindrical housing body (12) with a connecting flange (14) provided at one end region, wherein the housing body (12) has at least one pig position for receiving a pig (50a, 50b), wherein each pig position is assigned a supply line (20a, 20b) for a transport medium, by means of which the pig can be moved and / or the transport medium can be drained from the housing body (12), characterized in that at least one of the supply lines (20a, 20b) is connected to a connection adapter, which is designed for detachable connection with a complementary pipe adapter (30) of the pipeline system (34), wherein the pipe adapter (30) is connected to a control device (42) for controlling the movement of the pig.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pipeline system for transporting a medium by means of at least one pig and to a changing station for inserting and removing a pig from such a pipeline system.

[0002] Piggable pipeline systems have long been known in engineering and are used particularly in the process industry, for example in painting technology or in the conveying of liquid and pasty media. A pig is guided within a pipeline to transport, separate, or clean a medium. The pig is typically moved through the pipeline by means of a transport medium, especially a pressurized medium.

[0003] To handle the pigs, so-called pig capture and pig delivery stations are provided as exchange stations, which allow a pig to be inserted into or removed from a pipeline system. Such exchange stations are often permanently integrated into the pipeline system and have connections for a pig propulsion medium as well as pressure relief lines. In addition, solutions are also known in which pig exchange devices are permanently installed and can be changed within the pipeline system.

[0004] However, these well-known pipeline systems and pigging stations have several disadvantages. In particular, pig changing often requires considerable equipment and operational effort. Frequently, the pipeline system must be pressurized and then depressurized multiple times to move or remove a pig. This leads to increased energy consumption, especially when compressed air is used as the propellant.

[0005] Furthermore, the handling of the known exchange stations is comparatively complex and time-consuming, which leads to extended downtime of the plant.

[0006] Furthermore, especially in the case of incorrect operation, there is a risk that a pig will escape uncontrollably from an open pipeline, which poses a significant safety risk.

[0007] Against this background, there is a need for a solution, both with regard to the piping system and the exchange station, that enables simplified handling, a reduction in equipment and energy costs, and increased operational reliability.

[0008] From EP3030485A1, it is known to equip pigging systems with separate pig exchange stations located outside the actual transport route. In such systems, a defective pig is removed from the pipeline system via a sealing mechanism and replaced with a new one. The exchange station typically has several positions for receiving new or used pigs and is connected to the main system via pipes or hoses. In EP3030485A1, the exchange process involves opening a sealing plug, moving the defective pig out into the exchange station, and then inserting a new pig into the pipeline. While this concept allows operation with multiple pigs and extends the service life, the mechanism is comparatively complex, structurally intricate, and involves considerable exchange times.The necessary lines for loading and unloading the pigs are directly connected to the exchange station.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of providing a pigging station that enables safe, easy-to-handle and, in particular, energy-independent pig changing, while simultaneously reducing the design effort and significantly shortening the changing times.

[0010] This problem is solved by a piping system with the features of claim 1. Likewise, by a pigging station with the features of claim 12.

[0011] The pigging station has a cylindrical housing body with a connecting flange at one end. The housing body is designed to have at least one pigging position, each pigging position being configured to receive a pig. In each pigging position, the pig can be held in a defined position within the housing body.

[0012] Each pig position is assigned a supply line for a transport medium, through which the pig can be moved within the housing and / or through which the transport medium can be drained from the housing. The supply line thus serves both to supply the pig with a medium and to guide or empty the transport medium in a controlled manner.

[0013] According to the invention, at least one of the supply lines is connected to a connection adapter. This connection adapter is designed for connection to a corresponding pipe adapter of the piping system. This creates an interface via which the exchange station can be connected to the piping system.

[0014] The pipe adapter is connected to a control unit for regulating the pig's movement. This allows the pig's movement within the pipeline system to be specifically influenced, particularly by appropriately controlling the transport medium.

[0015] This design provides a transfer station that can be easily connected to the pipeline system, enabling controlled movement and handling of pigs within the system. The control unit is integrated into the existing system and does not need to be modified when the transfer station is replaced. The transfer station can be easily connected to the control unit via the connection adapter on the transfer station and its connection to the corresponding pipeline adapter, allowing the pigs to be controlled within the transfer station.

[0016] The solution according to the invention enables a particularly compact design of the pigging station and completely eliminates the need for permanently installed supply connections for propellant or pressure-relieving media at the station. This allows pigging to be carried out in a depressurized pipeline. The pigging station is designed so that one or more pigs are in a defined home position within the station, thus ensuring safe and reproducible handling. A significant advantage is that pigging can be accomplished by simply loosening a flange connection and replacing the entire station. This considerably reduces the changeover time, especially if a second pigging station, already equipped with pigs, is available. At the same time, safety is increased, as the uncontrolled escape of pigs from the pipeline is effectively prevented.Further advantages arise from the design of the exchange station, in particular through the secure positioning of the flanges, simplified assembly, and a defined position of the pigs and associated sensors. Overall, this results in a maintenance-free, lightweight, and reliable system.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the connection adapter is designed as the connecting flange of the exchange station. This means the connection adapter is part of the connecting flange and is attached along with it, thus requiring only one assembly step instead of two. This results in a particularly compact design, in which the interface function and the mechanical connection are integrated into a single component. Furthermore, the arrangement of the supply lines on the side facing the housing allows for protected and space-saving routing of the transport medium at the exchange station.

[0018] Furthermore, the connecting flange can be designed with through-holes for at least one supply line. This allows for direct media routing through the flange, simplifying the design. At the same time, it minimizes the number of external pipe connections.

[0019] In another embodiment, a section of the piping system is equipped with a connection flange to which the connecting flange of the changeover station can be attached. This allows for a quick-release connection, enabling rapid replacement of the changeover station. Rapid replacement is particularly possible when the connection of the flanges also establishes the connection for the medium. This significantly reduces system downtime.

[0020] The connection flange can have through-holes that align with the through-holes of the connecting flange when the exchange station is mounted. This ensures precise and reliable media routing, preventing media or pressure loss and increasing the system's operational reliability.

[0021] Furthermore, a control device can be provided that selectively connects the supply lines to the housing body to a pressure source and / or a pressure relief line. This enables targeted and controlled movement of the pig as well as a defined pressure reduction, thereby making operation safer and more efficient.

[0022] In an advantageous further development, a pressure sensor is provided upstream of the connection flange, wherein the pressure sensor is designed to measure the internal pressure in a pipeline upstream of the connection flange. This allows the pressure state to be monitored and, in particular, ensures that pigging only takes place when the system is depressurized, which significantly increases operational reliability.

[0023] Furthermore, a pig sensor can be provided for each pig position on the housing body, designed to detect the presence of a pig in that position. This enables unambiguous position control of the pigs and prevents malfunctions, thereby improving process reliability. The pig sensors can preferably be detachably attached to the exchange station and thus used for multiple exchange stations.

[0024] The housing body can also have a handle that extends beyond the connecting flange and has a hook at its free end, allowing the handle to be hooked onto a recess in the connecting flange. This significantly facilitates handling the exchange station and, in particular, enables secure gripping and positioning during assembly and disassembly.

[0025] Furthermore, the connecting flange and the connection flange can be equipped with complementary centering elements that enable the connecting flange to be mounted on the connection flange in a defined orientation. This ensures correct alignment of the supply lines and sensors, thereby preventing assembly errors and increasing operational reliability.

[0026] Finally, the connection flange can be linked to a control unit designed to provide a pressure line and a pressure relief line for each of the supply lines to the housing. This enables individual and precise control of each pigging position, thereby increasing the system's flexibility.

[0027] The loading and unloading device can have a cylindrical receiving body with an inlet and a base featuring a connection for a transport medium. The larger inner diameter compared to the exchange station facilitates the insertion and removal of pigs. The conical insert further supports the secure threading of the pigs and reduces the risk of jamming or damage.

[0028] Furthermore, the loading and unloading device can have a receiving flange designed for connection to the connecting flange of the exchange station. The aligned arrangement of the through-openings ensures reliable media flow and simultaneously enables simple and secure coupling of the device to the exchange station.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1a-c a changeover station in different views, Fig. 1d a cross-section through the exchange station with newts arranged therein, Fig. 1e Section AA from Figure 1A, Fig. 2a,b the exchange station in its assembled state on a pipeline system. Fig. 3a-c a loading and unloading device for the exchange station in various embodiments.

[0031] The Fig. Figures 1a to 1c show a pigging station 10 for a pipeline system. The pipeline system is piggable, i.e., it is designed to be traversed by a pig, in particular to transport a medium using at least one pig or to clean the pipelines using a pig. The pigging station 10 serves to introduce a pig into the pipeline system and to retrieve a pig from the pipeline system.

[0032] The exchange station 10 has a cylindrical housing body 12 designed to accommodate at least one pig. Preferably, several pigs can be accommodated, arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the housing body 12. The housing body 12 has a connecting flange 14 at one end, designed for detachable connection to a connecting flange of the piping system. The connecting flange 14 is preferably annular and has through-holes 16 through which fasteners can be inserted to establish a mechanical connection.

[0033] Furthermore, the connecting flange 14 has openings 18a, 18b, each connected to supply lines 20a, 20b. The supply lines 20a, 20b open into the interior of the housing body 12 via openings 22a, 22b. A transport medium can be introduced into or discharged from the housing body 12 via these supply lines 20, allowing a pig to move within the housing body and / or enabling pressure relief.

[0034] The housing body 12 further comprises a handle 24 which extends along the housing body 12 and projects beyond the connecting flange 14. The handle 24 has a hook-shaped section 26 at its free end, which is designed to be hooked onto a connecting flange of the piping system.

[0035] The connecting flange 14 has a centering slot 28 which interacts with a corresponding centering pin of a connecting flange. In combination with the hook-shaped section 26, the centering slot 28 enables a defined orientation of the changeover station 10 relative to the piping system, so that in particular the through-holes 16 are correctly aligned.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1d shows a cross-section through the exchange station 10 with two pigs 50a, 50b arranged one behind the other in the housing body 12. The length of the housing body 12 is preferably selected such that the pigs are held in a defined home position.

[0037] As in the Fig. 1d and Fig. As can be seen in the 1e, each pig is assigned a feed line, allowing the pigs to move independently. Furthermore, it is possible to transport several pigs simultaneously via one of the feed lines, thus enabling flexible control of the pig movement.

[0038] The Fig. 2a and Fig. Figure 2b shows the exchange station 10 in its mounted state on a piping system 34. The piping system 34 has a pipe 36 which transitions into a connecting pipe 38. The connecting pipe 38 is equipped with a connecting flange 30.

[0039] The connecting flange 30 has a centering pin 32 and a centering slot 34. The hook-shaped section 26 of the handle 24 engages in the centering slot 34, while the centering pin 32 interacts with the centering slot 28 of the connecting flange 14. This ensures a defined positioning of the exchange station 10 relative to the connecting flange 30.

[0040] In this position, the through-holes 16 of the connecting flange 14 align with corresponding through-holes of the connecting flange 30, allowing both flanges to be detachably connected. In the assembled state, at least one of the openings 18a, 18b is in fluid communication with a supply line 40. The supply line 40 is connected to a control unit 42, which is designed to control the pigging motion. The control unit 42 has connections 44, 46 through which the supply lines can be selectively connected to a pressure source and / or a pressure relief line.

[0041] This arrangement allows a transport medium to be supplied under pressure to move a pig, or pressure to be reduced. The control device 42 is arranged on the piping system so that the changeover station 10 can be detached from the connection flange 30 without having to modify the control device 42.

[0042] A pressure sensor 48 is provided in the connecting pipe 38, which is designed to detect the internal pressure in the connecting pipe 38. This ensures that the connection or removal of the exchange station 10 only takes place when the system is depressurized.

[0043] The Fig. Figures 3a to 3c show a loading and unloading device 100 for the exchange station 10. This device is used to introduce pigs into or remove them from the exchange station 10.

[0044] The loading and unloading device 100 has a cylindrical receiving body 102 that forms an interior space 116. The receiving body 102 is provided with a receiving flange 104, which is designed for connection to the connecting flange 14 of the exchange station 10. The connection can be made, for example, via a quick-release coupling 106.

[0045] For alignment, a centering pin 108 is provided, which interacts with the connecting flange 14. In the connected state, openings 110a, 110b of the receiving flange 104 are in fluid communication with openings 18a, 18b of the connecting flange 14. These openings can be supplied with a transport medium via lines 112.

[0046] The loading and unloading device 100 further comprises a conical insert 114 that extends into the interior 116. The conical insert 114 causes a diameter transition, so that a pig is gradually compressed or expanded when passing between the transfer station 10 and the loading and unloading device 100.

[0047] A further supply line 120 is provided at the bottom 118 of the receiving body 102, through which a transport medium can be introduced into the interior 116. This allows a pig to be selectively conveyed from the loading and unloading device 100 into the exchange station 10 or, conversely, removed from the exchange station 10. Reference symbol list 10 exchange stations 12 Housing bodies 14 Connecting flange 16 through holes 18a Opening 18b Opening 20a Supply line 20b Supply line 22a Opening (entrance into housing body) 22b Opening (entrance into housing body) 24 handle 26 Hook-shaped section 28 centering slots 30 Connection flange 32 Centering pin 34 Piping system 36 Pipeline 38 Connecting pipe 40 Supply line (plant side) 42 Control unit 44 Connection (pressure / control) 46 Connection (pressure / release) 48 Pressure sensor 50a Newt 50b Newt 100 Loading and unloading device 102 recording bodies 104 Mounting flange 106 Quick-release connection 108 Centering pin 110a Opening 110b Opening 112 Line 114 Conical insert 116 Interior 118 Floor 120 supply line QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3030485A1

[0008]

Claims

Pipeline system (34) for transporting a medium by means of at least one pig (50a, 50b), with a changeover station (10), wherein the changeover station (10) has a cylindrical housing body (12) with a connecting flange (14) provided at one end region, wherein the housing body (12) has at least one pig position for receiving a pig (50a, 50b), wherein each pig position is assigned a supply line (20a, 20b) for a transport medium, by means of which the pig can be moved and / or the transport medium can be drained from the housing body (12), characterized in that at least one of the supply lines (20a, 20b) is connected to a connection adapter, which is designed for detachable connection with a complementary pipe adapter (30) of the pipeline system (34), wherein the pipe adapter (30) is connected to a control device (42) for controlling the movement of the pig. Piping system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection adapter is designed as a connecting flange (14) of the exchange station (10), wherein the connecting flange (14) is connected on its side facing the housing body (12) to at least one of the supply lines (20a, 20b). Piping system according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting flange (14) has through bores (16) through which the at least one supply line (20a, 20b) is guided. Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a pipe (36) of the piping system (34) is provided with a connecting flange (30) to which the connecting flange (14) of the exchange station (10) can be attached. Piping system according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the connecting flange (30) has through holes which, in the assembled state of the exchange station (10), are aligned with the through holes (16) of the connecting flange (14). Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a control device (42) is provided which selectively connects the supply lines (20a, 20b) to the housing body (12) to a pressure source and / or a pressure relief line. Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a pressure sensor (48) is provided upstream of the connection flange (30), wherein the pressure sensor (48) is designed to measure an internal pressure in a pipeline (38) upstream of the connection flange (30). Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a pig sensor is provided for each pig position of the housing body (12), which is designed to detect the presence of a pig (50a, 50b) in the pig position. Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the housing body (12) has a handle (24) which extends beyond the connecting flange (14) and has a hook (26) at its free end with which the handle (24) can be hooked onto a recess of the connecting flange (30). Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connecting flange (14) and the connecting flange (30) are equipped with mutually complementary centering means (28, 32) which enable the connecting flange (14) to be mounted on the connecting flange (30) in a defined orientation. Piping system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connecting flange (30) is connected to a control device (42) which is configured to provide a pressure line and a pressure relief line for each of the supply lines (20a, 20b) to the housing body (12). A pig exchange station (10) for inserting and removing at least one pig (50a, 50b) from a pipeline system (34), comprising a cylindrical housing body (12) and a connecting flange (14), wherein the housing body (12) is designed to accommodate at least one pig (50a, 50b) and can be connected to a complementary connection flange (30) of the pipeline system (34) via the connecting flange (14), characterized in that the housing body (12) has a supply line (20a, 20b) for each pig (50a, 50b) through which a transport medium can be supplied for moving the pig and / or for pressure reduction in the housing body (12), wherein each supply line (20a, 20b) opens into the connecting flange (14). Loading and unloading device (100) for the exchange station (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that a cylindrical receiving body (102) is provided which has an inlet and a bottom (118) on which a connection for a transport medium is provided, wherein the receiving body (102) has an inner diameter which is larger than an inner diameter of the exchange station (10), and wherein the receiving body (102) further comprises a conical insert (114) which is inserted into the inlet and widens in the direction of the inner diameter of the receiving body (102). Loading and unloading device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that a receiving flange (104) is provided which is designed for connection with the connecting flange (14) of the exchange station (10), wherein the receiving flange (104) has through openings (110a, 110b) which are aligned with the through bores (16) of the connecting flange (14).

Images