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Internal pipe slot tool

a technology of internal pipes and tools, applied in earth drilling, fluid removal, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of escaping lfg emissions, a loss of the opportunity to capture and use a significant energy resource, and the extraction of lfg from upper elevations by shallower wells is a capital intensive process

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-10-08
PROSPECTOR DRILLING & TOOL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes an internal slot tool that is used to cut vertical slots in existing methane well riser pipes to allow for additional production of gas. The tool is designed for landfill facilities and is powered by a non-sparking power supply. It can be used to ventilate riser pipes and increase the recovery of gas. The tool has a cutting apparatus that can be extended to slot the pipe and is sealed to prevent leaks. The motor used in the tool can be an electric, hydraulic, or compressed air motor, depending on the size of the pipe. The tool body can be made of plastic, ceramic, metal, or brass, and the cutting blades can be at various angles. The tool is placed within the pipe and the cutting apparatus is extended to slot the pipe. The tool can be used in various pipe sizes and can have a variety of cutting blades to achieve the desired slot length. The technical effects of the patent are the development of a tool that allows for efficient and safe ventilation of riser pipes and increased production of gas from methane wells."

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, these escaping LFG emissions are a lost opportunity to capture and use a significant energy resource.
Extraction of LFG from upper elevations by drilling shallower wells is a capital intensive process.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example i

Pneumatic Cutter Tool

[0030]In one embodiment an airtool was designed to cut ¼″ slots in a 6 to 8 inch diameter pipe. The tool including housing, motor, cutters, pusher motor and housing, is approximately 28″ in overall length and about 4¾ inches in overall diameter. The cutting wheels are shown in their fully deployed position (FIG. 4). The Cutter is held in place on the shaft with a washer and screw. A double row ball bearing is used to support the shaft. The bearing is captured in the arm by an internal shoulder in the arm and a flange on the cutter shaft. The pusher arm is also attached to the shaft to move the cutter out to the pipe ID. Cutter deployment is slowed or stopped when the arm impacts the ID of the tube and cutting begins, the arm is then extended further until a slot is cut through the pipe. A pneumatic motor or electric motor (45) may be used to deploy the arms (26). One advantage of a pneumatic motor is that stall does not hurt the motor. With an electric motor, mo...

example ii

Electric Cutter Tool

[0038]In another embodiment a sealed electric motor is used to power the internal cutter tool. Electric motors can provide drive and torque from a motor with a smaller diameter. The cutting tool can be scaled to very small diameters using electric AC or DC motors. Brushless motors can minimize the danger of spark or flames. Containing the electric motor in a sealed housing may be an added safety measure.

[0039]In one embodiment a ½ horsepower electric motor rotates a drive shaft bevel or miter gear. The drive shaft bevel or miter gear drives a second miter or bevel gear. The second gear drives a cutter arm belt that in turn rotates the cutter shaft. The cutter shaft rotates one or two cutters, thus cutting a slot or pair of slots into the riser pipe. The cutting arms may be pushed out by the main motor when the motor is activated, or may be driven by a second motor or solenoid.

example iii

Tool Operation

[0040]Methane wells may be ventilated when methane production from a given well is reduced due to clogging, flooding, pipe damage, or other factors that may make the well inoperable. A riser may also be slotted as upper waste bodies begin to produce methane, or risers may be vented in an effort to reduce total methane emissions. First, a visual inspection of the vertical pipe ensures the riser is continuous and not damaged. A video camera is run down the pipe to identify obstructions, mark depths and identify any bends in the pipe. Depths of target waste body and desired areas for slotting are then diagrammed and the amount of slotting required for waste body length is calculated. The internal slot tool is dropped or lowered down the vertical pipe (or pushed if a solid pipe, bar, or wire is attached) to the desired depth. Cutting is initiated by powering the tool and expanding the cutting apparatus to the walls of the pipe. The tool is raised a desired length while cut...

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PUM

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Abstract

An apparatus and method to internally cut vertical slots inside PVC, HDPE, or plastic pipe-riser (blank casing) in existing methane gas recovery wells (extraction wells) that have been installed at Municipal Solid Waste Facilities are described. Vertical slots cut in methane well risers allow methane gas, LFG derived from the decomposition of waste, to enter the existing riser and extraction system. This process saves time and cost associated with drilling additional wells to retrieve methane gas from subsequent layers of the waste body. The process assists in maintaining regulatory compliance by capturing LFG and preventing it from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Description

PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 866,699 filed Nov. 21, 2006 entitled “Internal Pipe Slot Tool,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH STATEMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX[0003]Not applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0004]The invention is a tool for internally cutting vertical slots in plastic pipe and a method of using an internal pipe cutter to improve methane extraction from municipal solid waste facilities (MSWFs). The method uses an internal pipe cutter to slot existing riser pipe and extract additional methane from methane recovery wells at MSWFs. By internally slotting the methane well riser pipes, the volume and rate of methane extraction is enhanced, the amount of methane extracted from a given landfill unit is increased and less methane is emitted into the atmosphere. Increasing methane capture and production while reducing...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E21B29/00E21B43/11
CPCE21B29/08E21B29/005
Inventor STAMOULIS, STEFAN
Owner PROSPECTOR DRILLING & TOOL
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