Re-lined pipe technique for wear mitigation in slurry transport pipeline

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus, including a pigging tool, that comprises a spraying mechanism configured to move along an inner surface of a pipeline, including a slurry transport pipeline in a minable oilsands facility or plant, and to spray a coating on the inner surface of the pipeline; and a curing source, including an ultraviolet (UV) light source, a microwave source or an RF source, configured to cure the coating sprayed on the inner surface of the pipeline in situ as the spray mechanism moves along the inner surface of the pipeline.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 548,492, filed 18 Oct. 2011 (WFVA / CiDRA Nos. 712-2.362 / CCS-0066), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]This invention relates to a technique for wear mitigation in a pipeline; and more particularly to a method and apparatus for re-lining a slurry transport pipeline for wear mitigation.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]To overcome the significant wear that can occur in pipelines carrying slurry materials, particularly as in the mineable oil sands industry, many producers are adopting ‘lined’ carbon steel pipes in the most aggressive slurries, for example coarse tailings These steel pipes are lined with materials such as urethane with other elastomers. For example, one known lined pipe, such as Iracore International's Irathane® lined pipe, combines a thin layer of rubber against the i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In summary, the present invention provides a technique in which the wear in a pipe or pipeline is mitigated by the use of a so-called “sacrificial” coating re-applied each time the pipeline undergoes a scheduled maintenance shutdown. For example, during such a shut-down the pipe or pipeline may be cleaned using known ‘pigging’ technology, and then a subsequent pigging tool may be introduced to the pipeline which allows for the spray-coat application of a coating, such as a polymer coating, which is then cured (polymerized) in-situ. The coating is configured

Problems solved by technology

While these materials provide good resistance to abrasion, and have projected lifetimes of 10 years, ultrasonic non-destructive examination (NDE) approaches to detecting the lining wear (wall thickness) may be compromised, and in some cases are not possible, due to the poor impedance discrimination between the steel and various liners (as compared to pipes having just steel).

Consequently, monitoring the wear rates and status of a lined pipe i

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