Emergency treatment device and emergency treatment method for crack propagation in seawater pipelines

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of safety devices for seawater pipelines, and discloses an emergency treatment device and method for crack propagation in seawater pipelines. The emergency treatment device includes a storage tank, a crack detection mechanism, and a controller. The storage tank is filled with a long-chain polymer solution and is connected to the seawater pipeline via a filling pipeline equipped with an electric valve. The crack detection mechanism includes a crack sensor and a signal processor. The crack sensor is installed in the seawater pipeline, and the signal processor is electrically connected to the crack sensor. Both the signal processor and the electric valve are electrically connected to the controller. This emergency treatment device for crack propagation in seawater pipelines can achieve emergency control of the crack propagation rate in high-pressure seawater pipelines, thereby improving the reliability and safety of high-pressure seawater systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of safety devices for seawater pipelines, and in particular to an emergency treatment device and method for crack propagation in seawater pipelines. Background Technology

[0002] One of the main functions of seawater on ships is to cool diesel engines and other mechanical equipment, as well as other cooling media. The seawater system is an open seawater system, which mainly uses seawater as a coolant to cool fresh water, lubricating oil, pressurized air, diesel engines, and air compressors. The system uses large-displacement seawater pumps to deliver seawater from outside the ship to various seawater users, and then discharges the used seawater overboard.

[0003] Currently, seawater pipelines are ubiquitous on ships, serving not only as cooling equipment but also vital functions such as firefighting, ballasting, and flushing. They play a crucial role in ensuring the normal operation, safety, and balance of the vessel. However, seawater pipelines are primarily constructed of metal, and the fluid they transport is seawater, a highly corrosive medium. This corrosiveness can cause localized or overall thinning of the pipeline walls, reducing their pressure-bearing capacity and creating a risk of leakage and cracking, potentially even leading to rupture. Existing crack control technologies for seawater pipelines mainly focus on crack prevention and post-damage handling; research on emergency treatment of pipelines experiencing crack propagation is still lacking. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an emergency treatment device and method for crack propagation in seawater pipelines, filling the current gap in emergency treatment of seawater pipelines with expanding cracks, thereby improving the operational safety of seawater pipelines.

[0005] This invention provides an emergency treatment device for crack propagation in seawater pipelines, comprising a storage tank, a crack detection mechanism, and a controller. The storage tank is filled with a long-chain polymer solution and is connected to a seawater pipeline via a filling pipeline, on which an electric valve is installed. The crack detection mechanism includes a crack sensor and a signal processor. The crack sensor is installed in the seawater pipeline, and the signal processor is electrically connected to the crack sensor. Both the signal processor and the electric valve are electrically connected to the controller.

[0006] The crack sensor is a guided wave sensor, and the signal processor is a guided wave detector. The guided wave detector is used to emit an excitation signal and excite ultrasonic guided waves in the seawater pipeline through the guided wave sensor. The guided wave sensor is used to collect the echo signal generated by the reflection of the ultrasonic guided waves at the crack and send the echo signal to the guided wave detector. The guided wave detector obtains the crack size value in the seawater pipeline based on the echo signal and sends the crack size value to the controller.

[0007] The guided wave sensor includes a transmitting coil winding and a receiving coil winding wound around the seawater pipeline. The guided wave detector includes a transmitting module, a receiving module, and a processing module. The input end of the transmitting module is electrically connected to the controller, and the output end of the transmitting module is electrically connected to the input end of the transmitting coil winding, so as to excite ultrasonic guided waves on the seawater pipeline through the transmitting coil winding.

[0008] The output terminal of the receiving coil winding, the receiving module, the processing module, and the controller are connected in sequence to convert the echo signal into an electrical signal and send it to the controller.

[0009] The crack sensor is a fiber Bragg grating sensor, and the signal processor is an optical signal modulator. The optical signal modulator emits an optical signal, which is reflected back to the optical signal modulator by the fiber Bragg grating sensor. The optical signal modulator obtains the crack size value on the seawater pipeline based on the reflected optical signal and sends the detected crack size value to the controller.

[0010] In this configuration, multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors are spaced apart on the same optical fiber. The optical signal modulator includes a broadband light source, a coupler, and a demodulation module. The broadband light source, the coupler, and the multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors are connected in sequence. The demodulation module is connected to the coupler. The input end of the broadband light source is electrically connected to the controller, and the output end of the demodulation module is electrically connected to the controller.

[0011] It also includes a first flow meter installed on the seawater pipeline and a second flow meter installed on the filling pipeline, both of which are electrically connected to the controller.

[0012] The long-chain polymer solution is a polyacrylamide solution, a polyvinyl alcohol solution, a polyethylene glycol solution, a polyacrylic acid solution, or a polymethacrylic acid solution.

[0013] This invention also provides an emergency treatment method using the seawater pipeline crack propagation emergency treatment device described above, comprising:

[0014] The crack sensor detects the crack size signal, which is then processed by the signal processor and sent to the controller. The controller calculates the first derivative of the crack size value with respect to time to obtain the measured crack propagation rate value.

[0015] When the measured crack propagation rate is greater than the preset crack propagation rate, the controller sends an opening signal to the electric valve, and the long-chain polymer solution enters the seawater pipeline through the injection pipeline.

[0016] The process further includes, after the long-chain polymer solution enters the seawater pipeline through the filling pipeline:

[0017] The controller obtains the concentration value of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline based on the flow rate of the long-chain polymer solution and the seawater flow rate.

[0018] When the concentration of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline is less than a preset concentration value, the controller sends an increase opening signal to the electric valve; when the concentration of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline is equal to the preset concentration value, the controller sends a maintain opening signal to the electric valve; when the concentration of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline is greater than the preset concentration value, the controller sends a decrease opening signal to the electric valve.

[0019] The present invention provides an emergency treatment device and method for crack propagation in seawater pipelines. The emergency treatment device monitors the crack propagation rate in the seawater pipeline in real time and promptly injects a long-chain polymer solution into the pipeline when the crack propagation intensifies. The long-chain polymer stabilizes the seawater flow and reduces the frictional resistance of the seawater in the pipeline. This emergency treatment device for crack propagation in seawater pipelines can achieve emergency control of the crack propagation rate in high-pressure seawater pipelines, thereby improving the reliability and safety of high-pressure seawater systems. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an emergency treatment device for the propagation of cracks in a seawater pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a graph showing the relationship between the concentration of long-chain polymers and the crack propagation rate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a crack detection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is an installation diagram of another crack detection mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 1. Liquid storage tank; 2. Crack sensor; 21. Guided wave sensor;

[0027] 211. Transmitting coil winding; 212. Receiving coil winding; 22. Fiberoptic grating sensor;

[0028] 3. Signal processor; 31. Guided wave detector; 311. Transmitting module;

[0029] 312. Receiving module; 313. Processing module; 32. Optical signal modulator;

[0030] 321. Broadband light source; 322. Coupler; 323. Demodulation module;

[0031] 324. Fiber optic cable; 4. Controller; 5. Filling pipeline;

[0032] 51. Electric valve; 6. Seawater pipeline; 7. Seawater pump;

[0033] 71. Seawater inlet pipeline; 8. Seawater user; 81. Seawater outlet pipeline;

[0034] 9. Cables. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] It should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly; for example, it can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, an emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage tank 1, a crack detection mechanism, and a controller 4. The storage tank 1 is filled with a long-chain polymer solution and is connected to a seawater pipeline 6 via a filling pipeline 5. An electric valve 51 is installed on the filling pipeline 5. The crack detection mechanism includes a crack sensor 2 and a signal processor 3. The crack sensor 2 is installed on the seawater pipeline 6, and the signal processor 3 is electrically connected to the crack sensor 2 via a cable 9. Both the signal processor 3 and the electric valve 51 are electrically connected to the controller 4 via cables 9.

[0039] Specifically, the storage tank 1 is a pressure vessel, and its pressure can be higher than the operating pressure of the seawater pipeline 6 to facilitate the replenishment of the long-chain polymer solution into the seawater pipeline 6. The inlet of the seawater pipeline 6 is connected to the seawater pump 7, and the outlet of the seawater pipeline 6 is connected to the corresponding seawater user 8. The number of seawater pumps 7 and the layout of the seawater pipeline 6 can be adjusted and designed according to actual conditions. Figure 1 The diagram is for illustrative purposes only. Seawater can be pumped from the ship to the corresponding seawater user 8 via seawater inlet pipe 71 and seawater pipe 6. The used seawater is then discharged back to the ship via seawater outlet pipe 81, forming an open seawater circulation system.

[0040] Crack sensors 2 can be installed at critical structural locations in the seawater pipeline 6 to monitor cracks in real time. The signals detected by the crack sensors 2 are transmitted in real time to the signal processor 3 for processing, obtaining the crack size value at the corresponding location, and then transmitting it to the controller 4. The crack size value typically starts from a depth of less than 0.1 mm and gradually increases. When the controller 4 detects that the crack propagation rate exceeds a certain value, it determines that the crack propagation at the corresponding critical structural location in the seawater pipeline 6 has intensified. The controller 4 then sends an opening command to the electric valve 51, which opens, allowing the long-chain polymer solution in the storage tank 1 to be injected into the seawater pipeline 6 through the filling pipeline 5. Figure 2 The graph shows the relationship between the concentration of long-chain polymers in seawater pipelines and the crack propagation rate. The experimental results show that adding a certain concentration of long-chain polymers can significantly and rapidly reduce the crack propagation rate of seawater pipelines, which is beneficial for emergency treatment to control crack propagation.

[0041] The emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation provided in this embodiment monitors the crack propagation rate in real time and promptly injects a long-chain polymer solution into the seawater pipeline when the crack propagation intensifies. The long-chain polymer stabilizes the seawater flow and reduces the frictional resistance of the seawater in the pipeline. This emergency treatment device can achieve emergency control of the crack propagation rate in high-pressure seawater pipelines, thereby improving the reliability and safety of high-pressure seawater systems.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the crack sensor 2 is a guided wave sensor 21, and the signal processor 3 is a guided wave detector 31. The guided wave detector 31 is used to emit an excitation signal and excite ultrasonic guided waves on the seawater pipeline 6 through the guided wave sensor 21. The guided wave sensor 21 is used to collect the echo signal generated by the reflection of the ultrasonic guided wave at the crack and send the echo signal to the guided wave detector 31. The guided wave detector 31 obtains the crack size value on the seawater pipeline 6 based on the echo signal and sends the crack size value to the controller 4.

[0043] Specifically, the principle of guided wave crack detection is to generate elastic guided waves by exciting mechanical vibrations inside the seawater pipeline 6. When the guided waves propagate inside the seawater pipeline 6 and encounter cracks on the seawater pipeline 6, part of the waves will be reflected back. When the reflected guided waves pass through the guided wave sensor 21, the magnetostrictive inverse effect occurs, causing an electrical signal to be generated in the guided wave sensor 21. The guided wave detector 31 collects, processes and analyzes the signal generated in the guided wave sensor 21, thereby realizing the detection of pipeline cracks.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the guided wave sensor 21 includes a transmitting coil winding 211 and a receiving coil winding 212 wound around the seawater pipe 6. The transmitting coil winding 211 and the receiving coil winding 212 can be wound around the outside of the pipe in a strip shape, or they can be directly fastened to the outside of the pipe in a semi-circular shell. The guided wave sensor 21 integrates guided wave excitation and reception functions.

[0045] The guided wave detector 31 includes a transmitting module 311, a receiving module 312, and a processing module 313. The input of the transmitting module 311 is electrically connected to the controller 4 to transmit an excitation signal under the command of the controller 4. The output of the transmitting module 311 is electrically connected to the input of the transmitting coil winding 211 to excite ultrasonic guided waves on the seawater pipeline 6 through the transmitting coil winding 211. The transmitting module 311 can emit an excitation pulse signal. The output of the receiving coil winding 212, the receiving module 312, the processing module 313, and the controller 4 are sequentially connected to convert the echo signal into an electrical signal and send it to the controller 4. The processing module 313 can filter and amplify the signal from the receiving module 312. By comparing and analyzing the characteristics of the transmitted pulse and the echo signal, the crack size value on the seawater pipeline 6 is obtained, and the crack size value is sent to the controller 4. More specifically, the guided wave sensor 21 and the guided wave detector 31 in this embodiment can be directly purchased from the market.

[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the crack sensor 2 is a fiber Bragg grating sensor 22, and the signal processor 3 is an optical signal modulator 32. The optical signal modulator 32 is used to emit an optical signal, which is reflected back to the optical signal modulator 32 after being reflected by the fiber Bragg grating sensor 22. The optical signal modulator 32 obtains the crack size value on the seawater pipeline 6 based on the reflected optical signal and sends the detected crack size value to the controller 4.

[0047] Specifically, the principle of fiber optic crack detection is that the appearance of cracks in the seawater pipeline 6 and the size changes of the cracks cause wavelength shifts, phase changes, polarization state changes and intensity changes in the reflected or transmitted spectrum of the fiber optic grating sensor 22. By demodulating these spectral changes, the crack size can be detected.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 4As shown, multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors 22 are spaced apart on the same optical fiber 324, each corresponding to a different detection point. Each fiber Bragg grating sensor 22 has a different coupling resonant center wavelength but the same bandwidth. The optical signal modulator 32 includes a broadband light source 321, a coupler 322, and a demodulation module 323. The broadband light source 321 matches the wavelength range of the fiber Bragg grating sensors 22. The broadband light source 321, coupler 322, and multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors 22 are connected sequentially, and the demodulation module 323 is connected to the coupler 322. In use, the broadband light source 321 emits light signals containing various wavelengths, which enter the fiber Bragg grating sensors 22 via the coupler 322 and optical fiber 324. Each fiber Bragg grating sensor 22 reflects only the light wave of its own center reflection wavelength. When a crack size change occurs near the detection point, the center reflection wavelength of the corresponding fiber Bragg grating sensor 22 shifts. The reflected light signal from the fiber Bragg grating sensor 22 enters the demodulation module 323 through the coupler 322 to obtain the crack size value. The demodulation module 323 can be a spectrum analyzer or a wavelength encoding and demodulation, photoelectric conversion system. The input of the broadband light source 321 is electrically connected to the controller 4 to emit optical signals under the command of the controller 4. The output of the demodulation module 323 is electrically connected to the controller 4 to send the crack size value to the controller 4. The fiber optic grating sensor 22 and the optical signal modulator 32 in this embodiment can be purchased directly from the market.

[0049] Furthermore, the system includes a first flow meter (not shown in the figure) installed on the seawater pipeline 6 and a second flow meter (not shown in the figure) installed on the filling pipeline 5. Both the first and second flow meters are electrically connected to the controller. The first flow meter is used to detect the seawater flow rate, and the second flow meter is used to detect the long-chain polymer solution flow rate. By dividing the long-chain polymer solution flow rate by the seawater flow rate, the concentration of the long-chain polymer in the seawater pipeline 6 can be obtained, and the opening of the electric valve 51 can be adjusted based on this measured concentration.

[0050] Based on the above embodiments, the long-chain polymer solution can be a polyacrylamide solution, a polyvinyl alcohol solution, a polyethylene glycol solution, a polyacrylic acid solution, or a polymethacrylic acid solution. Long-chain polymers, also known as linear polymers, are polymers with a chain structure mainly composed of many interconnected units of monomers. They can swell and dissolve in suitable solvents, thereby increasing the stability of seawater flow. This embodiment uses a polyacrylamide solution as an example. Polyacrylamide is a general term for polymers obtained by homopolymerization of acrylamide or copolymerization with other monomers. It is a water-soluble polymer with good water solubility and high chemical activity. Polyacrylamide aqueous solutions have high viscosity, good thickening, flocculation, and rheology regulation effects, and can reduce the deposition of pollutants in seawater on the walls of seawater pipelines, slowing down corrosion and scaling.

[0051] This invention also provides an emergency treatment method using the seawater pipeline crack propagation emergency treatment device described above, comprising:

[0052] Step S10: The crack sensor 2 sends the detected crack size signal to the controller 4 after processing by the signal processor 3. The controller 4 calculates the first derivative of the crack size value with respect to time to obtain the measured crack propagation rate value.

[0053] Step S20: When the measured crack propagation rate is greater than the preset crack propagation rate, the controller 4 sends an opening signal to the electric valve 51, and the long-chain polymer solution enters the seawater pipeline 6 through the injection pipeline 5. The long-chain polymer solution can be injected into the seawater pipeline 6 by opening the electric valve 51.

[0054] Furthermore, after step S20, the method further includes:

[0055] Step S30: Controller 4 obtains the concentration value of long-chain polymer in the seawater pipeline based on the flow rate of the long-chain polymer solution and the seawater flow rate.

[0056] Step S30: When the concentration of long-chain polymers in seawater pipeline 6 is less than the preset concentration value, controller 4 sends an increase opening signal to electric valve 51; when the concentration of long-chain polymers in seawater pipeline 6 is equal to the preset concentration value, controller 4 sends a maintain opening signal to electric valve 51; when the concentration of long-chain polymers in seawater pipeline 6 is greater than the preset concentration value, controller 4 sends a decrease opening signal to electric valve 51. By adjusting the opening of electric valve 51, the concentration of long-chain polymers in seawater pipeline 6 can be kept at the optimal concentration value (i.e., the inflection point or critical point on the test curve), minimizing the crack propagation rate.

[0057] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the emergency treatment device and method for seawater pipeline crack propagation provided by the present invention, wherein the emergency treatment device monitors the crack propagation rate of the seawater pipeline in real time and promptly injects a long-chain polymer solution into the seawater pipeline when the crack propagation intensifies. The long-chain polymer stabilizes the seawater flow and reduces the frictional resistance of the seawater in the pipeline. This emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation can achieve emergency control of the crack propagation rate of high-pressure seawater pipelines, thereby improving the reliability and safety of high-pressure seawater systems.

[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An emergency treatment device for the propagation of cracks in seawater pipelines, characterized in that, The system includes a storage tank, a crack detection mechanism, and a controller. The storage tank is filled with a long-chain polymer solution and is connected to a seawater pipeline via a filling pipeline, on which an electric valve is installed. The crack detection mechanism includes a crack sensor and a signal processor. The crack sensor is installed in the seawater pipeline, and the signal processor is electrically connected to the crack sensor. Both the signal processor and the electric valve are electrically connected to the controller. It also includes a first flow meter installed in the seawater pipeline and a second flow meter installed in the filling pipeline, both of which are electrically connected to the controller; The long-chain polymer solution is a polyacrylamide solution, a polyvinyl alcohol solution, a polyethylene glycol solution, a polyacrylic acid solution, or a polymethacrylic acid solution; The crack sensor detects the crack size signal, processes it through a signal processor, and sends it to the controller. The controller calculates the first derivative of the crack size value with respect to time to obtain the measured crack propagation rate value. When the measured crack propagation rate is greater than the preset crack propagation rate, the controller sends an opening signal to the electric valve, and the long-chain polymer solution enters the seawater pipeline through the injection pipeline.

2. The emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crack sensor is a guided wave sensor, and the signal processor is a guided wave detector. The guided wave detector is used to emit an excitation signal and excite ultrasonic guided waves in the seawater pipeline through the guided wave sensor. The guided wave sensor is used to collect the echo signal generated by the reflection of the ultrasonic guided waves at the crack and send the echo signal to the guided wave detector. The guided wave detector obtains the crack size value in the seawater pipeline based on the echo signal and sends the crack size value to the controller.

3. The emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guided wave sensor includes a transmitting coil winding and a receiving coil winding wound around the seawater pipeline. The guided wave detector includes a transmitting module, a receiving module and a processing module. The input terminal of the transmitting module is electrically connected to the controller, and the output terminal of the transmitting module is electrically connected to the input terminal of the transmitting coil winding, so as to excite ultrasonic guided waves on the seawater pipeline through the transmitting coil winding. The output terminal of the receiving coil winding, the receiving module, the processing module, and the controller are connected in sequence to convert the echo signal into an electrical signal and send it to the controller.

4. The emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crack sensor is a fiber Bragg grating sensor, and the signal processor is an optical signal modulator. The optical signal modulator is used to emit an optical signal, which is reflected back to the optical signal modulator by the fiber Bragg grating sensor. The optical signal modulator obtains the crack size value on the seawater pipeline based on the reflected optical signal and sends the detected crack size value to the controller.

5. The emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation according to claim 4, characterized in that, Multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors are spaced apart on the same optical fiber. The optical signal modulator includes a broadband light source, a coupler, and a demodulation module. The broadband light source, the coupler, and the multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors are connected in sequence. The demodulation module is connected to the coupler. The input end of the broadband light source is electrically connected to the controller, and the output end of the demodulation module is electrically connected to the controller.

6. The emergency treatment device for seawater pipeline crack propagation according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the long-chain polymer solution enters the seawater pipeline through the filling pipeline, it further includes: The controller obtains the concentration value of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline based on the flow rate of the long-chain polymer solution and the seawater flow rate. When the concentration of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline is less than a preset concentration value, the controller sends an increase opening signal to the electric valve; when the concentration of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline is equal to the preset concentration value, the controller sends a maintain opening signal to the electric valve; when the concentration of long-chain polymers in the seawater pipeline is greater than the preset concentration value, the controller sends a decrease opening signal to the electric valve.

Images