An undersea pipeline maintenance enhancement device and its usage method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a submarine pipeline maintenance enhancement device and its usage method. The device includes a water-carrying cabin, a control cabin, and an operation cabin connected in sequence from top to bottom. The operation cabin includes a sealed area and an operation area. The sealed area is located on the inner wall of the operation cabin, and the maintenance enhancement device is detached from or adsorbed on the submarine pipeline by adjusting the internal and external pressure difference. The operation area is located between the sealed area and the submarine pipeline. It also includes a maintenance mechanism. The maintenance mechanism includes a wire laying wheel mechanism and a steering wheel mechanism arranged in the control cabin, and a wire laying head and a moving mechanism connected to the wire laying head arranged in the operation cabin. The wire laying material passing through the wire laying wheel mechanism in the wire laying wheel mechanism is introduced into the wire laying head through the steering wheel mechanism, and the moving mechanism drives the wire laying head to move horizontally, longitudinally, and / or circumferentially for laying and repairing. The present invention can detect surface cracks, corrosion defects, etc. of the pipeline in advance during the use of the submarine pipeline and perform automatic repair; and it does not require emptying the inside of the pipeline, reducing the maintenance time and improving the work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of pipeline maintenance, and particularly to a subsea pipeline maintenance enhancement device and a method for using the same. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing progress of science and technology, the development of domestic offshore oil and gas fields has moved towards deep waters. The demand for the exploration and development of marine resources by humans is becoming increasingly strong. The exploitation and utilization of marine mineral resources often require the assistance of offshore oil drilling platforms and subsea oil and gas transportation pipelines. The rated working pressure of high-pressure pipe manifolds can generally reach 35 - 140 MPa. Due to their high working pressure, once the pipe manifold bursts, leakage will occur, causing pollution to the ocean. The subsea pipeline maintenance enhancement device is mainly used to strengthen the repair and maintenance of oil pipeline equipment, ensure that the oil pipeline equipment always has a high quality level, and effectively extend the service life of oil pipelines.

[0003] However, in the field of oil pipelines, the existing maintenance devices and methods have the following deficiencies: (1) The existing technology repairs after leakage occurs, and it is impossible to avoid oil and gas leakage pollution in the ocean; and it is necessary to drain the oil inside the pipeline, so it cannot be used during the operation of the oil and gas pipeline; for example, Chinese Patent CN108591675B discloses a method for maintaining an oil pipeline, but it is for a pipeline that has already had a leak. It is necessary to drain the oil in the oil pipeline first, then find the leak point, and then mark the leak point for maintenance personnel to repair. (2) The existing technology is mostly applicable to the replacement and maintenance of onshore oil and gas pipelines and is not applicable to subsea pipelines; and it cannot directly perform maintenance enhancement on the seabed, with high maintenance costs and great danger. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Object of the Invention: The present invention aims to provide a subsea pipeline maintenance enhancement device and a method for using the same that can monitor abnormalities in advance and automatically repair during the use of the pipeline.

[0005] Technical Solution: A subsea pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to the present invention includes a water-carrying cabin, a control cabin, and an operation cabin that are connected in sequence from top to bottom. The control cabin controls the sinking or floating of the maintenance enhancement device by injecting or draining water into the water-carrying cabin. A thruster for controlling the movement of the maintenance enhancement device is provided on the outer wall of the control cabin. The operation cabin includes a sealed area and an operation area. The sealed area is located on the inner wall of the operation cabin, and the internal and external pressure differences are adjusted by injecting or draining water to enable the maintenance enhancement device to disengage from or adsorb onto the subsea pipeline. The operation area is located between the sealed area and the subsea pipeline. The device further includes a maintenance mechanism. The maintenance mechanism includes a filament winding wheel mechanism and a steering wheel mechanism provided in the control cabin, and a filament head and a moving mechanism connected to the filament head provided in the operation cabin. The filament material passing through the filament winding wheel mechanism in the filament winding wheel mechanism is introduced into the filament head through the steering wheel mechanism, and the moving mechanism drives the filament head to move horizontally, vertically, and / or circumferentially for layer-by-layer repair.

[0006] Preferably, the fiber placement head is arranged in a guiding and sealing pipe perpendicular to the bottom plate of the control cabin.

[0007] Preferably, the fiber placement head and the moving mechanism are connected by magnetic attraction, which facilitates the separation and combination of the two.

[0008] Preferably, the moving mechanism includes a longitudinal guide rail arranged on the inner wall of the operation area of the operation cabin. A longitudinal slider is arranged on the longitudinal guide rail and cooperates with it to form a longitudinal slide rail; a transverse guide rail is connected to the longitudinal slider. A transverse slider is arranged on the transverse guide rail and cooperates with it to form a transverse slide rail; a circumferential guide rail is connected to the transverse slider. A circumferential slider is arranged on the circumferential guide rail and cooperates with it to form a circumferential slide rail.

[0009] Preferably, the maintenance mechanism further includes a camera and an ultrasonic monitor arranged in the operation cabin.

[0010] Preferably, the water-carrying cabin is cylindrical, having a good pressure resistance effect.

[0011] Preferably, the bottom of the operation cabin matches the outer shape of the pipeline.

[0012] Preferably, it further includes a power mechanism arranged in the control cabin, and the power mechanism is a lithium battery.

[0013] Preferably, the fiber placement material is carbon fiber, which has a low cost, good seawater corrosion resistance, high strength, and strong plasticity.

[0014] The using method of the underwater pipeline maintenance enhancement device of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0015] (a) Put the maintenance enhancement device into water, inject water into the water-carrying cabin to make it sink into the water; after entering the water, turn on the thruster to control the overall movement of the maintenance enhancement device;

[0016] (b) Turn on the maintenance mechanism to detect along the underwater pipeline; if no defect is detected on the surface of the underwater pipeline, move forward normally, otherwise enter the next step;

[0017] (c) Adjust the direction and speed of the thruster to align and closely adjoin the bottom of the operation cabin with the surface defect of the underwater pipeline;

[0018] (d) Control the drainage of the sealing area of the operation cabin, and rely on the pressure difference inside and outside the sealing area and the thruster to achieve the sealing between the maintenance enhancement device and the underwater pipeline; after the operation cabin is sealed with the underwater pipeline, control the drainage of the operation area of the operation cabin;

[0019] (e) Docking the fiber placement head with the moving mechanism;

[0020] (f) Heat the fiber placement head to melt the fiber placement material for reshaping, and adjust the moving mechanism to make the fiber placement head close to the surface defect area of the subsea pipeline for layering repair;

[0021] (g) After the repair is completed, turn off the fiber placement head to stop heating, adjust the moving mechanism to the initial position, and separate the fiber placement head from the moving mechanism;

[0022] (h) Inject water into the sealed area of the operation cabin, and adjust the speed and direction of the thruster to separate the maintenance enhancement device from the subsea pipeline;

[0023] (i) Repeat the process of steps (b)-(h) to gradually complete the overall maintenance of the subsea pipeline;

[0024] (j) After the maintenance is completed, control the drainage of the water-filled cabin, and adjust the speed and direction of the thruster to make the maintenance enhancement device rise smoothly to the sea surface.

[0025] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following remarkable advantages: 1. Detect the surface cracks, corrosion defects, etc. of the pipeline in advance during the use of the subsea pipeline and perform automatic repair, avoiding pollution to the ocean caused by pipeline leakage; 2. During the maintenance process, it is not necessary to empty the inside of the pipeline, which will not affect the normal operation of the pipeline, reduce the maintenance time, and improve work efficiency; 3. The maintenance part is automatically completed by the device, without the need for maintenance personnel to perform on-site operations, reducing the risk of oil and gas pipeline maintenance and the cost of oil and gas pipeline maintenance; 4. There is a control platform, which can not only realize the automatic operation of the maintenance work, but also be remotely controlled through an external platform to achieve manual control. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is an internal layout diagram of the control cabin of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 is a front view of the structure of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 is the present invention Figure 3 sectional view in the direction of A;

[0030] Figure 5 is the present invention Figure 4 sectional view in the direction of B;

[0031] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the structure of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the control platform of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the fiber placement head structure of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] The technical solutions of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] As Figure 1 and 3 shown, a submarine pipeline maintenance enhancement device of the present invention includes a water-carrying cabin 1, a control cabin 2, and an operation cabin 3 connected in sequence from top to bottom. The water-carrying cabin body is cylindrical, having a good pressure resistance effect. The bottom shape of the operation cabin matches the shape of the submarine pipeline 4. The inside of the water-carrying cabin 1 and the control cabin 2 is sealed and waterproof. The control cabin 2 makes the maintenance enhancement device sink or float by controlling the injection or drainage of water in the water-carrying cabin 1. A thruster 21 is provided on the outer wall of the control cabin 2 for controlling the overall movement of the maintenance enhancement device. The operation cabin 3 includes a sealed area 34 and an operation area 35. The sealed area 34 is located on the inner wall of the operation cabin 3, and the operation area 35 is located between the sealed area 34 and the submarine pipeline 4. The control cabin 2 adjusts the internal and external pressure difference by controlling the injection or drainage of water in the sealed area 34 to make the maintenance enhancement device detach from or adsorb on the submarine pipeline 4, so as to facilitate operations in the operation area 35.

[0037] As Figure 2 shown, a fiber placement wheel mechanism 22, a steering wheel mechanism 23, and a control platform 24 are provided on the bottom plate of the control cabin 2. The fiber placement wheel mechanism 22 includes a fiber placement wheel base 221, a fiber placement wheel 222, and a fiber placement wheel fixed guide 223. The fiber placement wheel base 221 and the fiber placement wheel fixed guide 223 are connected by bolts, and the fiber placement wheel 222 is installed on the fiber placement wheel base 221. The steering wheel mechanism 23 includes a steering wheel base 231, a steering wheel 232, and a steering wheel fixator 233. The steering wheel base 231 and the steering wheel fixator 233 are connected by bolts, and the steering wheel 232 is provided on the steering wheel base 231. A guiding and sealing tube 25 is also vertically provided on the control cabin bottom plate. The guiding and sealing tube 25 is located inside the operation cabin, and a fiber placement head 26 is arranged inside.

[0038] The fiber placement material is selected as carbon fiber, which has a lower cost, good seawater corrosion resistance, high strength, and strong plasticity. The carbon fiber on the fiber placement wheel 222 passes through the guiding port of the fiber placement wheel fixed guide 223 and is turned by the steering wheel 232 and then introduced into the fiber placement head 26 in the guiding and sealing tube 25. The fiber placement head 26 includes a wire feeding wheel 261 and a heating and melting area 262. As Figure 9 shown, after the carbon fiber filamentous material enters the fiber placement head 26, it enters the heating and melting area 262 by relying on the rotation of the wire feeding wheel 261 and melts at high temperature for re-shaping and laying repair.

[0039] The water injection and drainage method uses a seawater pump type, which is more stable than the compressed air blowing method. Three high-pressure seawater pump mechanisms 27 are provided on the bottom plate of the control cabin 2, and are respectively connected to the water tank 1, the sealed area 34 of the operation cabin and the operation area 35 through drain pipes. The connection parts are sealed and waterproof to control the drainage and water injection of the water tank, the sealed area of the operation cabin and the operation area.

[0040] Specifically, as Figures 7 - 8 shown, the high-pressure seawater pump mechanism 27 includes a high-pressure seawater pump 271, a high-pressure electromagnetic switch 272 and a high-pressure solenoid valve 273. The control platform 24 includes an A / D converter 241, an industrial computer 242, a remote sensing transmitter 243, a D / A converter 244, and a driver 245. Among them, the A / D converter 241 is connected to the high-definition camera 31, the ultrasonic monitor 32 and the high-pressure pressure gauge 28, and the driver 245 is connected to the 3 high-pressure seawater pump mechanisms 27.

[0041] As Figures 4 - 6 shown, the operation area of the operation cabin 3 is provided with a high-definition camera 31, an ultrasonic monitor 32 and a moving mechanism 33. The high-definition camera 31 is arranged at the top of the operation area 35, symmetrically distributed near the sealed area 34, and is connected to the operation cabin 3 by bolts. The ultrasonic monitor 32 is arranged at the top of the operation area 35, symmetrically distributed away from the sealed area 34, and is connected to the operation cabin 3 by bolts.

[0042] The moving mechanism 33 includes a longitudinal guide rail 331 arranged on the side wall of the operation area of the operation cabin. A longitudinal slider 332 is arranged on the longitudinal guide rail 331 and cooperates with it to form a longitudinal slide rail. A transverse guide rail 333 is connected to the longitudinal slider 332. A transverse slider 334 is arranged on the transverse guide rail 333 and cooperates with it to form a transverse slide rail. A circumferential guide rail 335 is connected to the transverse slider 334. A circumferential slider 336 is arranged on the circumferential guide rail 335 and cooperates with it to form a circumferential slide rail. The filament placement head 26 and the circumferential slider 336 are connected by magnetic attraction, and the moving mechanism 33 drives the filament placement head 26 to move horizontally, longitudinally and / or circumferentially.

[0043] The bottom of the operation cabin 3 is wrapped with a sealing rubber 36. The sealing rubber 36 is adhesively connected to the bottom of the operation cabin 3. The sealing rubber has good sealing performance and corrosion resistance, and can enhance the sealing effect of the sealed area 34.

[0044] The power of the maintenance enhancement device depends on the lithium battery 29 installed in the control cabin. The lithium battery has the advantages of high energy storage and high safety, and is more suitable for underwater operation machines.

[0045] The usage method of the subsea pipeline maintenance enhancement device of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0046] (a) Place the maintenance enhancement device into the water. The control platform 24 controls the electromagnetic coil of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch 1-272-1 to be energized. The high-voltage electromagnetic switch 1 is in the left working position. The left electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve 1-273-1 is energized. The high-voltage solenoid valve 1 is in the left working position. The high-pressure seawater pump 1-271-1 is started, and water is injected into the water tank through the drain pipe to make it sink into the water. After entering the water, start the thruster 21 to control the overall movement of the maintenance enhancement device;

[0047] (b) Turn on the high-definition camera 31 and the ultrasonic monitor 32 to detect along the submarine pipeline. If no defect is detected on the surface of the submarine pipeline, move forward normally, otherwise proceed to the next step;

[0048] (c) Adjust the direction and speed of the thruster 21 to align and closely attach the bottom of the operation cabin 3 with the surface defect of the submarine pipeline;

[0049] (d) The control platform 24 controls the electromagnetic coil of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch 2-272-2 to be energized. The high-voltage electromagnetic switch 2 is in the left working position. The right electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve 2-273-2 is energized. The high-voltage solenoid valve 2 is in the right working position. Start the high-pressure seawater pump 2-271-2 to drain the water in the sealed area of the operation cabin 3. Rely on the pressure difference inside and outside the sealed area and the thruster 21 to achieve the seal between the maintenance enhancement device and the submarine pipeline. After the water in the sealed area is drained, the left electrode of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch 2-272-2 is de-energized. The high-voltage electromagnetic switch 2 is in the right working position. The right electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve 2-273-2 is de-energized. The high-voltage solenoid valve 2 returns to the middle position. Turn off the high-pressure seawater pump 2-271-2;

[0050] (e) The control platform 24 controls the electromagnetic coil of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch 3-272-3 to be energized. The high-voltage electromagnetic switch 3 is in the left working position. The right electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve 3-273-3 is energized. The high-voltage solenoid valve 3 is in the right working position. Start the high-pressure seawater pump 3-271-3 to drain the water in the operation area of the operation cabin 3. After the water in the operation area is drained, the electromagnetic coil of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch 3-272-3 is de-energized. The high-voltage electromagnetic switch is in the right working position. The right electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve 3-273-3 is de-energized. The high-voltage solenoid valve 3 is in the middle position;

[0051] (f) Open the bottom of the guiding seal pipe 25, and magnetically dock the wire laying head 26 with the circumferential slider 336 of the moving mechanism;

[0052] (g) Heat the wire laying head to melt the wire laying material for reshaping. Adjust the longitudinal slider 332, the transverse slider 334, and the circumferential slider 336 through the control platform 24 to adjust the moving mechanism so that the wire laying head 26 closely adheres to the outer surface defect area of the submarine pipeline for layering repair;

[0053] (h)After the repair is completed, turn off the fiber placement head 26 to stop heating, adjust the moving mechanism to the initial position, separate the fiber placement head from the moving mechanism, and close the bottom of the guiding and sealing tube 25;

[0054] (i)Energize the electromagnetic coil of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch III 272-3, the high-voltage electromagnetic switch is in the left working position, energize the left electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve III 273-3, the high-voltage solenoid valve III is in the left position, turn on the high-pressure seawater pump III 271-3 to inject water into the operation area of the operation cabin 3. Energize the left electrode of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch II 272-2, the high-voltage electromagnetic switch II is in the left working position, energize the left electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve II 273-2, the high-voltage solenoid valve II is in the left working position, turn on the high-pressure seawater pump II 271-2 to inject water into the sealed area of the operation cabin 3. Adjust the speed and direction of the thruster 21 to disengage the maintenance enhancement device from the submarine pipeline;

[0055] (j)Turn off the high-pressure seawater pump III 271-3 and the high-pressure seawater pump II 271-2. Cut off the power supply to the electromagnetic coil of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch III 272-3, the high-voltage electromagnetic switch III is in the right working position, cut off the power supply to the left electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve III, and the high-voltage solenoid valve III 273-3 is in the middle position. Cut off the power supply to the left electrode of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch II 272-2, the high-voltage electromagnetic switch II is in the right working position, cut off the power supply to the left electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve II 272-3, and the high-voltage solenoid valve II is in the middle position. Adjust the thruster 21 to make the maintenance enhancement device continue to move along the pipeline direction;

[0056] (k)Repeat the process of steps (b)-(j) to gradually complete the overall maintenance of the submarine pipeline;

[0057] (l)After the maintenance is completed, the control platform 24 controls the left electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve I 273-1 to cut off the power supply and the right electrode to be energized. The high-voltage solenoid valve I is in the right working position. The high-pressure seawater pump I 271-1 discharges the water in the water-carrying cabin 1 to increase the overall buoyancy of the maintenance enhancement. After the water in the water-carrying cabin 1 is drained, cut off the power supply to the electrode of the high-voltage electromagnetic switch I 272-1, the high-voltage electromagnetic switch I is in the right working position, cut off the power supply to the right electrode of the high-voltage solenoid valve I 273-1, the high-voltage solenoid valve I is in the middle position, and the high-pressure seawater pump I 272-1 stops working. Adjust the speed and direction of the thruster to make the maintenance enhancement device rise smoothly to the sea surface.

Claims

1. An enhanced device for submarine pipeline maintenance, characterized in that, It includes a water tank (1), a control cabin (2), and an operation cabin (3) connected in sequence from top to bottom. The control cabin (2) makes the maintenance enhancement device sink or float by controlling the injection or drainage of water in the water tank (1). A thruster (21) for controlling the movement of the maintenance enhancement device is provided on the outer wall of the control cabin (2). The operation cabin (3) includes a sealing area (34) and an operation area (35). The sealing area (34) is located on the inner wall of the operation cabin (3), and the maintenance enhancement device is detached from or adsorbed on the submarine pipeline by adjusting the internal and external pressure difference. The operation area (35) is located between the sealing area (34) and the submarine pipeline (4). It also includes a maintenance mechanism. The maintenance mechanism includes a wire laying wheel mechanism (22) and a steering wheel mechanism (23) provided in the control cabin (2), and a wire laying head (26) and a moving mechanism (33) connected to the wire laying head provided in the operation cabin (3). The wire laying material passing through the wire laying wheel mechanism is introduced into the wire laying head through the steering wheel mechanism, and the moving mechanism drives the wire laying head to move horizontally, longitudinally, and / or circumferentially for laminate repair.

2. The undersea pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire laying head (26) is arranged in a guiding and sealing tube (25) perpendicular to the bottom plate of the control cabin (2).

3. The submarine pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 2, wherein The wire laying head (26) and the moving mechanism (33) are connected by magnetic attraction.

4. The undersea pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, wherein The moving mechanism (33) includes a longitudinal guide rail (331) arranged on the inner wall of the operation area (35) of the operation cabin. A longitudinal slider (332) is arranged on the longitudinal guide rail (331) and cooperates with it; a transverse guide rail (333) is connected to the longitudinal slider (332), and a transverse slider (334) is arranged on the transverse guide rail (333) and cooperates with it; a circumferential guide rail (335) is connected to the transverse slider (334), and a circumferential slider (336) is arranged on the circumferential guide rail (335) and cooperates with it.

5. The underwater pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, wherein, The maintenance mechanism also includes a camera (31) and an ultrasonic monitor (32) arranged in the operation cabin.

6. The undersea pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank (1) is cylindrical.

7. The undersea pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the operation cabin (3) matches the shape of the pipeline.

8. The underwater pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a power mechanism (29) arranged in the control cabin. The power mechanism is a lithium battery.

9. The submarine pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to claim 1, wherein The wire laying material is carbon fiber.

10. The method of using the undersea pipeline maintenance enhancement device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: (a) Put the maintenance enhancement device into the water, inject water into the water tank to make it sink into the water; after entering the water, turn on the thruster to control the overall movement of the maintenance enhancement device; (b) Turn on the maintenance mechanism to detect along the submarine pipeline; if no defect is detected on the surface of the submarine pipeline, move forward normally, otherwise go to the next step; (c) Adjust the direction and speed of the thruster to align and closely attach the bottom of the operation cabin to the surface defect of the submarine pipeline; (d) Control the drainage of the sealing area of the operation cabin, and rely on the internal and external pressure difference of the sealing area and the thruster to achieve the sealing between the maintenance enhancement device and the submarine pipeline; after the operation cabin is sealed with the submarine pipeline, control the drainage of the operation area of the operation cabin; (e) Docking the wire laying head with the moving mechanism; (f) Heat the wire laying head to melt the wire laying material for reshaping, and adjust the moving mechanism to make the wire laying head closely attach to the surface defect area of the submarine pipeline for laminate repair; (g) After the repair is completed, turn off the wire laying head to stop heating, adjust the moving mechanism to the initial position, and separate the wire laying head from the moving mechanism; (h) Inject water into the sealed area of the operation cabin, and adjust the speed and direction of the thruster to disengage the maintenance enhancement device from the subsea pipeline; (i) Repeat the process of steps (b)-(h) to gradually complete the overall maintenance of the subsea pipeline; (j) After the maintenance is completed, control the drainage of the water tank, and adjust the speed and direction of the thruster to make the maintenance enhancement device rise smoothly to the sea surface.

Images