A pipeline inspection system

Abstract

The application discloses a pipeline detection system, relates to the technical field of pipeline detection, and aims to solve the problem of how to improve the safety of a salt cavern gas storage gathering pipeline. The detection system comprises a pipeline to be detected, a detection ball assembly and a first gas injection structure. The detection ball assembly is adapted to move along the length direction of the pipeline to be detected, so as to detect the corrosion condition inside the pipeline to be detected. The first gas injection structure is connected with one end of the pipeline to be detected, and is used for conveying gas into the pipeline to be detected, so that the detection ball assembly moves under the action of the gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pipeline inspection technology, and in particular to a pipeline inspection system. Background Technology

[0002] Pipelines may be corroded during use due to the presence of corrosive substances. For example, natural gas pipelines transporting natural gas may be corroded by substances such as hydrogen sulfide and saturated salt water contained in the natural gas, thus affecting the use of the pipeline.

[0003] After a period of use, pipelines require inspection. Current technology typically involves internal pipeline inspection. However, pipelines used in salt cavern gas storage facilities, for example, often lack the necessary internal inspection equipment. This prevents them from being inspected using conventional internal inspection procedures, hindering staff from assessing internal corrosion and compromising the safety of these pipelines. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a pipeline inspection system that aims to address the issue of how to improve the safety of gathering and transmission pipelines in salt cavern gas storage facilities.

[0005] This application provides a pipeline inspection system, including a pipeline to be inspected, an inspection ball assembly, and a first gas injection structure. The inspection ball assembly is adapted to move along the length of the pipeline to be inspected to detect corrosion inside the pipeline; the first gas injection structure is connected to one end of the pipeline to be inspected and is used to deliver gas into the pipeline to cause the inspection ball assembly to move under the action of the gas.

[0006] In the above scheme, gas is supplied to the pipeline to be inspected through the first gas injection structure. The gas creates pressure on one side of the detection ball assembly, which drives the detection ball assembly to move along the pipeline, thereby detecting the internal corrosion of the pipeline. This allows personnel to understand the corrosion situation inside the pipeline, facilitating timely response based on the corrosion status, and improving the safety of natural gas transportation through the gathering and transmission pipeline.

[0007] Optionally, the first gas injection structure includes a first gas well, which is connected to one end of the pipeline to be tested via a first pipe for delivering gas into the pipeline to be tested.

[0008] Optionally, the detection system further includes a first pressure controller connected to the first pipeline for controlling the pressure of the gas delivered by the first gas injection structure.

[0009] Optionally, the detection system further includes a second gas injection structure, which is connected to the end of the pipeline to be detected away from the first gas injection structure, and is used to deliver gas into the pipeline to be detected; the gas pressure delivered by the first gas injection structure is greater than the gas pressure delivered by the second gas injection structure.

[0010] Optionally, the second gas injection structure includes a second gas well, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested via a second pipe.

[0011] Optionally, the detection system further includes a second pressure controller, which controls the gas pressure input to the pipeline under test by the second gas injection structure.

[0012] Optionally, the second gas injection structure includes a control valve, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested via a second pipeline.

[0013] Optionally, the detection system further includes a venting pipeline, which includes a connection end and a discharge end. The connection end is connected to the second pipeline, and the discharge end is connected to the outside for discharging gas.

[0014] Optionally, the detection system further includes an ignition device located at the discharge end to ignite the combustible gas discharged from the vent pipe.

[0015] Optionally, the detection system further includes a first switch and a second switch, wherein the first switch is connected to one end of the pipe to be detected near the first gas injection structure, and the second switch is connected to one end of the pipe to be detected away from the first gas injection structure; the detection ball assembly is adapted to enter the pipe to be detected through the first switch and to be removed from the pipe to be detected through the second switch. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a pipeline inspection system provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the pipeline structure of a first gas well provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the pipeline structure of a second gas well provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure label:

[0021] 1. Pipe to be tested; 2. First gas injection structure; 3. Second gas injection structure; 4. Vent pipe; 51. First pipe; 52. Second pipe; 6. First switch; 7. Second switch; 8. Ignition device; 9. Detection ball assembly; 10. First pressure controller; 11. Second pressure controller. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "fifth," and "sixth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "fifth," and "sixth" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0023] In embodiments of this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0024] "A and / or B" includes the following three combinations: A only, B only, and a combination of A and B.

[0025] In the embodiments of this application, "parallel," "perpendicular," and "equal" include the described situation and situations similar to the described situation, the range of which is within an acceptable deviation range, said acceptable deviation range being determined by those skilled in the art taking into account the measurement under discussion and the error associated with the measurement of a particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "parallel" includes absolute parallelism and approximate parallelism, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate parallelism may be, for example, a deviation within 5°; "perpendicular" includes absolute perpendicularity and approximate perpendicularity, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate perpendicularity may also be, for example, a deviation within 5°. "Equal" includes absolute equality and approximate equality, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate equality may be, for example, a difference between the two equals being less than or equal to 5% of either one.

[0026] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the application scenarios of the pipeline inspection system provided in the embodiments of this application are described below:

[0027] Pipeline inspection involves using the transported medium to drive a detection ball assembly within the pipeline, collecting real-time data on pipeline corrosion, deformation, and other damage. This technology employs an intelligent pipeline pig equipped with geometric deformation detectors and magnetic flux leakage detectors to identify defects such as geometric deformation, wall thinning, and cracks. During the inspection process, pig launchers are placed at both ends of the pipeline to be inspected. The detection ball assembly is sent into the pipeline through these launchers, and its return is received at the end of the inspection.

[0028] Due to their short distances and frequent peak-shaving requirements, existing salt cavern gas storage gathering and transmission pipelines lack launch and receiver tubes at both ends, making it impossible to conduct internal inspections of these pipelines using the existing pipeline inspection process.

[0029] The pipeline inspection system provided in this application embodiment is mainly used for the inspection of the inside of the gathering and transportation pipeline of the salt cavern gas storage. It is connected to one end of the pipeline to be inspected through a first gas injection structure and gas is delivered into the pipeline to be inspected. The detection ball assembly moves inside the pipeline under the action of gas pressure, thereby inspecting the inside of the pipeline.

[0030] In some implementations, see Figure 1 The pipeline inspection system includes a pipeline to be inspected (1), an inspection ball assembly (9), and a first gas injection structure (2). The inspection ball assembly (9) is adapted to move along the length of the pipeline to be inspected (1) to detect corrosion inside the pipeline. The first gas injection structure (2) is connected to one end of the pipeline to be inspected (1) and is used to supply gas into the pipeline to be inspected (1), so that the inspection ball assembly (9) moves under the action of the gas.

[0031] In the above scheme, gas is supplied to the pipeline 1 to be inspected through the first gas injection structure 2. The gas creates pressure on one side of the detection ball assembly 9, which drives the detection ball assembly 9 to move along the pipeline 1. The detection ball assembly 9 detects the internal corrosion of the pipeline. This allows staff to understand the internal corrosion of the pipeline, facilitates timely response based on the corrosion situation, and improves the safety of natural gas transportation through the pipeline.

[0032] In some examples, the detection ball assembly 9 may include devices such as a geometric deformation detector and a magnetic flux leakage detector installed inside the pigging ball. The pigging ball may be made of corrosion-resistant neoprene rubber.

[0033] It should be noted that the pig in the detection ball assembly has an interference fit with the inner wall of the pipeline 1 to be inspected. When the first gas injection structure 2 delivers gas into the pipeline 1, gas pressure is generated on the side of the pig near the first gas injection structure 2. This gas pressure drives the pig to move within the pipeline 1. During the movement of the pig, the detection equipment inside the pig performs inspections on the pipeline.

[0034] In some examples, the pipeline to be tested, 1, can be a pipeline between a gas well and a salt cavern gas storage facility.

[0035] In other examples, the pipe to be tested, 1, may be a pipe located above a gas well.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first gas injection structure 2 includes a first gas well, which is connected to one end of the pipeline 1 to be tested via a first pipe 51 for supplying gas into the pipeline 1 to be tested. Since the first gas well itself has a certain gas pressure, connecting the first gas well to the pipeline 1 to be tested via the first pipe 51 allows the gas pressure inside the first gas well to be used directly to drive the movement of the detection ball assembly 9, eliminating the need for an external gas source device. This results in a simple structure and convenient operation.

[0037] In some other embodiments, the first gas injection structure 2 includes a first gas pump, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested 1 via a first pipe 51 and injects gas into the pipeline to be tested 1 via the first gas pump.

[0038] In some embodiments, the detection system further includes a first pressure controller 10, which is connected to the first pipeline 51 and used to control the pressure of the gas delivered by the first gas injection structure 2. By installing the first pressure controller 10 in the first pipeline 51 to control the gas pressure input by the first gas injection structure 2 into the pipeline 1 to be detected, it can prevent the input pressure value from being too low, thus failing to drive the detection ball assembly 9 to move within the pipeline 1; it can also prevent the input pressure value from being too high, causing the detection ball assembly 9 to move too fast within the pipeline 1, resulting in inaccurate detection results.

[0039] In some examples, the first pressure controller 10 may be a first pressure regulating valve. The first pressure regulating valve may be connected to the first pipe 51 to control the gas pressure input into the pipe 1 to be tested by the first gas injection structure 2.

[0040] In other examples, the first pressure controller 10 may include a first pressure reducing valve, a first pressure sensor, and a first controller. The first pressure reducing valve may be connected to the first pipeline 51, the first pressure sensor may acquire the air pressure value input into the pipeline 1 to be tested by the first air injection structure 2 in real time, and the first controller may control the opening degree of the first pressure reducing valve so that the air pressure value input into the pipeline 1 to be tested by the first air injection structure 2 is within a set range.

[0041] In some implementations, see Figure 1 The detection system also includes a second gas injection structure 3, which is connected to the end of the pipeline 1 to be tested away from the first gas injection structure 2, and is used to deliver gas into the pipeline 1 to be tested. The gas pressure delivered by the first gas injection structure 2 is greater than the gas pressure delivered by the second gas injection structure 3.

[0042] In the above scheme, a second gas injection structure 3 is connected to the end of the pipeline 1 to be tested away from the first gas injection structure 2. Gas is simultaneously introduced to both sides of the pipeline 1 to be tested through the first gas injection structure 2 and the second gas injection structure 3. This results in a first gas pressure on the side of the detection ball assembly 9 closest to the first gas injection structure 2 and a second gas pressure on the side closest to the second gas injection structure 3. Specifically, in this embodiment, the gas pressure delivered by the first gas injection structure 2 is greater than the gas pressure delivered by the second gas injection structure 3, i.e., the first gas pressure is greater than the second gas pressure. This creates a backup pressure on the side of the detection ball assembly 9 facing away from the first gas injection structure 2. By controlling the pressure difference between the first and second gas pressures, the operating speed of the detection ball assembly 9 within the pipeline 1 to be tested can be controlled, improving the flexibility of the internal testing of the pipeline 1.

[0043] In some examples, the gas pressure input to the first gas injection structure 2 can be 0.6 MPa, and the gas pressure input to the second gas injection structure 3 can be 0.5 MPa. This results in a gas pressure greater than that input to the second gas injection structure 3, creating a pressure difference of 0.1 MPa. Under the influence of this pressure difference, the detection ball assembly 9 moves from the end of the pipe to be detected near the first gas injection structure 2 towards the end near the second gas injection structure 3.

[0044] In some embodiments, the second gas injection structure 3 includes a second gas well, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested 1 via a second pipe 52. Since the second gas well itself has a certain gas pressure, connecting the second gas well to the end of the pipeline to be tested 1 away from the first gas injection structure 2 via the second pipe 52, and inputting gas into the pipeline to be tested 1 through the second gas well, utilizes the pressure of the second gas well itself to create a backup pressure on the side of the detection ball assembly 9 facing away from the first gas injection structure 2, thereby controlling the movement speed of the detection ball assembly 9 within the pipeline to be tested 1. This design is simple and easy to operate.

[0045] In other embodiments, the second gas injection structure 3 includes a second gas pump, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested 1 via a second pipe 52 and injects gas into the pipeline to be tested 1.

[0046] In some embodiments, the detection system further includes a second pressure controller 11, which controls the gas pressure input to the pipeline 1 to be tested by the second gas injection structure 3. By installing the second pressure controller 11 in the second pipeline 52 to control the gas pressure input to the pipeline 1 by the second gas injection structure 3, the difference between the gas pressure values ​​input by the first gas injection structure 2 and the second gas injection structure 3 is controlled, ensuring the stability of the movement of the detection ball assembly 9 within the pipeline 1 to be tested and improving detection accuracy.

[0047] In some examples, the second pressure controller 11 may include a second pressure regulating valve. The second pressure regulating valve may be connected to the second pipe 52 to control the gas pressure input into the pipe 1 to be tested by the second gas injection structure 3.

[0048] In other examples, the second pressure controller 11 may include a second pressure reducing valve, a second pressure sensor, and a second controller. The second pressure reducing valve can be connected to the second pipeline 52, the second pressure sensor can acquire the air pressure value input into the pipeline 1 to be tested by the second air injection structure 3 in real time, and the second controller can control the opening degree of the second pressure reducing valve so that the air pressure value input into the pipeline 1 to be tested by the second air injection structure 3 is within a set range.

[0049] In some embodiments, the second gas injection structure 3 includes a control valve, which is connected to the pipeline 1 to be tested via a second pipe 52. In the above scheme, the control valve is connected to the second pipe 52, and the second gas well can be connected to the control valve. One end of the second pipe 52 is connected to the pipeline 1 to be tested. The control valve controls the gas input from the second gas well into the pipeline 1 to be tested, resulting in a simple structure and convenient operation.

[0050] In some examples, the control valve is a ball valve that controls the flow of gas in the second pipe 52.

[0051] In some implementations, see Figure 1 The detection system also includes a venting pipe 4, which has a connecting end and a discharging end. The connecting end is connected to the second pipe 52, and the discharging end is connected to the outside for discharging gas. During the detection process, the detection ball assembly 9 moves from the end of the pipe 1 to be detected near the first gas injection structure 2 towards the second gas injection structure 3. During this movement, the gas input into the pipe 1 by the second gas injection structure 3 is continuously compressed. At this time, by connecting the venting pipe 4 to the second pipe 52, a portion of the gas input into the pipe 1 by the second gas injection structure 3 is discharged through the venting pipe 4. This ensures that the gas pressure input by the first gas injection structure 2 is greater than the gas pressure input by the second gas injection structure 3, guaranteeing the smooth movement of the detection ball assembly 9 in the pipe 1 to be detected.

[0052] In some examples, a third pressure controller is provided in the venting line 4, and the configuration and structure of the third pressure controller can refer to the first pressure controller 10. The third pressure controller is used to control the amount of gas discharged from the venting line 4 to ensure that the side of the detection ball assembly 9 near the second gas injection structure 3 has a certain reserve pressure, and the pressure value of the reserve pressure is less than the gas pressure input into the pipeline 1 to be detected by the first gas injection structure 2.

[0053] In some implementations, see Figure 1 The detection system also includes an ignition device 8, which is located at the discharge end to ignite the combustible gas discharged from the vent pipe 4. Since the pipeline detection system provided in this embodiment is used to detect natural gas transmission pipelines, there may be natural gas inside the pipeline 1 to be detected. By setting the ignition device 8 at the discharge end of the vent pipe 4, the combustible gas discharged from the vent pipe 4 is ignited, preventing the combustible gas from flowing into the environment and causing environmental pollution.

[0054] In some examples, the ignition device 8 may include an electronic igniter that ignites the combustible gas discharged from the venting end of the vent line 4.

[0055] In some implementations, see Figure 1 The detection system also includes a first switch 6 and a second switch 7. The first switch 6 is connected to the end of the pipe to be detected near the first gas injection structure 2, and the second switch 7 is connected to the end of the pipe to be detected away from the first gas injection structure 2. The detection ball assembly 9 is adapted to enter the pipe to be detected through the first switch 6 and to be removed from the pipe to be detected through the second switch 7.

[0056] In the above scheme, by setting a first switch 6 and a second switch 7 at both ends of the pipeline to be tested, the detection ball assembly 9 is placed into the pipeline to be tested through the first switch 6, and the detection ball assembly 9 that has completed the test is removed from the pipeline through the second switch 7. The structure is simple and facilitates the placement and removal of the detection ball assembly 9 from the pipeline to be tested.

[0057] In some examples, the first switch 6 is the first pigging valve, and the second switch 7 is the second pigging valve. Since the existing salt cavern gas storage gathering and transmission pipeline is already equipped with a pigging valve, when using the detection ball assembly 9 to perform pipeline inspection, there is no need to modify the pipeline 1 to be inspected. The original structure of the pipeline 1 to be inspected can be used for inspection, which is convenient for operation.

[0058] In other examples, the first switch element 6 may include a first cover plate detachably and sealingly connected to the pipe 1 to be tested, and the second switch element 7 includes a second cover plate detachably and sealingly connected to the pipe 1 to be tested. During testing, the first cover plate can be opened, the detection ball assembly 9 can be placed into the pipe 1 to be tested, and then the first cover plate can be sealed to the pipe 1 to be tested. After testing is completed, the second cover plate can be opened, the detection ball assembly 9 can be removed, and then the second cover plate can be sealed to the pipe 1 to be tested.

[0059] In some examples, see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pipeline structure for a first gas well, provided in an embodiment of this application. The first gas well can be one or two wells, with ends J1 and J2 used to connect to the interior of the first gas well. A first switch 6 is provided in the pipeline structure of the first gas well. The end of the first switch 6 furthest from J1 and J2 is connected to the pipeline 1 to be tested, allowing a detection ball assembly to be inserted into the pipeline 1. Figure 2 The direction indicated by the middle arrow is the flow direction of gas in the first gas well within the pipeline structure. The gas pressure input from the first gas well to the pipeline 1 under test is controlled by the first pressure controller 10 in the pipeline structure of the first gas well. For example, the gas pressure input from the first gas well can be controlled to be 0.6 MPa.

[0060] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a pipeline network structure for a second gas well, provided in an embodiment of this application. The second gas well can be multiple wells; for example, JK8-5, JK9-4, and JK8-3 can all be used to connect the second gas wells. Gas is input into the pipeline to be tested 1 through the pipeline network structure of the second gas wells to form a backup pressure for the movement of the detection ball assembly. A second pressure controller 11 is installed in the pipeline network structure of the second gas wells to control the gas pressure input to the second gas wells. Figure 3 The direction indicated by the middle arrow is the flow direction of the gas input from the second gas well to the pipeline structure of the second gas well. For example, the gas pressure input from the second gas well can be controlled to 0.5 MPa.

[0061] When the pressure input from the first gas well to the pipeline 1 under test is 0.6 MPa, and the pressure input from the second gas well to the pipeline 1 under test is 0.5 MPa, a pressure difference of 0.1 MPa is formed between the side of the detection ball assembly closest to the first gas well and the side closest to the second gas well. Under the action of this pressure difference, the detection ball assembly moves in the pipeline 1 under test from the end closest to the first gas well to the end closest to the second gas well, and the pipeline 1 under test is tested during the movement of the detection ball assembly.

[0062] In the description of the embodiments of this application, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0063] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pipeline inspection system, characterized in that, include: The pipeline to be inspected; A detection ball assembly, the detection ball assembly being adapted to move along the length of the pipe to be tested in order to detect the corrosion inside the pipe; A first gas injection structure is connected to one end of the pipeline to be tested and is used to deliver gas into the pipeline to be tested so that the detection ball assembly moves under the action of the gas.

2. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first gas injection structure includes a first gas well, which is connected to one end of the pipeline to be tested via a first pipe, for delivering gas into the pipeline to be tested.

3. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a first pressure controller, which is connected to the first pipeline and is used to control the pressure of the gas delivered by the first gas injection structure.

4. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a second gas injection structure, which is connected to the end of the pipeline to be tested away from the first gas injection structure, and is used to deliver gas into the pipeline to be tested. The gas pressure delivered by the first gas injection structure is greater than the gas pressure delivered by the second gas injection structure.

5. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second gas injection structure includes a second gas well, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested via a second pipeline.

6. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a second pressure controller, which is used to control the gas pressure input to the pipeline under test by the second gas injection structure.

7. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second gas injection structure includes a control valve, which is connected to the pipeline to be tested via a second pipeline.

8. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a venting pipeline, which has a connecting end and a discharging end. The connecting end is connected to the second pipeline, and the discharging end is connected to the outside and is used to discharge gas.

9. The pipeline inspection system according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes an ignition device located at the discharge end to ignite the combustible gas discharged from the vent pipe.

10. The pipeline inspection system according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It also includes a first switch and a second switch, wherein the first switch is connected to the end of the pipeline to be tested that is close to the first gas injection structure, and the second switch is connected to the end of the pipeline to be tested that is away from the first gas injection structure. The detection ball assembly is adapted to enter the pipe to be detected via the first switch and to exit the pipe to be detected via the second switch.

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