Pipeline wrap and pipeline protection system

Abstract

A pipeline wrap comprises a nonwoven geotextile sheet comprising bicomponent staple fibers. The bicomponent staple fibers comprise a first fiber material and a second fiber material. The first fiber material has a first melting point, and the second fiber material has a second melting point lower than the first melting point. Adjacent edges of one or more pipeline wraps are heat welded together by heating the opposing surfaces to a heat welding temperature below the first melting point and at least the second melting point. The pipeline wrap, and a pipeline protection system, kit, and method are useful to reduce or prevent damage to anti-corrosion coatings provided on pipelines caused by rock impacts during trench backfilling operations.

Description

PIPELINE WRAP AND PIPELINE PROTECTION SYSTEMFIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to techniques for protecting pipelines in buried pipeline installations, including particularly oil and gas pipeline installations.BACKGROUND

[0002] Buried pipelines are widely used to transport fluids including, but not limited to, crude and refined petroleum, fuel oil, natural gas, water, sewage, ammonia, hydrogen gas, ethanol, and coal or ore slurries. Pipelines are often formed of steel or plastic, and are buried to protect the pipeline from external damage and to maintain them in a stable and predictable environment.

[0003] Often, a pipeline is installed by first digging a trench of suitable width and depth, placing the pipeline in the trench, and backfilling the pipeline trench with either the excavated material or other suitable materials including sand, soil, gravel, or rocks. The procedure of burying pipelines can present certain risks, however, to the structural integrity of the buried pipes, including damage to the pipes during placement and backfilling, or after backfilling is complete, particularly in rocky areas. Such damage can occur as a result of impact or abrasion from external materials containing rocks, or from the direct placement of the pipe onto a rocky trench bottom. In addition, if proper, long-term groundwater drainage is not provided, corrosion could occur at any defect in the pipeline coating.

[0004] One technique for protecting pipelines includes enveloping the pipeline with a pipeline shield. Some known pipeline shields are made from thermoplastic materials and are extruded using various methods.

[0005] Such known techniques, while addressing some of the requirements involved, nevertheless suffer from certain shortcomings, including in different instances increased cost through cost of materials and installation time, complexity of method by requiring the performance of different steps at different times in the installation process and in different places, insufficient protection of the pipelineagainst hazards such as impact or abrasion, and insufficient drainage of water away from the pipeline resulting in corrosion, among others.

[0006] There remains, therefore, a need for improved techniques to protect buried pipelines which addresses at least some of the shortcomings, provides yet further advantages, and thus provides a material value over prior techniques.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pipeline wrap enveloping a pipeline.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of enveloping a pipeline using a pipeline wrap roll.

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view illustrating different embodiments of affixing abutting or overlapping edges of one or more adjacent pipeline wrap edges.

[0011] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method for protecting a pipeline.

[0012] Throughout the drawings, sometimes only one or fewer than all of the instances of an element visible in the view are designated by a lead line and reference character, for the sake only of simplicity and to avoid clutter. It will be understood, however, that in such cases, in accordance with the corresponding description, that all other instances are likewise designated and encompassed by the corresponding description.DESCRIPTION

[0013] Improved techniques for protecting pipelines in buried pipeline installations are disclosed herein. The techniques include, but are not limited to a pipeline wrap, and a system, method, and kit for protecting a pipeline in a buried pipeline installation.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a pipeline wrap 100 for protecting a pipeline 200. The pipeline wrap 100 comprises a geotextile sheet 110 formed from any suitable materials by any suitable fabrication method. In different embodiments, thegeotextile sheet 110 is either woven or nonwoven, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments the geotextile sheet 110 is formed from staple fibers. In some embodiments, the staple fibers are uniform in size, composition, and properties. In other embodiments, the staple fibers are a blend of different staple fibers having respectively different predefined sizes, compositions, and properties. In some embodiments, the geotextile sheet 110 comprises a single layer, while in some other embodiments the geotextile sheet 100 comprises multiple layers bonded or otherwise affixed together, wherein each such layer may itself constitute a geotextile sheet 110 as described herein. Such layers may be mutually bonded or otherwise affixed together by any suitable means, such as heat bonding such as heat fusion or ultrasonic welding, needle punching, chemical bonding such as adhesives, stitch bonding, lamination, or extrusion bonding, though alternatives are possible and contemplated.

[0015] Embodiments of the geotextile sheet 110 are formed from geotextile sheet staple fibers including bicomponent staple fibers. The bicomponent staple fibers comprise a first fiber material and a second fiber material which are respectively selected to provide the resulting geotextile sheet 110 with desirable properties. For example, in some embodiments the first fiber material has a first melting point, and the second fiber material has a second melting point which is lower than the first melting point. In some embodiments, the first fiber material is selected so as to provide the geotextile sheet with one or more desired physical or chemical properties such as strength, durability, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and porosity, and yet further properties. In this way, the geotextile sheet 110 may be provided with the desired physical or chemical properties, while at the same time enabling, facilitating, or improving the use of heat welding of adjacent edges or overlapping surfaces of one or more geotextile sheets 110, by virtue of the lower melting point of the second fiber material, while reducing or preventing heat damage to the first fiber material.

[0016] In different embodiments, the second melting point is about 70°C to about 200°C, or about 90°C to about 130°C, or about 110°C. In different embodiments, the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about1 °C to about 500°C, or about 100°C to about 200°C, or about 150°C. In different embodiments, the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 1 % to about 99%, or about 50% to about 70%, or about 60% of the first melting point.

[0017] The first fiber material and the second fiber material may each be selected independently from any suitable materials based on the desired characteristics and properties of the resulting geotextile sheet 110. In some embodiments, each of the first fiber material and the second fiber material are respective thermoplastics having different melting points. In different embodiments, the first fiber material and second fiber material are independently one or more of polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, Teflon™, epoxy, cotton, lyocell, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, rayon, spandex, steel, metallic alloy, composites, carbon fibre, glass, and aramid. In particular, in some embodiments the first fiber material is polyester and the second fiber material is polypropylene. In other embodiments, the first fiber material and the second fiber material are respectively different polyesters have different melting points as described herein. In some embodiments, the first fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate) and the second fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate)-co-polyester.

[0018] The bicomponent staple fibers may have any suitable physical dimensions and properties depending on the desired properties of the resulting geotextile sheet 110. In different embodiments, the bicomponent staple fibers have a staple length of about 5 mm to about 150 mm, or about 50 mm to about 100 mm, or about 75 mm. In different embodiments, the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 1 denier (g I 9000 m, “den”) to about 1000 den, or about 2 den to about 100 den, or about 4 den.

[0019] The bicomponent staple fibers may have any suitable format including, without limitation, core-sheath, side-by-side, segmented, islands-in-the- sea, tipped, micro-denier, or mixed. In particular, in some embodiments the bicomponent staple fibers have a core-sheath format, where the core is the first fiber material and the sheath is the second fiber material. The bicomponent staplefibers may have a single format, or may collectively have a blend of different formats.

[0020] In some embodiments, the geotextile sheet 110 comprises and is formed from geotextile sheet staple fibers which consist of the bicomponent staple fibers. In other embodiments, the geotextile sheet stable fibers comprise a blend of the bicomponent staple fibers and other staple fibers. In different embodiments, the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 1 wt-% to about 99 wt-%, or about 15 wt-% to about 25 wt-%, or about 20 wt-% of the bicomponent staple fibers, where the balance of the geotextile sheet staple fibers are the other staple fibers.

[0021] In different embodiments, the other staple fibers comprise and are formed from other staple fiber material including, without limitation, one or more of polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, Teflon™, epoxy, cotton, lyocell, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, rayon, spandex, steel, metallic alloy, composites, carbon fibre, glass, and aramid. In particular, in some embodiments the other staple fiber material is polyester. In some embodiments, the other staple fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate). In different embodiments, the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 5 mm to about 150 mm, or about 50 mm to about 100 mm, or about 75 mm. In different embodiments, the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 1 den to about 1000 den, or about 2 den to about 100 den, or about 4 den.

[0022] As noted above, in different embodiments the geotextile sheet 110 is either woven or nonwoven, or any combination thereof. In embodiments where the geotextile sheet 110 is nonwoven, it may be fabricated from the geotextile sheet staple fibers using any suitable fabrication method including, without limitation, thermal bonding, hydroentanglement, ultrasonic pattern bonding, needlepunching, needlefelting, chemical bonding, or melt-blowing. In particular, in some embodiments the geotextile sheet 110 is fabricated from the geotextile sheet staple fibers by needlepunching.

[0023] The geotextile sheet 110 may have any suitable dimensions and properties depending on the desired application, which may depend on, for example, one or more of a diameter, a circumference, or a length of the pipeline 200, or a section thereof. For example, where the pipeline wrap 100 is provided asa roll, the geotextile sheet 110 has any suitable roll width, which in different embodiments is about 100 mm to about 10,000 mm, or about 500 mm to about 4000 mm. In some other embodiments, the geotextile sheet 110 is provided as one or more panels which are generally rectangular and have any suitable side dimensions, which in different embodiments are about 300 mm to about 6000 mm, or about 1000 mm to about 4000 mm. Regardless of format, the geotextile sheet 110 has any suitable thickness, which in different embodiments is about 5 mm to about 30 mm, or about 10 mm to about 20 mm, or about 9.5 mm, or about 14.5 mm. The geotextile sheet 110 has any suitable density, which in different embodiments is about 1000 g / m2to about 3000 g / m2, or about 1500 g / m2to about 2500 g / m2, or about 2000 g / m2, or about 1600 g / m2. The geotextile sheet 110 has any suitable apparent opening size (AOS), which in different embodiments is about 20 pm to about 600 pm, or less than about 80 pm, or less than about 75 pm.

[0024] In some embodiments, the pipeline wrap 100 consists of the geotextile sheet 110. In other embodiments, the pipeline wrap 100 comprises the geotextile sheet 110 and at least one other component. In different embodiments, the other component comprises one or more of: additional woven or unwoven sheets, which in some embodiments are layered with and affixed or bonded with the geotextile sheet; additives; coatings; and conductive fibers.

[0025] FIG’s 2 & 3 illustrate a method 300 of protecting a pipeline, and FIG.4 shows a flowchart of the method 300. FIG. 3 also shows a pipeline protection system 400 and pipeline protection kit 500.

[0026] The method 300 comprises providing at least one pipeline wrap 100 as described herein (step 310), and enveloping the pipeline with the one or more pipeline wraps (step 320). In some embodiments, the pipeline wrap 100 is provided as a pipeline wrap roll 120 as shown in FIG. 2, and enveloping the pipeline 200 with the pipeline wrap 110 comprises unrolling the pipeline wrap roll 120 adjacent, such as above, the pipeline 200, and draping the pipeline wrap 110 on the pipeline 200. In other embodiments, the at least one pipeline wrap 100 is provided as a plurality of pipeline wrap panels 130 as shown in FIG. 3, and enveloping the pipeline 200 comprises applying or draping the pipeline wrap panels 130 on the pipeline 200.

[0027] Enveloping the pipeline with the one or more pipeline wraps comprises abutting or overlapping adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140. The adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 may belong to the same pipeline wrap 110. For example, in the case of the pipeline wrap roll 120 shown in FIG. 2, the adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 (not shown) may include opposing edges of the pipeline wrap roll 120 disposed on an underside of the pipeline 200 when the pipeline wrap roll 120 is unrolled and draped over the pipeline 200 as shown. In other embodiments, the adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 belong to different, adjacent pipeline wrap panels 130 as shown in FIG. 3. In different embodiments, the adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 are overlapped by about 20 mm to about 300 mm, or about 50 mm to about 200 mm, or about 100 mm to about 150 mm.

[0028] The method 300 further comprises affixing together the abutting or overlapping adjacent pipeline wrap edges (step 330). Any suitable affixing device and method may be used. For example, and as shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the abutting or overlapping pipeline wrap edges 140 are affixed using strap segments 610. The strap segments 610 may be any material and configuration operable durably to affix the abutting or overlapping pipeline wrap edges 140 together. In different embodiments, the strap segments 610 are mushroom tape, hook tape, filament tape, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 are affixed together using strap coils 620 wrapped around an entire circumference of the pipeline 200 one or more times. The strap coil 620 may be any material and configuration operable durably to affix the abutting or overlapping pipeline wrap edges 140 together. In different embodiments, the strap coil 620 are mushroom tape, hook tape, filament tape, or any combination thereof.

[0029] In other embodiments, overlapping adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 are affixed by heat welding. A heat source 630 is used to apply heat to opposing surfaces of overlapping pipeline wrap edges 140 in order to melt at least a part of the material of the respective opposing surfaces, and then the opposing surfaces are pressed together in order to fuse the overlapping surfaces together as the molten material cools. In different embodiments, the heat source is a gas torch,which may be a propane torch, an electric radiant heater, a hot air gun, or any other suitable source of heat.

[0030] In particular, the heat source 630 may be operable to heat the opposing surfaces to a temperature greater than or equal to the second melting point of the second fiber material of the bicomponent staple fibers, and at the same time less than the first melting point of the first fiber material of the bicomponent staple fibers. In this way, and by providing a pipeline wrap 100 comprising a geotextile sheet 110 comprising the bicomponent staple fibers described herein, overlapping pipeline wrap edges 140 may be affixed by heat welding at a temperature which is lower than the first melting point of the first fiber material of the bicomponent staple fibers. Similarly, in embodiments where the pipeline wrap 100 comprises other staple fibers, the heat source 630 may be operable to heat the opposing surfaces to a temperature greater than or equal to the second melting point of the second fiber material of the bicomponent staple fibers, and at the same time less than a melting point of the other fiber material of the other staple fibers. In this way, and by providing a pipeline wrap 100 comprising a geotextile sheet 110 comprising the bicomponent staple fibers described herein, overlapping pipeline wrap edges 140 may be affixed by heat welding at a temperature which is lower than the first melting point of the first fiber material of the bicomponent staple fibers and the other melting point of the other fiber material of the other staple fibers. In this way, heat damage to the first fiber material and the other staple fibers may be reduced or prevented, and the desired physical or chemical properties thereof preserved.

[0031] A pipeline protection system 400 comprises a plurality of pipeline wraps 100 enveloping the pipeline 200, wherein adjacent pipeline wrap edges 140 are affixed together as described herein. A pipeline protection kit 500 comprises one or more pipeline wraps 100 and one or more instances of the affixing device, as described herein. In some embodiments, the pipeline protection kit 500 also comprises a set of instructions provided on or by any suitable medium.

[0032] The embodiments disclosed herein may provide numerous advantages over those provided by previous and conventional solutions. Use ofsome embodiments may reduce or prevent damage to anti-corrosion coatings provided on pipelines caused by rock impacts during trench backfilling operations. As compared to conventional pipeline rock shields, some embodiments may provide superior protection against damage during backfilling and may enable faster installation. By providing pipeline wraps comprising geotextile sheets formed from relatively short staple fibers, adjacent sheet edges may be affixed using mushroom tape, hook tape, filament tape, or any combination thereof, without needing to modify the geotextile sheets to provide a loop portion, as the staple fibers of the geotextile sheets themselves provide the mating loop portion. By providing pipeline wraps comprising geotextile sheets comprising bicomponent staple fibers formed from two materials with different melting points, the pipeline wraps can be provided with desired physical or chemical properties such as strength, durability, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and porosity, while at the same time enabling, facilitating, or improving the use of heat welding of adjacent edges of one or more geotextile sheets. Moreover, by providing pipeline wraps comprising geotextile sheets comprising bicomponent staple fibers formed from two materials with different melting points, the pipeline wraps can be applied to pipelines and heat welded onsite with reduced or eliminated risk of unexpected or uncontrolled burning of the pipeline wrap or surrounding materials. In some embodiments, the use of bicomponent staple fibres may help to reduce the release of harmful gases during heat welding, as compared to traditional synthetic fibres.

[0033] The following are non-limiting embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

[0034] Embodiment 1. A pipeline wrap comprising a nonwoven geotextile sheet comprising bicomponent staple fibers.

[0035] Embodiment 2. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 1 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers comprise a first fiber material and a second fiber material, wherein the first fiber material has a first melting point, the second fiber material has a second melting point, and the second melting point is lower than the first melting point.

[0036] Embodiment 3. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 2, wherein the second melting point is about about 70°C to about 200°C.

[0037] Embodiment 4. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 2, wherein the second melting point is about about 90°C to about 130°C.

[0038] Embodiment 5. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 2, wherein the second melting point is about about 110°C.

[0039] Embodiment 6. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 1 °C to about 500°C.

[0040] Embodiment 7. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 100°C to about 200°C.

[0041] Embodiment 8. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 150°C.

[0042] Embodiment 9. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the bicomponent fibers are core-sheath fibers, wherein the second fiber material surrounds the first fiber material.

[0043] Embodiment 10. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 2 to 9, wherein the first fiber material is a first polyester, and the second fiber material is second polyester different from the first polyester.

[0044] Embodiment 11. The pipeline wrap of Embodiments 10, wherein the first fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate) and the second fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate)-co-polyester.

[0045] Embodiment 12. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 11 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a fiber length of about 5 mm to about 150 mm.

[0046] Embodiment 13. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 11 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a fiber length of about 50 mm to about 100 mm.

[0047] Embodiment 14. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 11 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a fiber length of about 75 mm.

[0048] Embodiment 15. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 1 den to about 1000 den.

[0049] Embodiment 16. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 2 den to about 100 den.

[0050] Embodiment 17. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 4 den.

[0051] Embodiment 18. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

[0052] Embodiment 19. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

[0053] Embodiment 20. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 9.5 mm.

[0054] Embodiment 21. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 14.5 mm.

[0055] Embodiment 22. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 1000 g / m2 to about 3000 g / m2.

[0056] Embodiment 23. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 1500 g / m2 to about 2500 g / m2.

[0057] Embodiment 24. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 2000 g / m2.

[0058] Embodiment 25. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 1600 g / m2.

[0059] Embodiment 26. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the geotextile sheet has an apparent opening size (AOS) of about 20 pm to about 600 pm.

[0060] Embodiment 27. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the geotextile sheet has an apparent opening size (AOS) of less than about 80 pm.

[0061] Embodiment 28. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the geotextile sheet has an apparent opening size (AOS) of less than about 75 pm.

[0062] Embodiment 29. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 28, wherein the geotextile sheet comprises geotextile sheet staple fibers comprising a blend of the bicomponent staple fibers and other staple fibers.

[0063] Embodiment 30. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 29, wherein the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 1 wt-% to about 99 wt-% of the bicomponent staple fibers.

[0064] Embodiment 31. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 29, wherein the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 15 wt-% to about 25 wt-% of the bicomponent staple fibers.

[0065] Embodiment 32. The pipeline wrap of Embodiment 29, wherein the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 20 wt-% of the bicomponent staple fibers.

[0066] Embodiment 33. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 32, wherein the other staple fibers comprise polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, Teflon™, epoxy, cotton, lyocell, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, rayon, spandex, steel, metallic alloy, composites, carbon fibre, glass, aramid, or any combination thereof.

[0067] Embodiment 34. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 32, wherein the other staple fibers comprise polyester.

[0068] Embodiment 35. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 34, wherein the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 5 mm to about 150 mm.

[0069] Embodiment 36. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 34, wherein the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 50 mm to about 100 mm.

[0070] Embodiment 37. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 34, wherein the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 75 mm.

[0071] Embodiment 38. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 37, wherein the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 1 den to about 1000 den.

[0072] Embodiment 39. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 37, wherein the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 2 den to about 100 den.

[0073] Embodiment 40. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 29 to 37, wherein the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 4 den.

[0074] Embodiment 41. The pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 40, wherein the geotextile sheet is a nonwoven needlepunched fabric.

[0075] Embodiment 42. A pipeline protection system comprising one or more of the pipeline wraps of any one of Embodiments 1 to 41 enveloping a pipeline, wherein adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps are affixed together.

[0076] Embodiment 43. The pipeline protection system of Embodiment 42, wherein the adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps are affixed together by an affixing device.

[0077] Embodiment 44. The pipeline protection system of Embodiment 43, wherein the affixing device comprises mushroom tape.

[0078] Embodiment 45. The pipeline protection system of Embodiment 44, wherein the affixing device comprises hook tape.

[0079] Embodiment 46. The pipeline protection system of Embodiment 42, wherein the adjacent edges of the plurality of one or more pipeline wraps are affixed together by heat welds.

[0080] Embodiment 47. A pipeline protection kit comprising: one or more of the pipeline wraps of any one of Embodiments 1 to 41 ; and one or more affixing devices for affixing together adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps.

[0081] Embodiment 48. Use of the pipeline wrap of any one of Embodiments 1 to 41 for enveloping a pipeline.

[0082] Embodiment 49. A method of protecting a pipeline, the method comprising: providing one or more of the pipeline wraps of any one of Embodiments 1 to 41 ; enveloping the pipeline with the one or more pipeline wraps; and affixing together adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps.

[0083] Embodiment 50. The method of Embodiment 49, wherein affixing together the adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps.

[0084] Embodiment 51 . The method of Embodiment 50 when dependent on Embodiment 2, wherein heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heating the opposing surfaces to a heat welding temperature below the first melting point and at least the second melting point.

[0085] Embodiment 52. The method of Embodiment 50 or 51 , wherein heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heating the opposing surfaces using a gas torch, an electric radiant heater, or a hot air gun.

[0086] Embodiment 53. The method of Embodiment 50 or 51 , wherein heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heating the opposing surfaces using a propane torch.

[0087] So that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, certain terms are defined. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain. While many methods and materials similar, modified, or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the embodiments of the present invention without undue experimentation, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

[0088] All terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting in any manner or scope. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. Numeric ranges recited within the specification are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of this invention are presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges, fractions, and individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and decimals and fractions, for example, 1.2, 3.8, 11 , and 4%. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0089] The terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein refer to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring techniques and equipment, with respect to any quantifiable variable, including, but not limited to, mass, volume, time, distance, voltage, and current. Further, given solid and liquid handling procedures used in the real world, there is certain inadvertent error and variation that is likely through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or carry out the methods and the like. The terms “about” and “approximately” also encompass these variations. Expressions which combine the terms “about” or “approximately” with one or more bounds of a range refer to a union of the bound modified by the term “about” or “approximately” as described above, and the range having the unmodified bound. Thus, for example, the expression “at least about X” means the union of “at least X” and “about X”. Similarly, “at most about Y” means the union of “at most Y” and “about Y”.

[0090] In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required. In particular, it will be appreciated that the variousadditional features shown in the drawings are generally optional unless specifically identified herein as required. The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the particular embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the specification as a whole.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A pipeline wrap comprising a nonwoven geotextile sheet comprising bicomponent staple fibers.

2. The pipeline wrap of claim 1 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers comprise a first fiber material and a second fiber material, wherein the first fiber material has a first melting point, the second fiber material has a second melting point, and the second melting point is lower than the first melting point.

3. The pipeline wrap of claim 2, wherein the second melting point is about about 70°C to about 200°C.

4. The pipeline wrap of claim 2, wherein the second melting point is about about 90°C to about 130°C.

5. The pipeline wrap of claim 2, wherein the second melting point is about about 110°C.

6. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 1 °C to about 500°C.

7. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 100°C to about 200°C.

8. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second melting point is lower than the first melting point by about 150°C.

9. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the bicomponent fibers are core-sheath fibers, wherein the second fiber material surrounds the first fiber material.

10. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first fiber material is a first polyester, and the second fiber material is second polyester different from the first polyester.11 . The pipeline wrap of claims 10, wherein the first fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate) and the second fiber material is polyethylene terephthalate)-co-polyester.

12. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a fiber length of about 5 mm to about 150 mm.

13. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a fiber length of about 50 mm to about 100 mm.

14. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a fiber length of about 75 mm.

15. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 1 den to about 1000 den.

16. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 2 den to about 100 den.

17. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bicomponent staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 4 den.

18. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 5 mm to about 30 mm.

19. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

20. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 9.5 mm.21 . The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the geotextile sheet has a thickness of about 14.5 mm.

22. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 1000 g / m2to about 3000 g / m2.

23. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 1500 g / m2to about 2500 g / m2.

24. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 2000 g / m2.

25. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the geotextile sheet has a density of about 1600 g / m2.

26. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the geotextile sheet has an apparent opening size (AOS) of about 20 pm to about 600 pm.

27. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the geotextile sheet has an apparent opening size (AOS) of less than about 80 pm.

28. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the geotextile sheet has an apparent opening size (AOS) of less than about 75 pm.

29. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the geotextile sheet comprises geotextile sheet staple fibers comprising a blend of the bicomponent staple fibers and other staple fibers.

30. The pipeline wrap of claim 29, wherein the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 1 wt-% to about 99 wt % of the bicomponent staple fibers.31 . The pipeline wrap of claim 29, wherein the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 15 wt-% to about 25 wt % of the bicomponent staple fibers.

32. The pipeline wrap of claim 29, wherein the geotextile sheet staple fibers comprise from about 20 wt-% of the bicomponent staple fibers.

33. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the other staple fibers comprise polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, Teflon™, epoxy, cotton, lyocell, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, rayon, spandex, steel, metallic alloy, composites, carbon fibre, glass, aramid, or any combination thereof.

34. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the other staple fibers comprise polyester.

35. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 5 mm to about 150 mm.

36. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 50 mm to about 100 mm.

37. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein the other staple fibers have a staple length of about 75 mm.

38. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 1 den to about 1000 den.

39. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 2 den to about 100 den.

40. The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the other staple fibers have a linear mass density of about 4 den.41 . The pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the geotextile sheet is a nonwoven needlepunched fabric.

42. A pipeline protection system comprising one or more of the pipeline wraps of any one of claims 1 to 41 enveloping a pipeline, wherein adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps are affixed together.

43. The pipeline protection system of claim 42, wherein the adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps are affixed together by an affixing device.

44. The pipeline protection system of claim 43, wherein the affixing device comprises mushroom tape.

45. The pipeline protection system of claim 44, wherein the affixing device comprises hook tape.

46. The pipeline protection system of claim 42, wherein the adjacent edges of the plurality of one or more pipeline wraps are affixed together by heat welds.

47. A pipeline protection kit comprising: one or more of the pipeline wraps of any one of claims 1 to 41 ; andone or more affixing devices for affixing together adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps.

48. Use of the pipeline wrap of any one of claims 1 to 41 for enveloping a pipeline.

49. A method of protecting a pipeline, the method comprising: providing one or more of the pipeline wraps of any one of claims 1 to 41 ; enveloping the pipeline with the one or more pipeline wraps; and affixing together adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein affixing together the adjacent edges of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps.51 . The method of claim 50 when dependent on claim 2, wherein heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heating the opposing surfaces to a heat welding temperature below the first melting point and at least the second melting point.

52. The method of claim 50 or 51 , wherein heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heating the opposing surfaces using a gas torch, an electric radiant heater, or a hot air gun.

53. The method of claim 50 or 51 , wherein heat welding together opposing surfaces of the one or more pipeline wraps comprises heating the opposing surfaces using a propane torch.

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