Pipeline pigging tool with nanobubbles

Abstract

A mixture can be used to form a pigging tool having nanobubbles dispersed therein and that can be used in a pipeline operation. The mixture can include a polymer-based material and a cross-linking agent. The cross-linking agent can be reacted with the polymer-based material to form a cured pigging tool that can be positioned in a pipeline to perform the pipeline operation. The cured pigging tool can include a plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein to at least arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the pipeline operation.

Description

PIPELINE PIGGING TOOL WITH NANOBUBBLESTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to pipeline operations and, more particularly (although not necessarily exclusively), to a pigging tool having nanobubbles and that can be used in pipeline operations.Background

[0002] Pipeline operations may include various equipment, components, methods, or techniques to transport material, such as hydrocarbons, water, and the like, using a wellbore, flowline, or other pipeline. In some examples, the pipeline may undergo maintenance to enhance a useful lifetime of the pipeline. For example, the maintenance may involve cleaning or otherwise removing damaging material from the pipeline. A pig can be used to perform the maintenance. But, the pig may not be able to perform maintenance on certain pipelines or in certain situations.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a pigging tool with nanobubbles dispersed therein deployed in a pipeline according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a set of views of a pigging tool with nanobubbles dispersed therein according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for forming and using a pigging tool with nanobubbles dispersed therein according to one example of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a process flow for forming a cured pigging tool with nanobubbles dispersed therein according to one example of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0007] Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to a pigging tool and nanobubbles that are dispersed within the pigging tool. The pigging tool can be used in pipelines, such as surface flowlines, wellbore pipelines, and the like, to perform one or more pipeline operations. For example, the pigging tool can beused to perform a pipeline maintenance operation, a pipeline cleaning operation, and the like. The pigging tool can include nanobubbles arranged in the pigging tool to arrest or at least partially arrest crack development or otherwise prevent cracks from propagating or degrading a performance of the pigging tool. In some examples, such as examples in which the pigging tool is a gel-based pigging tool or an elastic pigging tool, the nanobubbles may be introduced into the pigging tool during or prior to a curing process used to form the pigging tool. Additionally or alternatively, the nanobubbles may be or include void pockets that include gaseous material and may serve as termination points for potential cracks or other damage that the pigging tool may experience or otherwise incur during the one or more pipeline operations.

[0008] A pipeline operation may involve one or more pipelines that may be difficult with which to operate pipeline tools such as a pigging tool. For example, the one or more pipelines may have an elbow, a t-section, a different type of angle, a valve, a diameter constriction, other difficulties, or the like. Other pigging tools or systems can experience difficulty with traversing the one or more pipelines. For example, the other pigging tools may traverse the elbow, the t-section, the different type of angle, the valve, the diameter constriction, or the like, and the other pigging tools may incur damage, may cause damage to the one or more pipelines, or the like. The other pigging tools may suffer from cracks, deformation, and the like that may reduce an effectiveness of a seal of the other pigging tools, may degrade a performance of the other pigging tools, may cause a rupture in the other pigging tools, may cause the other pigging tools to be rendered inoperable, etc.

[0009] A pigging tool that includes nanobubbles dispersed therein can be used to perform operations with respect to the one or more pipelines that may be difficult with which to operate pipeline tools. The pigging tool may be a gel-based pigging tool, an elastic pigging tool, or other suitable type of pigging tool that can undergo diameter constriction, can traverse angles (e.g., elbows, t-sections, etc.), or can otherwise deform to traverse various obstacles included in the one or more pipelines. The pigging tool can include nanobubbles dispersed therein and arranged to arrest crack development in the pigging tool. In some examples, the nanobubbles can be dispersed in the pigging tool to reduce a density of the pigging tool, to reduce a chemical volume associated with the pigging tool, to enhance a compressibility of the pigging tool, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, while traversing, or subsequent to traversing, thediameter constriction, the angles, or the like, one or more cracks may develop in the pigging tool due to shear stress applied to the pigging tool. In some examples, the pigging tool may experience or receive the shear stress via contraction and expansion of the pigging tool, via lateral deformation (e.g., cause by traversing an angle in the pipeline) of the pigging tool, via damaging material (e.g., corrosion, material build-up, debris, etc.) contacting the pigging tool in the one or more pipelines, etc.

[0010] The cracks may propagate in the pigging tool, but the cracks can terminate at one or more of the nanobubbles. Terminating at a nanobubble may arrest the crack, which may involve preventing the crack from further propagating or otherwise causing further damage to the pigging tool. In some examples, arresting crack development may allow the pigging tool to retain a seal, to retain mass or shape, and to retain other performance properties when traversing the diameter constriction, the angle, and the like in the one or more pipelines. Additionally or alternatively, the pigging tool can undergo a diameter constriction of more than approximately 50% and retain a seal and other performance properties due to the crack arrestment properties provided by the nanobubbles.

[0011] In some examples, the pigging tool may be or include a cured pigging tool that includes a mixture of one or more components. The one or more components may be or include a polymer-based material and a cross-linking agent. In some examples, the polymer-based material may be or include a polymer or a material that includes a polymer. Some examples of the polymer-based material can include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, etc. Some examples of the cross-linking agent may include polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compoundsreacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof. While examples of the polymer-based material and the cross-linking agent are provided above, other examples of the polymer-based material or the cross-linking agent are possible for the pigging tool.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, additives can be mixed with the polymer- based material and the cross-linking agent to form the pigging tool. Examples of the additives can include organophilic clays, styrene or butadiene latexes, accelerators, plasticizers, stabilizers (e.g., which may include UV stabilizers), antioxidants, waxes, lubricants and boundary lubrication additives (e.g., random alkylene oxide copolymers and fatty acid (C10-C18) diethanolamide condensates), tackifiers, tougheners, drying agents, flame retardants, rheology modifiers, color pastes or color pigments (e.g., titanium dioxide, iron oxides, or carbon black; solvents), non-reactive diluents, or any combination thereof. The additives may, for the resultant pigging tool, enhance elastic properties, enhance elastic recovery, enhance impact resistance, reduce gel time, reduce residual tack, and the like.

[0013] The polymer-based material can be mixed with, reacted with, or otherwise combined with the cross-linking agent to form the pigging tool. For example, the polymer-based material can be mixed or reacted with the cross-linking agent to form the pigging tool, and the pigging tool can be cured, such as by being exposed to heat, pressure, or other techniques for curing the pigging tool, to form a cured pigging tool.

[0014] The nanobubbles may be introduced to the polymer-based material, to the cross-linking agent, to the pigging tool subsequent to combining the polymer- based material and the cross-linking agent, or to any combination thereof. For example, the nanobubbles can be generated and injected into the polymer-based material or into the cross-linking agent. In some examples, the nanobubbles may be generated and injected into the pigging tool, for example subsequent to combining the polymer-based material and the cross-linking agent or otherwise prior to curing the pigging tool to form the cured pigging tool.

[0015] In some examples, the nanobubbles may be stable for the life of the cured pigging tool. Additionally or alternatively, movement or other behavior of thenanobubbles may not be influenced by gravity, buoyancy, or the like. For example, the nanobubbles may exhibit Brownian motion when injected into the polymer-based material, into the cross-linking agent, into the pigging tool, or into any combination thereof, and the nanobubbles may remain stable and within the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent, the pigging tool, or any combination thereof throughout a process for forming and curing the pigging tool. In some examples, stable nanobubbles may be or include nanobubbles that do not combine with one another, that do not pop or otherwise rupture, etc.

[0016] Once the pigging tool is cured, the nanobubbles may be set into a particular arrangement within the cured pigging tool. In some examples, the nanobubbles may be arranged randomly, pseudo-random ly, or in a controlled arrangement within the cured pigging tool. For example, the nanobubbles may be injected into the pigging tool, for example prior to curing the pigging tool, and allowed to undergo Brownian motion, or other similar motion followed by nanoparticles, until a random or pseudo-random arrangement is achieved.

[0017] The nanobubbles may each have a diameter of less than approximately ten microns, less than approximately five microns, less than approximately two microns, less than approximately one micron, less than approximately 900 nanometers, less than approximately 750 nanometers, less than approximately 500 nanometers, less than approximately 250 nanometers, less than approximately 100 nanometers, etc. A size of the nanobubbles included in the pigging tool may vary. For example, diameters of the nanobubbles included in the pigging tool may range from less than approximately 50 nanometers to more than approximately 15 microns, though other suitable ranges for the diameters of the nanobubbles included in the pigging tool are possible.

[0018] In some examples, the nanobubbles may be or include void pockets that can be filled with a gaseous material. The void pockets may have different material than the material of the pigging tool. For example, the pigging tool may be or include a gel-like material, and the void pocket may be or include the gaseous material, which may form a discontinuity in the mass of the pigging tool.

[0019] The gaseous material may be or include atmospheric gas, inert gas, reactive gas, or any combination thereof. The atmospheric gas may mimic or otherwise have a similar composition with respect to naturally occurring gaseousmaterial in the atmosphere. The inert gas may be or include gaseous elements or compounds that may not react with the cured pigging tool, components of the cured pigging tool, an environment in which the cured pigging tool is intended to be operated or disposed, or the like. The reactive gas may be or include gaseous elements or compounds that are designed to react with the cured pigging tool, components of the cured pigging tool, an environment in which the cured pigging tool is intended to be operated or disposed, or the like. Some examples of the reactive gaseous material that may be used in the nanobubbles may include material for enhancing a curing process for curing the pigging tool, material for enhancing a process for degrading a used and discarded, cured pigging tool, material for preventing interaction between a particular environment and the used and discarded, cured pigging tool, or other suitable material.

[0020] These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a pigging tool 108 with nanobubbles dispersed therein deployed in a pipeline 106 according to one example of the present disclosure. The pigging tool 108 can be deployed within a pipeline 106, which may be or include a surface flowline, a wellbore pipeline, etc. The pipeline 106 may be used to store or transport hydrocarbon fuels, such as oil or gas, or other suitable material such as water, wellbore fluid, and the like. In some examples, one or more sections of the pipeline can be underwater, can be buried under a subterranean formation 110, can be positioned at the surface, or the like.

[0022] In some examples, such as the example illustrated with respect to FIG. 1 , the pipeline 106 can be or include a terrestrial pipeline surrounded by a subterranean formation 110. The pipeline 106 may include an above-surface opening 104 that may be used to install the pigging tool 108 in the pipeline 106, to retrieve the pigging tool 108 from the pipeline 106, or a combination thereof. The pigging tool 108 may be communicatively coupled to a receiving module 112 external to the pipeline 106 for receiving or transmitting operating instructions, diagnostic data, and otherinformation of the like with respect to the pigging tool 108. In some examples, the receiving module 112 may be positioned above ground. The receiving module 112 may alternatively be referred to as an external module. The receiving module 112 external to the pipeline 106 may also be used for receiving pipeline health information. The pipeline 106 may span a large distance such as several continuous miles, several hundred continuous miles, etc. To increase efficiency and reduce a difficulty of monitoring pipeline data, observation tools that can travel at least a portion of a pipeline, such as the pigging tool 108, can be utilized. In other examples, the pigging tool 108 may operate without communicative coupling to external devices such as the receiving module 112.

[0023] In some examples, the pipeline 106 may have one or more difficult-to- traverse features. The one or more difficult-to-traverse features may be or include angles, t-sections, intersections, diameter restrictions or constrictions, valves, or any combination thereof. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the pipeline 106 can include diameter restriction 102, which may be or include a valve, another pipeline tool, debris build-up, or the like. While not illustrated in FIG. 1 , the pipeline 106 may also, or alternatively, have t-sections, difficult-to-traverse angles, or the like. The pigging tool 108 may be caused to traverse the diameter restriction 102, and traversing the diameter restriction 102 may cause the pigging tool 108 to contract or otherwise deform to pass through the diameter restriction 102 while performing one or more pipeline operations such as cleaning an interior surface of the pipeline 106. In some examples, contracting, deforming, or otherwise performing the one or more pipeline operations may cause cracks or other damage to form or propagate in the pigging tool 108.

[0024] In some examples, the pigging tool 108 may be or include a cured pigging tool having nanobubbles dispersed therein. The nanobubbles may be dispersed in a particular arrangement, randomly, pseudo-random ly, or the like within the pigging tool 108. The nanobubbles may provide performance enhancement to the pigging tool 108. For example, the nanobubbles may arrest crack development or other damage development in the pigging tool 108. Since the nanobubbles may be or include void pockets, any crack that originates in the pigging tool 108 and propagates within the pigging tool 108, such as toward a nanobubble, may terminate at the nanobubble. Terminating at the nanobubble may involve halting the propagation of thecrack once the crack contacts or otherwise overlaps the nanobubble. By facilitating termination of cracks originating in the pigging tool 108, the nanobubbles may provide crack arrestment for the pigging tool 108 and may enhance, compared to other pigging tools that do not use or include nanobubbles, a threshold level of shear stress that the pigging tool 108 may experience without losing or degrading performance properties such as a seal, cleaning effectiveness, and the like.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a set of views 200a-b of a pigging tool 108 with nanobubbles dispersed therein according to one example of the present disclosure. The view 200a may be a simplified, block-style perspective view of the pigging tool 108 that includes nanobubbles dispersed therein, and the view 200b may be a simplified sectional view of the pigging tool 108 that includes nanobubbles, such as nanobubble 202, dispersed therein.

[0026] In some examples, and as illustrated in the view 200a, the pigging tool 108 may be approximately cylindrical in shape. In other examples, the pigging tool 108 may be of other shapes that may conform to, and provide a seal within, an interior surface of a particular pipeline that may be involved in a pipeline operation performed by the pigging tool 108. Additionally or alternatively, the view 200a does not illustrate nanobubbles since there may be no nanobubbles adjacent to or otherwise overlapping an exterior surface 204 of the pigging tool 108. In other examples, which may be different in at least some respects with respect to the example illustrated in the view 200a, some of the nanobubbles dispersed in the pigging tool 108 may be adjacent to, or overlapping with, the exterior surface of the pigging tool 108.

[0027] As illustrated in the view 200b, the pigging tool 108 may have an arrangement of nanobubbles 206 dispersed within an interior region 208 of the pigging tool 108. The arrangement of nanobubbles 206 may be random, may be pseudorandom, may be controlled to be a particular arrangement (e.g., a particular density gradient to optimize crack arrestment properties for the pigging tool 108, etc.), or the like. For example, the arrangement of nanobubbles 206 may be injected into the pigging tool 108 and allowed to undergo Brownian motion, or other similar motion followed by nanoparticles, until a random or pseudo-random arrangement is achieved.

[0028] In some examples, the nanobubble 202, and one or more, or all, of the remaining nanobubbles dispersed within the pigging tool 108, may be or include a void pocket. The void pocket may be a discontinuity in material that forms the pigging tool108, and the void pocket may include a gaseous material or other suitable material that can be included in the void pocket. The gaseous material may be or include atmospheric air-like material, inert material that is non-reactive with the cured pigging tool, reactive material, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the reactive material may be used as a catalyst to cure the pigging tool 108, to break down or otherwise degrade the pigging tool 108 subsequent to a predetermined amount of time, or the like.

[0029] The nanobubble 202 may provide a termination point within the pigging tool 108 for one or more cracks, deformations, or other damage that may form in the pigging tool 108. For example, the pigging tool 108 may be used to clean a pipeline that includes a difficult-to-traverse feature such as a diameter restriction, an angle, or the like. Traversing the difficult-to-traverse feature may cause the pigging tool 108 to deform, such as via diameter contraction through the diameter restriction or turning through the angle, or to otherwise receive shear stress. The shear stress may cause damage to the pigging tool 108. For example, the shear stress may cause one or more cracks to form in the pigging tool 108. The one or more cracks may propagate through the pigging tool 108 while the pigging tool 108 is receiving the shear stress, after the pigging tool 108 returns to a resting state, or a combination thereof. But, the one or more cracks may propagate to, and terminate at, the nanobubble 202. For example, the nanobubble 202 may provide crack arrestment functionality for the pigging tool 108 so that, when a crack comes in contact with or otherwise overlaps the nanobubble 202, the crack is arrested or otherwise prevented from further propagating.

[0030] As illustrated in the view 200b, the pigging tool 108 has one example of a density of nanobubbles dispersed therein. In other examples, such as different sectional views, different pigging tools, different arrangements of nanobubbles, and the like, the density may be different, such as a higher density of nanobubbles or a lower density of nanobubbles, which may be based on material used to form the pigging tool, a pipeline operation for the pigging tool, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, a size of the nanobubble 202 and the other nanobubbles in the arrangement of nanobubbles 206 may vary. For example, a diameter of the nanobubble 202 or of one or more nanobubbles included in the arrangement of nanobubbles 206 may have a diameter of less than approximately ten microns, less than approximately five microns, less than approximately two microns, less thanapproximately one micron, less than approximately 900 nanometers, less than approximately 750 nanometers, less than approximately 500 nanometers, less than approximately 250 nanometers, less than approximately 100 nanometers, etc. Additionally or alternatively, diameters of the nanobubbles included in the arrangement of nanobubbles 206 may range from less than approximately 50 nanometers to more than approximately 15 microns, though other suitable ranges for the diameters are possible.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process 300 for forming and using a pigging tool 108 with an arrangement of nanobubbles 206 dispersed therein according to one example of the present disclosure. At block 302, a polymer-based material, a crosslinking agent, and a set of nanobubbles are provided. In some examples, the set of nanobubbles can be provided by injecting the set of nanobubbles into the polymer- based material, into the cross-linking agent, or into a combination thereof prior to mixing the polymer-based material and the cross-linking agent. In other examples, the set of nanobubbles can be provided by first combining the polymer-based material and the cross-linking agent to form the pigging tool and then injecting the set of nanobubbles into the pigging tool.

[0032] The set of nanobubbles may have diameters that may range from less than approximately 50 nanometers to more than approximately 15 microns, though other suitable ranges for the diameters are possible. Additionally or alternatively, the set of nanobubbles may be or have void pockets that can be filled with a gaseous material such as atmospheric-like air, inert gas, reactive gas, or any combination thereof.

[0033] Some examples of the polymer-based material can include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and aterpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, etc. Some examples of the cross-linking agent may include polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof. While examples of the polymer-based material and the cross-linking agent are provided above, other examples of the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent, or a combination thereof are possible for the pigging tool 108.

[0034] At block 304, the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent, and the set of nanobubbles are mixed to form a cured pigging tool, such as the pigging tool 108, having the set of nanobubbles dispersed therein. The set of nanobubbles may be generated and injected into the polymer-based material, into the cross-linking agent, or into a combination thereof. The set of nanobubbles may be injected into the polymer-based material or into the cross-linking agent prior to mixing the polymer- based material and the cross-linking agent. In some examples, the polymer-based material may be mixed with the cross-linking agent to form a pigging tool, which may be uncured, and then the set of nanobubbles may be generated and injected into the pigging tool. The set of nanobubbles may be injected into the polymer-based material, into the cross-linking agent, or into the pigging tool prior to curing the pigging tool. Curing the pigging tool may involve exposing the mixture of the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent, and the set of nanobubbles to heat, pressure, or other suitable input that can cause the pigging tool to cure.

[0035] In some examples, the set of nanobubbles may be stable during formation and curing of the pigging tool. The set of nanobubbles may act and move as nanoparticles. For example, each nanobubble of the set of nanobubbles may be subject to and undergo Brownian motion or other suitable motion experienced by nanoparticles. Additionally or alternatively, motion of each nanobubble of the set of nanobubbles, or any subset thereof, may not be dominated or influenced by gravity, buoyancy, or the like. The nanobubbles included in the set of nanobubbles may also resist or avoid combining with one another, popping or rupturing, or otherwise destabilizing during curing of the pigging tool. Once the pigging tool is cured, the set of nanobubbles may be locked into place and may resist or avoid migrating within thepigging tool even while the pigging tool experiences shear stress during a pipeline operation performed by the pigging tool.

[0036] At block 306, the cured pigging tool is used to perform one or more pipeline operations. The one or more pipeline operations can include a pipeline cleaning operation, a pipeline maintenance operation, or the like. The one or more pipeline operations may involve a pipeline having a difficult-to-traverse feature such as a diameter restriction, an angle, and the like. The cured pigging tool can traverse the difficult-to-traverse feature without losing a significant amount of effectiveness for performing the one or more pipeline operations. For example, the cured pigging tool can traverse the difficult-to-traverse feature and may retain a seal, mass, continuity, or the like and may be used to continue the one or more pipeline operations or to perform one or more other operations successfully. During operation of the cured pigging tool, one or more cracks may form in the cured pigging tool. The set of nanobubbles dispersed in the cured pigging tool may provide crack arrestment functionality for the cured pigging tool. For example, cracks that form in the cured pigging tool may propagate towards, and contact or overlap, one or more of the set of nanobubbles. The set of nanobubbles may cause the cracks to terminate or otherwise prevent the crack from further propagating, and this crack arrestment functionality may allow the cured pigging tool to retain a seal, mass, continuity, or the like and may be used to continue the one or more pipeline operations or to perform one or more other operations successfully.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a process flow 400 for forming a cured pigging tool with nanobubbles dispersed therein according to one example of the present disclosure. The process flow 400 may begin with a polymer-based material 402 and a cross-linking agent 404. Examples of the polymer-based material 402 and the cross-linking agent 404 are discussed above. The polymer-based material 402 and the cross-linking agent 404 can be mixed to form a raw pigging tool 406. In some examples, the raw pigging tool 406 can be uncured or otherwise not ready to be used in one or more pipeline operations. A set of nanobubbles 408 can be introduced into the raw pigging tool 406. For example, the set of nanobubbles 408 can be generated and injected into the raw pigging tool 406. In other examples, the set of nanobubbles 408 can be injected into the polymer-based material 402, the cross-linking agent 404, or a combination thereof prior to forming the raw pigging tool 406. As illustrated in theprocess flow 400, three dashed-line arrows originate with the set of nanobubbles 408 and terminate at the polymer-based material 402, the cross-linking agent 404, and the raw pigging tool 406. The dashed nature of the lines indicate that the set of nanobubbles 408 can be injected into the polymer-based material 402, the crosslinking agent 404, the raw pigging tool 406, or any subset thereof (e.g., some of the dashed lines may be optional). The raw pigging tool 406 can be cured to form a cured pigging tool 410. For example, the raw pigging tool 406 can be exposed to heat, pressure, or other suitable input that can cause the raw pigging tool 406 to cure into the cured pigging tool 410.

[0038] In some aspects, mixtures, pigging tools, and methods for a pipeline pigging tool with nanobubbles are provided according to one or more of the following examples:

[0039] As used below, any reference to a series of examples is to be understood as a reference to each of those examples disjunctively (e.g., "Examples 1 -4" is to be understood as "Examples 1 , 2, 3, or 4").

[0040] Example 1 is a mixture comprising: a polymer-based material; and a cross-linking agent reactable with the polymer-based material to form a cured pigging tool that comprises a plurality of nanobubbles, the cured pigging tool positionable in a pipeline to perform one or more pipeline operations, wherein the cured pigging tool includes an arrangement of the plurality of nanobubbles to at least partially arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the one or more pipeline operations.

[0041] Example 2 is the mixture of example 1 , wherein each nanobubble included in the plurality of nanobubbles includes a void pocket filled with gaseous material, and wherein the void pocket is less than approximately five microns in diameter.

[0042] Example 3 is the mixture of any of examples 1-2, wherein the gaseous material comprises (i) inert material that is non-reactive with the cured pigging tool, or (ii) reactive material that is usable as a catalyst to cure the cured pigging tool or as a degradation agent to break down the cured pigging tool subsequent to a predetermined amount of time.

[0043] Example 4 is the mixture of example 1 , wherein the polymer-based material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonicacid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide.

[0044] Example 5 is the mixture of example 1 , wherein the cross-linking agent includes polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof.

[0045] Example 6 is the mixture of example 1 , wherein the polymer-based material or the cross-linking agent comprises the plurality of nanobubbles prior to curing of the cured pigging tool.

[0046] Example 7 is the mixture of example 1 , wherein the plurality of nanobubbles are dispersed within the cured pigging tool into the arrangement to arrest crack development caused by the one or more pipeline operations that include traversing a diameter restriction or traversing an angle in the pipeline.

[0047] Example 8 is a cured pigging tool comprising: a polymer-based material; a cross-linking agent reactable with the polymer-based material to form the cured pigging tool that is positionable in a pipeline to perform one or more pipeline operations; and a plurality of nanobubbles dispersed within the cured pigging tool, the plurality of nanobubbles arranged in the cured pigging tool to at least arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the one or more pipeline operations.

[0048] Example 9 is the cured pigging tool of example 8, wherein each nanobubble included in the plurality of nanobubbles includes a void pocket filled with gaseous material, and wherein the void pocket is less than approximately five microns in diameter.

[0049] Example 10 is the cured pigging tool of any of examples 8-9, wherein the gaseous material comprises (i) inert material that is non-reactive with the curedpigging tool, or (ii) reactive material that is usable as a catalyst to cure the cured pigging tool or as a degradation agent to break down the cured pigging tool subsequent to a predetermined amount of time.

[0050] Example 11 is the cured pigging tool of example 8, wherein the polymer- based material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide.

[0051] Example 12 is the cured pigging tool of example 8, wherein the crosslinking agent includes polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof.

[0052] Example 13 is the cured pigging tool of example 8, wherein the plurality of nanobubbles are dispersed within only one of the the polymer-based material or the cross-linking agent prior to the cured pigging tool being formed.

[0053] Example 14 is the cured pigging tool of example 8, wherein the plurality of nanobubbles are arranged within the cured pigging tool to arrest crack development caused by the one or more piepline operations that include traversing a diameter restriction or traversing an angle in the pipeline.

[0054] Example 15 is a method comprising: providing a polymer-based material, a cross-linking agent that is reactable with the polymer-based material, and a plurality of nanobubbles; mixing the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent, and the plurality of nanobubbles to form a cured pigging tool that includes the plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein; and performing one or more pipeline operationsusing the cured pigging tool, the plurality of nanobubbles arranged in the cured pigging tool to at least arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the one or more pipeline operations.

[0055] Example 16 is the method of example 15, wherein each nanobubble included in the plurality of nanobubbles includes a void pocket filled with gaseous material, wherein the void pocket is less than approximately five microns in diameter, and wherein the gaseous material comprises (i) inert material that is non-reactive with the cured pigging tool, or (ii) reactive material used as a catalyst to cure the cured pigging tool or as a degradation agent to break down the cured pigging tool subsequent to a predetermined amount of time elapsing.

[0056] Example 17 is the method of example 15, wherein the polymer-based material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide.

[0057] Example 18 is the method of example 15, wherein the cross-linking agent includes polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof.

[0058] Example 19 is the method of example 15, wherein providing the polymer- based material, the cross-linking agent that is reactable with the polymer-based material, and the plurality of nanobubbles comprises providing the polymer-based material that includes the plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein or providing the cross-linking agent that includes the plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein.

[0059] Example 20 is the method of example 15, wherein performing the one or more pipeline operations with the cured pigging tool comprises performing the one or more pipeline operations that include traversing a diameter restriction or traversing an angle in the pipeline.

[0060] The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1 . A mixture comprising: a polymer-based material; and a cross-linking agent reactable with the polymer-based material to form a cured pigging tool that comprises a plurality of nanobubbles, the cured pigging tool positionable in a pipeline to perform one or more pipeline operations, wherein the cured pigging tool includes an arrangement of the plurality of nanobubbles to at least partially arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the one or more pipeline operations.

2. The mixture of claim 1 , wherein each nanobubble included in the plurality of nanobubbles includes a void pocket filled with gaseous material, and wherein the void pocket is less than approximately five microns in diameter.

3. The mixture of claim 2, wherein the gaseous material comprises (i) inert material that is non-reactive with the cured pigging tool, or (ii) reactive material that is usable as a catalyst to cure the cured pigging tool or as a degradation agent to break down the cured pigging tool subsequent to a predetermined amount of time.

4. The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide.

5. The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linking agent includes polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof.

6. The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the polymer-based material or the cross-linking agent comprises the plurality of nanobubbles prior to curing of the cured pigging tool.

7. The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanobubbles are dispersed within the cured pigging tool into the arrangement to arrest crack development caused by the one or more pipeline operations that include traversing a diameter restriction or traversing an angle in the pipeline.

8. A cured pigging tool comprising: a polymer-based material; a cross-linking agent reactable with the polymer-based material to form the cured pigging tool that is positionable in a pipeline to perform one or more pipeline operations; and a plurality of nanobubbles dispersed within the cured pigging tool, the plurality of nanobubbles arranged in the cured pigging tool to at least arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the one or more pipeline operations.

9. The cured pigging tool of claim 8, wherein each nanobubble included in the plurality of nanobubbles includes a void pocket filled with gaseous material, and wherein the void pocket is less than approximately five microns in diameter.

10. The cured pigging tool of claim 9, wherein the gaseous material comprises (i) inert material that is non-reactive with the cured pigging tool, or (ii) reactive material that is usable as a catalyst to cure the cured pigging tool or as a degradation agent to break down the cured pigging tool subsequent to a predetermined amount of time.

11. The cured pigging tool of claim 8, wherein the polymer-based material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide.

12. The cured pigging tool of claim 8, wherein the cross-linking agent includes polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof.

13. The cured pigging tool of claim 8, wherein the plurality of nanobubbles are dispersed within only one of the the polymer-based material or the cross-linking agent prior to the cured pigging tool being formed.

14. The cured pigging tool of claim 8, wherein the plurality of nanobubbles are arranged within the cured pigging tool to arrest crack development caused by the one or more piepline operations that include traversing a diameter restriction or traversing an angle in the pipeline.

15. A method comprising: providing a polymer-based material, a cross-linking agent that is reactable with the polymer-based material, and a plurality of nanobubbles;mixing the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent, and the plurality of nanobubbles to form a cured pigging tool that includes the plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein; and performing one or more pipeline operations using the cured pigging tool, the plurality of nanobubbles arranged in the cured pigging tool to at least arrest crack development in the cured pigging tool during the one or more pipeline operations.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each nanobubble included in the plurality of nanobubbles includes a void pocket filled with gaseous material, wherein the void pocket is less than approximately five microns in diameter, and wherein the gaseous material comprises (i) inert material that is non-reactive with the cured pigging tool, or (ii) reactive material used as a catalyst to cure the cured pigging tool or as a degradation agent to break down the cured pigging tool subsequent to a predetermined amount of time elapsing.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the polymer-based material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, t-butyl acrylate, alkyl acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and t-butyl acrylate, a copolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N- dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide, a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride, a terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylamide, and a terpolymer of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and N — N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylamide.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the cross-linking agent includes polyalkyleneimines, polyalkylene polyamines, phenolic compounds reacted with formaldehyde, hydroquinone reacted with hexamethylenetetramine, or a metal compound M, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum(lll), chromium(lll), iron(lll), zirconium(lll), or any mixture thereof.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the polymer-based material, the cross-linking agent that is reactable with the polymer-based material, and the plurality of nanobubbles comprises providing the polymer-based material that includes the plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein or providing the cross-linking agent that includes the plurality of nanobubbles dispersed therein.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the one or more pipeline operations with the cured pigging tool comprises performing the one or more pipeline operations that include traversing a diameter restriction or traversing an angle in the pipeline.

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