Longitudinal Conduit Splitting for Continuous Pipe Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing and processing piping from wells or pipelines are inefficient, requiring significant effort and time due to the need for disconnection of multiple segments and the use of heavy machinery, which complicates environmental cleanup and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for processing conduits that includes a cutting module to create a longitudinal cut, a separation module to split the conduit, and a transportation module to extract and separate piping segments, allowing for continuous pulling without decoupling, and optionally flattening the segments for efficient storage and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rig and snubbing unit are used to remove piping, then the piping can be removed from the well, but the process requires significant effort and time for disconnection of multiple segments
Solution Approach 1:
The piping system is divided into multiple separable segments that can be independently processed. The cutting device creates longitudinal cuts that split the conduit into manageable sections, allowing each segment to be handled separately for removal, which reduces the time and effort required compared to traditional rig-based methods that must handle entire continuous piping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting and separation functions are extracted from the traditional rig system and implemented through a dedicated cutting device with longitudinal blades that can be deployed within the conduit. This extraction allows the cutting operation to be performed in-situ without requiring the complex setup and operation of traditional snubbing units or rigs.
2Reliability
If traditional rigging methods are used, then piping can be removed, but the process is complex and requires significant setup effort
Solution Approach 1:
The complex rig and snubbing unit systems are replaced by extracting the essential cutting and separation functions into a simplified device that can be deployed within the conduit itself. The cutting device with longitudinal blades performs the separation function without requiring external rigging infrastructure, significantly reducing setup complexity while maintaining removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device acts as an intermediary tool deployed within the conduit to perform separation operations. Rather than using external rigs that must be positioned and configured around the well, the cutting device operates from within the conduit, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing the complexity of equipment deployment.
3Ease of operation
If piping segments are disconnected using traditional methods, then segments can be separated, but the process takes significant amount of time
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into multiple sections through longitudinal cutting. Multiple cutting blades positioned at different locations simultaneously create separate sections, allowing parallel processing of multiple separation points rather than sequential disconnection, which dramatically reduces the total time required for segment separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blades are positioned and prepared in advance at predetermined locations along the conduit. Before the actual separation operation begins, all cutting elements are in place and ready to act simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential positioning and adjustment during the separation process, thus reducing overall operation time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A first aspect provides a device for processing a conduit. The device comprises a cutting module to cut at least part of the conduit over a longitudinal axis of the conduit by creating a first cut line in the conduit substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a separation module arranged to separate a first part of the conduit on a first side of the first cut line from a second part of the conduit on a second side of the first cut line and a transportation module for driving the conduit along the cutting module and the separation module. The transportation module is used to pull the piping of the ground, irrespective of whether the piping is in the ground positioned in a vertical way, a horizontal way or under an angle. Hence, the transportation module may be implemented as an extraction module for extracting the piping from the ground.