External Vehicle for Pipeline Deposit Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing deposits such as wax and hydrates from pipelines, particularly in subsea hydrocarbon production, are inefficient and costly, especially over long distances, and often require complex and cumbersome pigging systems that can be obstructed by excessive deposits.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow processing plant and method that uses a vehicle with heating and vibration means to remove deposits from the inner walls of pipelines, allowing for bi-directional movement and efficient deposit removal without the need for pigs, by cooling the fluid to ambient temperature and using vehicles with propulsion units and deposit removing mechanisms like heating pulses and ultrasonic vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mono-directional pigs are used to remove deposits, then deposit removal is achieved, but the system becomes complex and costly requiring launch and retrieve stations with isolation valves, trap barrels, and bypass valves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the deposit removal function from the complex pigging system by using a simple vehicle with heating and vibration means that travels externally along the pipeline, eliminating the need for trap barrels, isolation valves, and other complex pigging infrastructure while maintaining effective deposit removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical pig system with a vehicle that uses heating elements and vibration mechanisms to remove deposits, substituting the complex mechanical pigging infrastructure with a simpler thermal and vibrational approach that requires no launch or retrieve stations
2Reliability
If pigs are used to remove deposits, then cleaning is achieved, but the system takes up large volume and is heavy requiring costly infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential cleaning function from the heavy pig system, using a lightweight vehicle with heating and vibration means that travels externally along the pipeline, eliminating the need for heavy trap barrels and infrastructure while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
3Reliability
If pigs are launched from top side facilities, then deposit removal is achieved, but two costly production pipes are needed instead of just one
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the deposit removal function from the dual-pipe pigging system, using a single pipeline with an external vehicle that travels along the outside of the pipe, eliminating the need for a second pig loop while maintaining effective cleaning capability
4Reliability
If well stream production is reduced to protect the pig, then pig safety is improved, but production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical pig system with a thermal and vibrational approach using heating elements and vibration means on an external vehicle, allowing full production rates to be maintained while effectively removing deposits without compromising system safety
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and frequent removal of wax and hydrate deposits along cooling sections, ensuring long-distance hydrocarbon export below the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) without the complexity and cost of traditional pigging systems, while being suitable for subsea, top-side, or onshore production.
Implementation Method 1
deposit removing means at or near the outer circumference of the cooling flowline, the deposit removing means being configured to remove deposits situated on the inner wall of the cooling flowline
Implementation Method 2
using vehicles with propulsion units and deposit removing mechanisms like heating pulses and ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 3
cooling the fluid to ambient temperature and using vehicles with propulsion units and deposit removing mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow processing plant for pig-free removal of wax and hydrate deposits in hydrocarbon production flowlines may include at least one cooling flowline. Further, the fluid flow processing plant my include cooling means arranged to cool the fluid in the at least one cooling flowline over a cooling section until the fluid reaches a temperature at or near the cooling flowline's surrounding temperature (Tsea) and at least one vehicle arranged on or near the outer circumference of the cooling flowline. Furthermore, each vehicle may include at least one sleeve configured to at least partly surround an outer circumference of the cooling flowline, deposit removing means being configured to remove deposits situated on an inner wall of the cooling flowline, and a propulsion unit configured to drive the vehicle bi-directionally on the cooling flowline.