In-Situ Gas Generation for Pipeline Pig Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for moving a pig through subsea pipelines require high-pressure and high-volume compressed gas, necessitating large surface support vessels and bulky conduits, which are costly and prone to damage from sea currents.
Innovation Solution
A chemical reaction between reagents produces a gaseous reaction product at Standard Temperature and Pressure, which is introduced into the pipeline to propel the pig, eliminating the need for large compressors and surface support vessels, and using a smaller, less bulky conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large pumps or compressors are used to generate high volume compressed gas to propel the pig, then the pig can be moved through the pipeline, but large surface support vessels and expensive equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of large pumps and compressors with a chemical reaction system. Chemical reagents are mixed to generate gas in-situ within the pipeline, eliminating the need for external mechanical compression equipment and large support vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates its own propelling gas through chemical reactions of reagents that are introduced into the pipeline. The reagents self-generate the required gas volume and pressure without external assistance from large compressors or support infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If large diameter conduit or coiled tubing is used to transfer compressed gas from the platform to the pig, then sufficient gas volume can be delivered, but the conduit becomes tangled or damaged by sea currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas generation process from the external support platform and relocates it directly into the pipeline. By generating gas in-situ through chemical reagents introduced through small conduit, the system eliminates the need for large diameter conduit or coiled tubing that are susceptible to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Chemical reagents serve as intermediaries that are introduced through small conduit and transform into the required gas volume within the pipeline. This intermediary approach allows small conduit to deliver the necessary substance quantity without requiring large diameter tubing.
3Stress or pressure
If high pressure compressed gas is used to overcome the hydrostatic head in deep water pipelines, then the pig can be propelled through the pipeline, but large expensive surface support vessels are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compression systems with chemical reaction systems to generate the required pressure. Chemical reagents react to produce gas that naturally builds pressure to overcome hydrostatic head, eliminating the need for large surface support vessels and mechanical compressors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameters of chemical reagents through reaction to produce gas with the required pressure and volume characteristics. This parameter transformation occurs in-situ, eliminating the need for external equipment to achieve the necessary pressure conditions.
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
This method reduces the hydrostatic head and allows the pig to be moved efficiently through the pipeline without the need for large equipment or support vessels, minimizing costs and reducing the risk of conduit damage.
Implementation Method 1
causing a chemical reaction between two or more reagents to produce at least one reaction product that would be in a gaseous state at Standard Temperature and Pressure
Implementation Method 2
the stoichiometric number of reaction products that would be in a gaseous state at STP is greater than the stoichiometric number of reagents that would be in a gaseous state at STP
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method of moving a pig through pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing the pig into the pipeline; b) causing a chemical reaction between two or more reagents to produce at least one reaction product that would be in a gaseous state at STP, wherein the reagents would be in a non-gaseous state at STP; and c) introducing the gaseous reaction product into the pipeline. The invention also provides a method of moving a pig through a pipeline, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing the pig into the pipeline; b) introducing into the pipeline two or more reagents capable of chemically reacting to produce at least one reaction product that would be in a gaseous state at STP, wherein the reagents would be in a non-gaseous state at STP.