Pipeline Bladder Insertion with Natural Gas Capture During Emptying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The uncontrolled release of natural gas, particularly methane, into the atmosphere during the emptying of gas pipelines for maintenance poses environmental and climate hazards.
Innovation Solution
A bladder insertion device equipped with a collection container and/or a gas flare to capture and/or combust the natural gas, preventing its uncontrolled release, featuring components like exhaust pipes, shut-off devices, sensors, and a control unit for controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bladder insertion device is used to empty gas pipeline sections for maintenance, then the pipeline can be safely accessed for repairs, but natural gas escapes uncontrolled into the atmosphere causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful natural gas emissions into a beneficial resource by capturing the gas in a storage container during pipeline emptying operations. The collected gas can then be reused or properly disposed of, transforming what was previously a harmful environmental release into a valuable asset that prevents both pollution and gas waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a storage container and associated control devices between the pipeline and the environment. This intermediary captures the natural gas flow during pipeline emptying, preventing direct atmospheric release while enabling controlled gas management through the bladder insertion device
2Stress or pressure
If natural gas is released during pipeline emptying, then the pipeline section can be depressurized for maintenance, but methane is released into the atmosphere causing climate damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the climate-damaging methane release into a beneficial outcome by capturing the natural gas in a storage container during pipeline depressurization. The captured gas prevents climate damage while maintaining the necessary pressure reduction for maintenance operations
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a collection container is added to the bladder insertion device to capture natural gas, then emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bladder insertion device multi-functional by integrating a storage container that serves both as a gas capture system for emission control and as part of the overall pipeline maintenance equipment. This universal approach allows the device to perform both the original function of pipeline isolation and the new function of gas collection and management
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
The device effectively collects or combusts natural gas, reducing atmospheric emissions and enabling controlled disposal or reuse, thus minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A bladder insertion device equipped with a collection container and/or a gas flare to capture and/or combust the natural gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a bladder setting device (10) for at least temporarily blocking and at least partially emptying at least one fluid-carrying pipeline (11).