Hydrocarbon Pipeline Cleaning and Disabling via Directional Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning and disabling pipelines that transport hydrocarbons, especially under terrain obstacles, are inefficient and environmentally harmful due to the lack of comprehensive solutions that maintain high safety standards and prevent environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of vacuum techniques to remove petroleum-derived products, followed by the installation of residual stub pipes with cut-off valves, and the implementation of positive or negative pressure techniques to clean the pipeline using neutralizing-and-washing agents, which are then pumped in and sucked off, ensuring the pipeline is emptied and filled with environmentally inert mixtures to prevent further environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excavation is used to extract the pipeline from the ground, then the pipeline can be completely removed and cleaned, but this causes destruction of the riverbank over a large area and generates considerable costs
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline is extracted from the ground using directional drilling technology to create a horizontal borehole, allowing the pipeline to be pulled out horizontally rather than requiring vertical excavation. This extracts the pipeline from its embedded position while preserving the riverbank structure
Solution Approach 2:
A bridge structure is introduced as an intermediary element to support the pipeline during extraction and relocation. The bridge spans across the river and provides a pathway for the pipeline to be moved without direct contact with the riverbank, preventing environmental destruction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pipeline is left in the ground without excavation, then environmental destruction is avoided, but the pipeline cannot be properly cleaned and disabled
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical cleaning methods requiring pipeline removal are replaced with chemical cleaning agents and high-pressure water jetting systems that can clean the pipeline in situ. This substitution allows effective cleaning without the need for excavation
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline is extracted horizontally from the ground using directional drilling, allowing it to be pulled out and placed on a bridge structure where cleaning can be performed effectively without environmental destruction
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the cleaning process is simple, but they cannot effectively remove all petroleum-derived deposits and ensure environmental safety
Solution Approach 1:
Chemical parameters of the cleaning agents are optimized to specifically target petroleum-derived deposits. The composition, concentration, and temperature of cleaning solutions are adjusted to maximize removal effectiveness while ensuring environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is made continuous through the use of circulating cleaning agents that continuously contact the pipeline interior surfaces. The system maintains continuous flow and action to ensure complete removal of all deposits without interruption
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the pipeline is cleaned in place without extraction, then environmental destruction is avoided, but limited access to the pipeline prevents thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
A bridge structure is introduced as an intermediary platform that provides accessible positioning for cleaning equipment. The bridge spans the river and allows workers and machinery to access the pipeline at multiple points without disturbing the riverbank environment
5Productivity
If petroleum-derived products are discharged or siphoned off traditionally, then the pipeline can be emptied, but this exposes hydrocarbons to the environment and creates pollution risks
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline interior is filled with an inert gas atmosphere during the emptying process to prevent hydrocarbon vapors from mixing with air. This inert environment eliminates the risk of explosion and prevents harmful emissions to the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 2:
The emptying process is made continuous with controlled extraction of hydrocarbons through sealed systems. The continuous operation prevents exposure of hydrocarbons to the environment by maintaining sealed containment throughout the entire emptying process
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 ensures high efficiency and accuracy in cleaning and disabling pipelines while maintaining strict safety standards and preventing environmental pollution, reducing the risk of hydrocarbon vapour concentrations and ensuring leak tightness without exposing petroleum-derived products to open spaces.
Implementation Method 1
remaining petroleum-derived products are sucked off by vacuum techniques from the interior of the pipeline to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
using a positive or negative pressure technique depending on the tightness of the pipeline being cleaned
Implementation Method 3
neutralizing-and-washing agents are pumped into the pipeline (10) segment being cleaned
Implementation Method 4
which are subsequently sucked off, together with the piston elements and petroleum-derived deposits, from the pipeline
Implementation Method 5
mixtures that are environmentally inert and do not adversely affect the ground environment are pumped in by means of pumps
Implementation Method 6
air circulation is forced in order to remove concentrations of hydrocarbon vapours
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning and disabling out of service or damaged pipelines used for the transport of carbohydrates, in particular under terrain obstacles. The subject method consists in that piston elements, each time adjusted to the diameter of a pipeline (10), are introduced through a feed chamber (20) and a collection chamber (30), which piston elements form at least one cleaning-and-washing space between them which moves along the internal surface of the pipeline (10) subjected to cleaning in order to remove the remaining petroleum-derived deposits. After the pipeline (10) has been properly cleaned, mixtures that are environmentally inert and do not have an adverse effect on the ground environment are continuously pumped in through pressure-suction stub-pipes mounted in end plugs or counter flanges until the said mixture appears in the pressure-suction stub pipe on both sides of the pipeline (10) section being disabled; then the pressure-suction stub pipes with shut-off valves are dismounted and a blinding flange secured against corrosion is installed at both ends of the pipeline (10) section being disabled. During the entire process of cleaning and disabling the pipeline (10), the concentration values of hydrocarbon vapours are monitored in a continuous manner by measuring the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL), and if 20% LEL is exceeded, air circulation is forced in order to remove concentrations of hydrocarbon vapours.