Annular Pipeline Grit Blasting With Moving Turbine Feed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grit blasting systems for annular junction portions of pipelines on laying vessels are not adaptable to different pipeline diameters and are inefficient due to limited space and the need for precise, reliable operation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a carriage with a centrifugal turbine that rotates orthogonally to the pipeline's axis, a hopper for grit feeding, and a guide device ensuring continuous grit supply and orthogonal blast orientation, allowing for efficient and homogeneous grit blasting without axial movement of the turbine, and adaptable to various diameters through adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a grit blasting system with four centrifugal wheels is used to cover the pipeline circumference, then the grit blasting coverage is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline surface is divided into multiple zones that are treated sequentially by a single centrifugal wheel as the carriage moves along the annular path, eliminating the need for multiple wheels to cover the entire circumference simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static multi-wheel configuration to a dynamic single-wheel system that moves along the pipeline circumference, adding the dimension of temporal sequencing to replace spatial multiplication
2Device complexity
If the centrifugal turbine rotates about an axis parallel to the pipeline axis, then the system structure is simplified, but the grit blasting effectiveness and adaptability to different diameters deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal turbine's rotational axis is positioned orthogonal to the pipeline axis, and the carriage moves along an annular path, creating a dynamic configuration that adapts to different pipeline diameters while maintaining effective grit blasting coverage
3Area of stationary object
If the carriage advances along an annular path around the pipeline, then the space requirements on the laying vessel are reduced, but the reliability of continuous grit feeding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is pre-filled with grit before the carriage begins its annular movement, ensuring that the centrifugal turbine receives continuous grit supply throughout the entire blasting cycle without interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage moves continuously along the annular path while the centrifugal turbine operates continuously, with the hopper positioned to maintain uninterrupted grit flow to the turbine throughout the complete circulation cycle
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple processing stations are distributed along the launching line, then the grit blasting operations can be performed, but the processing time and productivity are reduced due to congestion and limited space
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing functions are combined into a single integrated carriage that moves along the annular path, allowing grit blasting and other operations to be performed in sequence at one location rather than requiring multiple separate stations
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform grit blasting and potentially other processing operations, making it a universal tool that replaces multiple specialized stations
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 system provides efficient, reliable, and adaptable grit blasting, reducing processing time and minimizing space requirements on laying vessels, ensuring effective surface preparation for coatings while maintaining safety and reducing dust and noise exposure for operators.
Implementation Method 1
at least one centrifugal turbine, which is configured to project grit at the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
The elimination of rust and residues is carried out by removal, based on the high-speed mechanical impact of a grit of suitable size
Implementation Method 3
a guide device configured to act in conjunction with the hopper to feed grit to the centrifugal turbine at all operating positions of the carriage
Data Source
AI summary
A system for grit blasting an annular junction portion of a pipeline extending along a longitudinal axis on board a laying vessel, comprises at least one carriage configured to advance along an annular path about the pipeline; at least one centrifugal turbine, which is configured to project grit towards the pipeline, rotates about a rotation axis lying on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and is supported by the carriage; at least one feed device configured to feed the grit to the centrifugal turbine and comprising a hopper which extends along a respective axis, defines a feed chamber and is coupled to the respective carriage and a guide device configured to act in conjunction with the hopper to feed the grit to the centrifugal turbine at all the operating positions of the carriage.