Pipeline Pig Bypass Sampling for Sand Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and monitoring sand production in oil and gas pipelines are inaccurate, especially at low sand concentrations, and require impractical calibration and maintenance, lacking thorough and reliable detection and quantification across various pipeline locations.
Innovation Solution
A modified pipeline integrity gauge (pig) with a bypass channel and filters of predetermined mesh sizes to collect solid particles, along with a valve and flow metering device for adjusting and measuring fluid flow, allowing for accurate sampling and characterization of sand particles within the pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic or ultrasonic sensors are used to detect sand production, then qualitative detection is possible, but quantification accuracy and particle size characterization are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sand particles from the fluid stream using filters with specific mesh sizes, physically separating them for direct measurement. This eliminates the need for complex acoustic calibration and allows direct quantification of particle size and concentration, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic/ultrasonic sensing system with a mechanical filtration and direct measurement system. By using physical filters to capture particles and directly measuring them, the system achieves accurate quantification without the calibration complexities of acoustic methods
2Ease of operation
If small sample sizes are used for sand detection, then handling is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient sand accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sampling process into multiple filtration stages with different mesh sizes, allowing progressive concentration of particles. This enables accurate measurement of low sand concentrations while maintaining manageable sample sizes through systematic particle separation and accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary filtration and particle concentration using multiple mesh sizes before final measurement. This preliminary action accumulates sufficient sand particles in a manageable sample volume, ensuring measurement accuracy without requiring large final sample sizes
3Adaptability or versatility
If filters with smaller mesh sizes are used to capture finer particles, then particle size detection range is improved, but filter clogging and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filtration process into multiple stages with progressively smaller mesh sizes. This segmentation allows the system to capture a wide range of particle sizes while preventing clogging of fine mesh filters by larger particles, reducing maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary filtration with larger mesh sizes to remove coarse particles before the fluid reaches finer mesh filters. This preliminary action prevents clogging of sensitive fine mesh filters, extending their operational life and reducing maintenance frequency
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 thorough and reliable sand detection and quantification across pipeline locations, reducing handling risks and providing more representative samples with improved accuracy and reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filter located within the bypass channel and configured to collect solid particles within the fluid of predetermined minimum size
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for sampling solid particles in fluid flowing through a pipeline. In one or more embodiments, a pipeline pig having at least one bypass channel and at least one filter located within the bypass channel is configured to collect solid particles within the fluid of predetermined minimum size. Additional filters of varying mesh size may be included. In other embodiments, at least one valve may be used to adjust the fluid flow through the bypass channel, and a flow metering device may be configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass channel. In other embodiments, a bypass control device may be configured to control the valve to regulate fluid flow rate and fluid access into the bypass channel.