Pipeline Robot Lubricant Pumping for Gas Leakage-Free Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face inefficiencies and environmental risks in removing accumulated lubricant from gas pipelines, as they either fail to completely remove the lubricant or require manual replacement of components, leading to increased resistance and safety concerns during natural gas transportation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a pipeline robot equipped with a lubricant sucking module and electro-hydraulic control system, including a lubricant position detection module and data acquisition system, to automatically detect and remove lubricant deposits through a lubricant channel in an umbilical cable, ensuring efficient and safe removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas lifting method is used to remove accumulated liquid, then liquid removal is achieved, but when liquid level is lower than airflow nozzle, gas rises and leaks polluting the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid seal chamber as an intermediary mechanism between the liquid accumulation chamber and the external environment. The liquid seal acts as a mediator that prevents gas from rising and leaking when liquid levels drop below the airflow nozzle, while still allowing liquid to be removed through the system. This resolves the contradiction by providing a barrier function that maintains environmental protection throughout the entire liquid removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gas flow path from direct contact with the external environment by routing it through a controlled liquid seal chamber. The gas is taken out of the direct leakage path and redirected through a sealed system where liquid levels control the sealing mechanism, preventing environmental pollution while maintaining liquid removal capability.
2Productivity
If vortex flow generator is used to improve gas carrying capacity, then gas flow efficiency is improved, but the device requires manual replacement and cannot remove accumulated liquid completely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically monitor its own operational status through sensors that detect liquid levels and flow conditions. The control system automatically activates the liquid removal mechanism when accumulation is detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention or replacement of the vortex flow generator, while maintaining improved gas carrying capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the vortex flow generator serves dual purposes: maintaining gas carrying capacity and enabling automatic liquid detection and removal. The integrated system combines flow generation, liquid detection, and liquid removal functions into a single universal device that addresses both productivity and ease of operation requirements.
3Extent of automation
If pipeline robot with pumping module is used to remove lubricant, then automation and efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the pipeline robot system: lubricant detection, lubricant pumping, and data transmission are combined in a single integrated platform. The robot body houses both the detection sensors and the pumping module, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity despite maintaining high automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies nesting by placing the pumping module and detection sensors inside the pipeline robot body. The detection module is nested within the robot structure, and the pumping mechanism is compactly integrated into the same housing, creating a space-efficient design that reduces external complexity while maintaining full automation functionality.
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 a highly automatic and efficient method for removing lubricant from gas pipelines, reducing the risk of gas leakage and improving the safety and efficiency of natural gas transportation by using a pipeline robot to detect and pump out lubricant deposits.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant position detection module (1) to detect a lubricant position in the pipeline based on detection signals
Implementation Method 2
a lubricant sucking module (2) to pump the lubricant in the pipeline through a lubricant channel in an umbilical cable (15)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for pumping lubricant in a gas transportation pipeline includes a pipeline robot and a control terminal system. The pipeline robot includes a lubricant position detection, module, a lubricant pumping module, an electro-hydraulic control system, a data acquisition and processing system, and a lubricant sucking port. The location at which the lubricant deposits can be detected online, and the lubricant staving in the gas transportation pipeline can be removed in real time. The system is highly automatic and efficient. Resistance against the natural as transportation is reduced effectively, the efficiency of transporting the natural gas is improved, and safety of transporting the natural gas is ensured.