Sealing Device for Rough Bore Flexible Pipe Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating rough bore flexible pipelines are inefficient and costly, as they require valves or removing and recovering the pipe for maintenance or repair, which is not always practicable, especially due to the pipeline's rough inner textured surface.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sealing device that deploys a pressurized sealing solution with discrete elastomeric or polymeric particles through the carcass of the flexible pipe to create a seal between the sealing device and the internal pressure sheath, using a reservoir and anchoring mechanism to secure the device within the pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plugs are used to seal the pipe, then the sealing function is provided, but the rough inner textured surface of the flexible pipe prevents effective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a porous elastomeric or polymeric material as the sealing solution that can penetrate and conform to the rough inner textured surface of the flexible pipe. The porous nature of the sealing material allows it to adapt to the corrugated surface geometry, creating an effective seal where conventional smooth plugs would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution changes its physical parameters (viscosity, expandability, or setting properties) to transition from a flowable state during injection to a solidified state that provides the sealing function. This parameter change allows the material to fill the rough surface irregularities and then maintain a stable seal.
2Reliability
If valves are used to isolate the pipe section, then isolation is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from complex valve systems and implements it through a simpler plug-based solution. By using a self-contained sealing device with integrated sealing material, the system eliminates the need for external valve arrangements while achieving the same isolation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug is designed as a disposable or single-use component that provides isolation temporarily until repair or replacement is needed. This approach is more cost-effective than installing and maintaining complex valve systems, especially in remote or difficult-to-access pipeline locations.
3Ease of repair
If the pipe is removed and recovered to the surface for repair, then maintenance can be performed, but time and cost are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plug is deployed in advance to isolate the defective section before repair operations begin. This preliminary isolation action allows repair work to be conducted in-situ without the need to recover the entire pipe to the surface, significantly reducing downtime and operational disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug acts as an intermediary element that creates a isolated work zone within the pipeline. This intermediary structure enables maintenance personnel to work on the trapped pipe section in-situ, eliminating the need for time-consuming pipe recovery and surface-based repair operations.
4Reliability
If a sealing solution is forced through the carcass, then the seal is created, but the pressure and force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The use of porous elastomeric or polymeric sealing material reduces the pressure required to create an effective seal. The porous structure allows the material to be forced through the carcass at lower pressures while still achieving adequate penetration and sealing contact with the inner pressure sheath.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution uses composite elastomeric or polymeric materials that combine flexibility, porosity, and sealing properties. These composite materials can deform and conform to the pipe geometry under lower pressure conditions while maintaining seal integrity, compared to rigid or non-porous materials that would require higher forcing pressures.
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 quick, cost-effective, and time-efficient isolation of flexible pipes, allowing for in-situ maintenance or repair without recovering the pipe to the surface, and provides continuous monitoring of seal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
forcing a sealing solution through the carcass of the flexible pipe to seal the space between the sealing device and the internal pressure sheath of the flexible pipe
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention describes a method of isolating a section of rough bore flexible pipe (1), said method including the steps of deploying a sealing device (10) into the pipe to the required position and forcing a sealing solution through the carcass (2) of the flexible pipe to seal the space between the sealing device and the internal pressure sheath (5) of the flexible pipe and also a sealing device (10) for isolating a section of a rough bore flexible pipe, said apparatus comprising means for anchoring the sealing device in the pipe and means for sealing the device in the pipe, said sealing means comprising means for forcing a sealing solution through the carcass of the pipe.