CA2934720A1

CA2934720A1 - An apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve

Info

Publication number: CA2934720A1
Application number: CA2934720A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kevin Johnston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-07-04
Filing date: 2016-07-04
Publication date: 2018-01-04

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve has a fluid reservoir, a heater, a pump and an outlet line. The fluid reservoir contains a fluid to be heated by the heater. The heater is connected to the fluid reservoir for heating the fluid within the fluid reservoir to a predetermined temperature. The heater is controlled by a thermostat. The pump is provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pumping fluid out of the fluid reservoir and through the outlet line for injecting the fluid into the pipeline valve.

Description

TITLE
[0001] An Apparatus for Cleaning a Pipeline Valve FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present application relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning and de-icing pipeline valves.
BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0004] It is not uncommon in pipelines for sediment and hydrates to collect on the interior of pipelines over time. These sediments and hydrates can also collect in the control valves and emergency shutdown valves that are used in the operation and control of these pipelines, creating operational difficulties. In cold climates, these valves may also ice up, creating similar issues to what is seen with sediment and hydrate build up.
BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] There is provided an apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve that has a fluid reservoir for containing fluid to be heated. A heater is connected to the fluid reservoir for heating the fluid within the fluid reservoir to a predetermined temperature. The heater is controlled by a thermostat. A pump is provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pumping fluid out of the reservoir. An outlet line is connected to the pump for injection of fluid into the pipeline valve.

[0006] In one embodiment, the pump draws fluid from adjacent a bottom of the reservoir.

[0007] In another embodiment, an agitator is provided for mixing fluid in the fluid reservoir.
Temperature of the fluid in the fluid reservoir is more uniform with the use of an agitator. While many different types of agitators may be used, one example is the use of a bubbler which injects gas into the fluid reservoir from a gas source. The gas mixes fluid in the fluid reservoir.

[0008] In another embodiment, a valve shut off is positioned between the fluid reservoir and the pump. This valve can either be automated or manual.

[0009] In another embodiment, a circulating line is connected to the pump and the fluid reservoir to circulate fluid from the pump back to the fluid reservoir when it has not been injected into the pipeline valve. This helps to maintain the elevated fluid temperatures that are achieved when heating the fluid in the fluid reservoir.

[0010] Different types of fluid are used depending on what is being cleaned from the valve. Hydraulic oil, preferably with a viscosity around 22 cSt (centi-strokes) at 40 degrees Celsius may be used to clear debris, ice or hydrates from the valve. Propylene glycol may be used to clean ice and hydrates from the valve and may act as an inhibitor to help prevent additional build up in the future.

[0011] In another embodiment, fluid is pumped out of the reservoir at a rate of one half to one gallon per minute.

[0012] In another embodiment, the fluid is heated to between 115 ¨ 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature to be used is dependent upon the type of fluid used and what is being cleaned out of the valve.
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[0013] In another embodiment, the flow rate and volume are monitored as fluid travels through the outlet line. This is preferably done with the use of a flow rate totalizer positioned on the outlet line.

[0014] In another embodiment, the pipeline valve cleaning apparatus is mounted on a skid for portability. The skid is preferably an aluminum skid 53 inches long, 32 inches high and 29 inches wide. It will be understood that other suitable skids may be used.

[0015] There is also provided an apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve that has a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid to be heated. The fluid reservoir has an agitator for mixing fluid in the reservoir. A
heater is connected to the fluid reservoir for heating the fluid within the fluid reservoir to a predetermined temperature. The heater is controlled by a thermostat. A pump is provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pumping fluid out of a bottom of the fluid reservoir. The pump has a circulating line in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain elevated fluid temperatures for fluid being injected into the pipeline valve. An outlet line is connected to the pump for injection of fluid into the pipeline valve.

[0016] In one embodiment, the circulating line connects to a top of the fluid reservoir or adjacent the top of the fluid reservoir. Fluid that is returned to the fluid reservoir is reheated before being pumped out of the bottom of the fluid reservoir.

[0017] In another embodiment, the agitator is a bubbler which injects gas into the fluid reservoir from a gas source. The gas mixes fluid in the fluid reservoir.

[0018] In another embodiment, a valve shut off is positioned between the fluid reservoir and the pump. This valve can either be automated or manual.

[0019] Different types of fluid are used depending on what is being cleaned from the valve. Hydraulic oil, preferably with a viscosity around 22 cSt (centi-strokes) at 40 degrees Celsius may be used to clear debris, ice or hydrates from the valve. Propylene glycol may be used to clean ice and hydrates from the valve and may act as an inhibitor to help prevent additional build up in the future.

[0020] In another embodiment, fluid is pumped out of the reservoir at a rate of one half to one gallon per minute.

[0021] In another embodiment, the fluid is heated to between 115 ¨ 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature to be used is dependent upon the type of fluid used and what is being cleaned out of the valve.

[0022] In another embodiment, the flow rate and volume are monitored as fluid travels through the outlet line. This is preferably done with the use of a flow rate totalizer position on the outlet line.

[0023] In another embodiment, the pipeline valve cleaning apparatus is mounted on a skid for portability. The skid is preferably an aluminum skid 53 inches long, 32 inches high and 29 inches wide. It will be understood that other suitable skids may be used.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which references are made to the following drawings, in which numerical references denote like parts. The drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments shown.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a pipeline valve cleaning apparatus.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, in section, of a pipeline valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] A pipeline valve cleaning apparatus, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 2.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve 10 has a fluid reservoir 12 for containing a fluid to be heated. Fluid reservoir 12 is preferably of a size such as 25 gallons that allows for easier transportation of apparatus 10. Larger reservoirs may be used, however as reservoir 12 increases in size, it becomes more difficult to move apparatus 10. Smaller reservoirs may also be used, however as the size of reservoir 12 decreases, the amount of available heated fluid also decreases. A heater 14 is connected to fluid reservoir 12 for heating the fluid in fluid reservoir 12 to a predetermined temperature. It is preferred that the fluid in fluid reservoir 12 be heated to between 115 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, however different temperatures may be used. In the embodiment shown, heater 14 is a catalytic heater which is run using a propane source 38 and does not require electricity to use. This allows heater 14 to be used in locations where electricity is limited or unavailable. A person of skill will understand that different types of heaters may be used. It is preferably that heater 14 be an intrinsically safe heater that may be used in hazardous locations. Heater 14 is controlled by a thermostat 16.
Thermostat 16 may be mechanical, electrical or digital. In the embodiment shown, thermostat 16 is controlled by a thermocouple 18 which is in contact with fluid reservoir 12, however a person of skill will understand that different types of thermostats may be used.

[0029] A pump 20 is provided in fluid communication with fluid reservoir 12 for pumping fluid out of fluid reservoir 12. A flow rate of between half a gallon and a gallon of fluid per minute is pumped out of fluid reservoir 12. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that different flow rates may be used and that the flow rate may be dependent upon the severity of the build-up within the valve being treated. In a preferred embodiment, pump 20 is a pneumatic pump with a 24:1 ratio and a 2400 psi output. Pump 20 may be run on propane and may be run on the same propane source 38 as heater 14.
Pump 20 may be run on a secondary propane source 44 with a valve 46 between secondary propane source 44 and pump 20 for control of propane. A person of skill will understand that different types of pumps may be used and that pumps 20 may be run on alternative energy sources including but not limited to diesel, natural gas or electricity. While not required, a valve shut off 32 may be positioned between fluid reservoir 12 and pump 20. Valve shut off 32 may be either manual or automatic and can be used to stop and start the flow of fluid from fluid reservoir 12 as needed.
An outlet line 22 is connected to pump 20 for injection of fluids into a pipeline valve 24, shown in FIG. 2. While not required, it may be beneficial to measure flow rate and total volume traveling through outlet line 22.
This may be achieved through the use of a flow rate meter such as a flow rate totalizer 31 positioned on outlet line 22.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, outlet line 22 is attached to a service fitting 26 on a pipeline valve 24. Service fitting 26 provides fluid access to valve cavity 29 into which fluid can be injected.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, it is preferable that pump 20 draw fluid from adjacent a bottom 27 or from bottom 27 of fluid reservoir 12. This allows the majority of fluid from reservoir 12 to be pumped out of reservoir 12. It will be understood that fluid may be drawn from other locations on reservoir 12, however the capacity of useable fluid decreases as the height from where fluid is drawn by pump 20 is raised.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, an agitator 28 is provided for mixing fluid in the fluid reservoir 12.
The use of agitator 28 provides for more uniform heating within fluid reservoir 12. In the current embodiment, agitator 28 is a bubbler type agitator where gas is injected from a gas source 30 into fluid reservoir 12. Gas source 30 may be an air source or may be any other suitable gas, a person of skill will understand what types of gases are suitable for this purpose. A person of skill will understand that other types of agitators may be used. As can be seen, a valve 42 may be provided between gas source 30 and agitator 28 to control the flow of air to fluid reservoir 12.

[0033] In order to maintain elevated heat levels of fluid travelling through outlet line 22, it may be necessary to provide a circulating line 34 that connects pump 20 back to fluid reservoir 12. Circulating line 34 connects to a top 36 or adjacent top 36 of fluid reservoir 12.
Circulating line 34 may be used to circulate fluid when fluid is not travelling through outlet line 22. The circulation of fluid prevents the fluid from cooling dramatically when it leaves fluid reservoir 12. This is especially useful at cold temperatures when leaving apparatus 10 running. It is also beneficial when the flow of fluid into valve cavity 29 is less than the output volume of pump 20. A valve 40 may be positioned on circulating line 34 to allow or prevent fluid from circulating through circulating line 34.

[0034] Different types of fluid are used depending on what is being cleaned from the valve. Hydraulic oil, preferably with a viscosity around 22 cSt (centi-strokes) at 40 degrees Celsius may be used to clear debris, ice or hydrates from the valve. Propylene glycol may be used to clean ice and hydrates from the valve and may act as an inhibitor to help prevent additional build up in the future. A person of skill will understand that different types of fluids may be used to clean out the valve.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve 10 is mounted on a skid, not shown, for portability. The skid is preferably an aluminum skid 53 inches long, 32 inches high and 29 inches wide. It will be understood that other suitable skids may be used.
Skids of the size described fit easily into the bed of a small pickup truck, in an OHV trailer or may be slung under a helicopter for transport.

[0036] Any use herein of any terms describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0037] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A
reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0038] It will be apparent that changes may be made to the illustrative embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention. As such, the scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples and drawings described above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve, comprising:
a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid to be heated;
a heater connected to the fluid reservoir for heating the fluid within the fluid reservoir to a predetermined temperature, the heater being controlled by a thermostat;
a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pumping fluid out of the fluid reservoir; and an outlet line connected to the pump for injection of fluid into the pipeline valve.

2. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 1 wherein the pump draws fluid from adjacent a bottom of the reservoir.

3. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 1 or 2 further comprising an agitator for mixing fluid in the fluid reservoir.

4. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 3 wherein the agitator injects gas from a gas source into the fluid reservoir for mixing the fluid in the fluid reservoir.

5. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 4 further comprising a valve shut off between the fluid reservoir and the pump.

6. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 5 further comprising a circulating line connecting the pump to the fluid reservoir.

7. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 6 wherein the fluid is hydraulic oil.

8. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 7 wherein the hydraulic oil has a viscosity 22 of cSt at 40 degrees Celsius.

9. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 6 wherein the fluid is propylene glycol.

10. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 9 wherein fluid is pumped out of the reservoir at a rate of one half to one gallon per minute.

11. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 10 wherein the fluid is heated to between 115 ¨ 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

12. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 11 wherein a flow rate totalizer is positioned on the outlet line for monitoring flow rate and volume through the outlet line.

13. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 1 through 12 wherein the pipeline valve cleaning apparatus is mounted on a skid for portability.

14. An apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve, comprising:
a fluid reservoir for containing a fluid to be heated, the fluid reservoir having an agitator for mixing fluid in the reservoir;
a heater connected to the fluid reservoir for heating the fluid within the fluid reservoir to a predetermined temperature, the heater being controlled by a thermostat;
a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir for pumping fluid out of a bottom of the fluid reservoir, the pump having a circulating line in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain elevated fluid temperatures for fluid being injected into the pipeline valve; and an outlet line connected to the pump for injection of fluid into the pipeline valve.

15. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 14 wherein the circulating line connects to a top of the fluid reservoir.

16. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 14 wherein the circulating line connects adjacent a top of the fluid reservoir.

17. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 16 wherein the agitator injects gas from a gas source into the fluid reservoir for mixing the fluid in the fluid reservoir.

18. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 17 further comprising a valve shut off between the fluid reservoir and the pump.

19. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 18 wherein the fluid is hydraulic oil.

20. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of claim 18 wherein the hydraulic oil has a viscosity 22 of cSt at 40 degrees Celsius.

21. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 19 wherein the fluid is propylene glycol.

22.. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 21 wherein fluid is pumped out of the reservoir at a rate of one half to one gallon per minute.

23. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 22 wherein the fluid is heated to between 115 ¨ 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

24. The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 23 wherein a flow rate totalizer is positioned on the outlet line for monitoring flow rate and volume through the outlet line

25 The apparatus for cleaning a pipeline valve of any of claims 14 through 24 wherein the pipeline valve cleaning apparatus is mounted on a skid for portability.