EP0563554A1 - Method and installation for elimination of mercury from contaminated pipes and parts of installation, especially of mercury which comes from natural gas - Google Patents

Method and installation for elimination of mercury from contaminated pipes and parts of installation, especially of mercury which comes from natural gas Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0563554A1
EP0563554A1 EP93102309A EP93102309A EP0563554A1 EP 0563554 A1 EP0563554 A1 EP 0563554A1 EP 93102309 A EP93102309 A EP 93102309A EP 93102309 A EP93102309 A EP 93102309A EP 0563554 A1 EP0563554 A1 EP 0563554A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inert gas
pipe
mercury
tube
cleaned
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93102309A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0563554B1 (en
Inventor
Friedrich Dipl.-Ing. Schlemm
Hans Kaast
Siegfried Dr. Müssig
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BEB Erdgas und Erdol GmbH
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BEB Erdgas und Erdol GmbH
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Publication of EP0563554A1 publication Critical patent/EP0563554A1/en
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B7/00Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22BPRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B43/00Obtaining mercury
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B2230/00Other cleaning aspects applicable to all B08B range
    • B08B2230/01Cleaning with steam
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/0318Processes
    • Y10T137/0402Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
    • Y10T137/0419Fluid cleaning or flushing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to methods and plants for the removal of mercury from natural gas pipes and natural gas transport system parts for the processing and transportation of natural gas.
  • mercury vapors are also discharged from the natural gas deposits with the extracted natural gas, which are reflected in the pipes and plant parts as mercury.
  • Mercury vapors as a contaminant in natural gas only occur to a very small extent, with years of use of the natural gas pipelines mercury and possibly mercury compounds are found in such quantities that the pipes must not be melted down for environmental reasons when the pipelines are scrapped, because this melts down when they are melted down the ambient air in the form of vaporized mercury would sustainably poison the atmosphere.
  • the invention consists in that the line is broken up into pipe sections by cold cuts, that after each cut the pipe section is raised into an oblique or vertical position and the contents of the pipe section of solids and liquids are placed in a vessel placed under the lower pipe end can run out, that then both ends of the pipe section are closed by plugs and the pipe section is transported to an evaporation station, in which the pipe section is filled with inert gas into the plug, the pipe section filled with inert gas is heated and thereby splits existing mercury compounds and the existing mercury evaporates, and that the heated inert gas containing mercury vapor is transferred to a condenser in which the inert gas containing mercury vapor is cooled until the mercury precipitates out of the inert gas.
  • the procedure is carried out in such a way that the pipe section is previously evacuated for the inert gas filling in order to remove oxygen from the pipe section as far as possible.
  • Nitrogen is expediently used as the inert gas.
  • the inert gas filling is kept under negative pressure at least while the tube is being heated.
  • the tube piece is heated by heat brought in from outside to above the vaporization temperature of the mercury and then the inert gas filling of the tube is preferably carried out several times against mercury-free Inert gas changes in cycle operation and feeds the condenser.
  • the inert gas is moved through the tube many times in a circuit and is heated outside the tube to be cleaned before it is sucked out of the circuit and fed to the condenser.
  • An essentially U-shaped or C-shaped pipe arrangement is used for this purpose, between the ends of which the pipe to be cleaned is clamped and which has heating devices for the inert gas in its interior.
  • Such a heating device could also be accommodated inside the pipe to be cleaned.
  • the procedure is expediently such that the pipe is shut off on both sides of the pipe section to be cleaned, that the gases from the blocked pipe section are preferably evacuated via a cleaning device and replaced by inert gas so that the pipe is cut off in sections heated and flushed with the inert gas, preferably under reduced pressure, after which the mercury vapor present in the inert gas is removed by condensation.
  • the heating device is expediently mounted on a trolley which is moved along the natural gas line to be cleaned.
  • the procedure is expediently such that the inert gas is allowed to migrate in the pipe to be cleaned in the direction in which the heating device is moved. In this way it is achieved that mercury cannot precipitate again in the cleaned pipe section. You only need to heat a short piece of pipe intensively in this way.
  • the facility for the removal of mercury from contaminated Pipes and plant parts consist of an inert gas storage, a heating device , an evacuation device, a condenser and a suction device, which are connected to one another by pipes into which the pipe or the pipe part to be cleaned are inserted.
  • the heating device from an oven surrounding the pipe section to be cleaned, or from an inert gas heater to be inserted into the pipe section to be cleaned, or from an inert gas heater arranged outside the pipe section to be cleaned, or from a burner surrounding the pipe section to be cleaned or from a burner electric current or electromagnetic wave operated heating device. It is also possible to use superheated steam.
  • an inert gas ring line in which a device for inserting the pipe to be cleaned and the heating device are arranged and to which a stub line is arranged which leads to the condenser.
  • the spur line is also a ring line which is connected to the inert gas ring line at two points.
  • Pipes 2 to be cleaned are stored on bearing stands 1 and are closed at their ends by plugs 3 and lead into the connecting pieces 4 to which inert gas lines are connected.
  • the vacuum pump 7, via which the pipes are evacuated, is connected to the inert gas line 5 via a branch line 6.
  • the inert gas source 9 is connected via a spur line 8.
  • the stub lines 6, 8 can be connected to the inert gas line 5 by valves 10.
  • This natural gas line 5 is guided in a ring over a condenser 11, in which the mercury vapors are precipitated into liquid mercury.
  • In the ring line there is also a blower 12 with which the inert gas flow is circulated in the ring line 5. Heated the inert gas and the tubes 2 through a warm air oven 13, which is movable on rails 14 on the stand 1 packed with tubes 2.
  • two storage stands are provided, one is visible on the drawing, the warm air oven is driven over the other.
  • the inert gas is cooled to such a depth in the condenser 11 that the mercury precipitates.
  • the inert gas thus leaves the condenser 11 at a low temperature.
  • a heat exchanger 15, 16 is now used for this purpose, in the part 15 of which the temperature of the inert gas entering the condenser 11 is cooled down, while in the heat exchanger part 16 the heat released in the heat exchanger part 15 is added again to the inert gas leaving the condenser when it is cooled.
  • the heat exchanger part 16 is followed by a heating device 17.
  • valves can be operated 18,19,20,21 provided.
  • the valves 20 and 21 By opening the valves 20, 21, the right workplace is connected to the inert gas ring line 5 connected.
  • the valves 18 and 19 are closed, so that no more inert gas can flow through the pipes at the other work station.
  • valves 18, 19 are closed, the pipes are allowed to cool first, the plugs 3 are then removed on both sides, the treated pipes are removed and replaced by pipes to be treated, these are closed by the plugs 3 and thus prepared the next operation, which is initiated by closing the valves 20, 21, opening the valves 18, 19 and pushing the warm air oven 13 over the work station with the valves 18, 19 open.
  • the tubes 2 are not heated from the outside with a warm air oven, but from the inside by means of a strongly heated inert gas.
  • two stacks I, II are provided, which are mutually subjected to the treatment. If batch I is treated with hot inert gas, the tubes of batch II cool down and are exchanged for tubes to be treated. Valves 18, 19, 20, 21 are also provided here in order to introduce only one tube stack into the treatment process at a time.
  • This treatment method of heating from the inside by the inert gas has the advantage that all mercury has already evaporated when the outer wall of tube 2 exceeds the vaporization temperature of mercury.
  • This method can be carried out in an energetically favorable manner if the pipeline system is in two circles is divided: a circle with the pipe 41 leading to the stack, the pipe 42 coming from the stack and a pipe 40 connecting these two pipes, in which a heating device 38 and a fan 22 are provided.
  • a second pipe circuit 23 runs parallel to the pipe 20 and can be connected to the two ends of the line 40 via valves 24.
  • the condenser 11, the blower 12 and the heat exchanger 15, 16 are located in this second pipe circuit 23.
  • an inert gas source 9 and a vacuum pump 7 are connected to the pipe network.
  • a valve 25 is used to shut off line 40.
  • the lines 40, 23 are operated alternately, ie when the line 40 is closed by the valve 25, the valves 24 are open, while the valve 25 is open when the valves 24 are closed.
  • This device works as follows: When the valve 25 is open and the valves 24 are closed, the system is emptied of air by the vacuum pump 7 with the valve 10 open, preferably via cleaning devices. At the same time, when the valve 10 is open, inert gas is introduced into the line from the inert gas source 9 until all air is replaced by inert gas. The inert gas heater 38 is then switched on. The blower 22 presses the hot inert gas into the pipes 2 to be cleaned. The inert gas emerges from the pipes via line 19 and arrives again through the opened valve 25 Heating device 38. This process is continued until the outside temperature of the tubes 2 has exceeded the vaporization temperature of mercury. The inert gas is thus pumped in constant circulation through the pipes and through the heating device in a constant cycle.
  • the heating device 38 is stopped and the valve 25 is closed, but the valves 24 are opened.
  • the hot inert gas flows through the heat exchanger part 15 into the condenser 11.
  • the vaporous mercury condenses as a liquid.
  • the cooled inert gas is sucked in by the blower 12 and pressed through the heat exchanger part 16.
  • the inert gas is heated again and returns to the pipes 2 to be cleaned in the circuit through line 41. This process can be carried out repeatedly.
  • the pipe 2 to be treated is also closed with a plug 3.
  • These plugs carry connecting pieces 26 for the inert gas line 5.
  • the blower 12, the heat exchanger 15, 16 and a heating device 17 are arranged.
  • the vacuum pump 7 and the inert gas source 9 are also connected to this line.
  • the heater 17 is of low power. This is because the main part of the heating is supplied by a pipe 3 installed in the plug 3 protruding heating device 27.
  • the tube 2 is placed on foundations 28.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example in which an underground gas line 29 treats becomes.
  • an assembly pit 30 has been excavated from the ground, the natural gas line 29 is drilled at two points and provided with tapping clips 31.
  • These tapping clamps 31 have shut-off devices, for example shut-off bubbles, installed in the interior of the natural gas line 29.
  • These tapping clamps 31 have connecting pieces 32 for a hose line 33, which is led to the inert gas treatment chamber 34 on the vehicle 35.
  • the condenser, blower, heat exchanger, heating device, vacuum pump and inert gas source are accommodated.
  • the natural gas line 29 is heated by a heat source mounted on a vehicle 36.
  • the direction of flow of the inert gas indicated by an arrow on the natural gas line is the same as the direction of travel of the vehicle 36 with the heat source 37.

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and installations for eliminating mercury from natural-gas piping and natural-gas transfer installation sections for processing and transferring natural gas. The invention comprises breaking down the pipeline into pipe sections by cold cutting, lifting the cut pipe section, after each cut, into a slanting or vertical position and allowing the liquid and solid pipe contents to drain into a vessel positioned below the lower pipe end, then sealing both pipe ends with plugs and transferring the pipe to a vaporisation station, in which the pipe is filled with inert gas via short pieces of pipe in the plugs, heating the pipe filled with inert gas and in the process cracking any mercury compounds present and evaporating any mercury present, and passing the heated inert gas, which contains mercury vapour, to a condenser in which the mercury vapour-containing inert gas is cooled so far as to cause the mercury to precipitate from the inert gas. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft Verfahren und Anlagen zur Entfernung von Quecksilber aus Erdgasleitungsrohren und Erdgastransportanlagenteilen für die Aufbereitung und den Transport von Erdgas.The invention relates to methods and plants for the removal of mercury from natural gas pipes and natural gas transport system parts for the processing and transportation of natural gas.

Es hat sich gezeigt, daß mit dem geförderten Erdgas aus Erdgaslagerstätten auch Quecksilberdämpfe ausgetragen werden, welche sich in den Rohren unds Anlagenteilen als Quecksilber niederschlagen. Quecksilberdämpfe als Verunreinigung im Erdgas treten nur in äußerst geringem Umfang auf, bei einer jahrelangen Benutzung der Erdgasleitungen findet sich Quecksilber und evtl. Quecksilberverbindungen in solchen Mengen, daß bei einer Verschrottung der Leitungen die Rohre aus Umweltschutzgründen nicht eingeschmolzen werden dürfen, weil das beim Einschmelzen in die Umgebungsluft dampfförmig aufsteigende Quecksilber die Atmosphäre nachhaltig vergiften würde.It has been shown that mercury vapors are also discharged from the natural gas deposits with the extracted natural gas, which are reflected in the pipes and plant parts as mercury. Mercury vapors as a contaminant in natural gas only occur to a very small extent, with years of use of the natural gas pipelines mercury and possibly mercury compounds are found in such quantities that the pipes must not be melted down for environmental reasons when the pipelines are scrapped, because this melts down when they are melted down the ambient air in the form of vaporized mercury would sustainably poison the atmosphere.

Daher besteht dort, wo nicht von vornherein beim Eintritt der Rohgase in die Anlagen Quecksilberdämpfe ausgefiltert wurden, die Notwendigkeit, Rohrleitungen und Anlagenteile zu reinigen. Diese Notwendigkeit tritt nicht nur dort auf, wo alte Erdgasleitungen zu entsorgen sind, sondern auch dort, wo noch brauchbare Erdgasleitungen weiterverwendet werden sollen. Denn überall dort, wo an diesen Leitungen gearbeitet wird, sei es daß Abgangsstutzen eingeschweißt werden sollen, sei es, daß sonstige Reparaturarbeiten ausgeführt werden müssen, immer besteht die Gefahr von Gesundheitsschädigungen für die Personen vor Ort und die Gefahr von Umweltverschmutzungen.Therefore, where mercury vapors have not been filtered out from the start when the raw gases have entered the plants, there is a need to clean the pipes and plant parts. This need arises not only where old natural gas lines have to be disposed of, but also where useful natural gas lines are to be used again. Because wherever work is being done on these lines, whether it is to weld in outlet connections or whether other repair work has to be carried out, there is always the risk of health damage to the people on site and the risk of environmental pollution.

Es ist daher die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, Möglichkeiten zur Entfernung von Quecksilber und Quecksilberverbindungen aus kontaminierten Rohren und Anlagenteilen zu schaffen, die mit möglichst geringem Aufwand und einfachen Mitteln durchgeführt werden können.It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide possibilities for removing mercury and mercury compounds from contaminated pipes and plant parts, which can be carried out with as little effort and simple means as possible.

Die Erfindung besteht darin, daß man die Leitung durch kalt ausgeführte Schnitte in Rohrstücke zerlegt, daß man nach jedem Schnitt das abgeschnittene Rohrstück in eine Schräg- oder Vertikallage anhebt und den Inhalt des Rohrstückes an Fest- und Flüssigstoffen in ein unter das niedrigere Rohrende gestelltes Gefäß auslaufen läßt, daß man dann beide Enden des Rohrstückes durch Stopfen verschließt und das Rohrstück zu einer Ausdampfstation transportiert, in der man durch Leitungsstutzen in den Stopfen das Rohrstück mit Inertgas füllt, das mit Inertgas gefüllte Rohrstück erhitzt und dabei vorhandene Quecksilberverbindungen spaltet und das vorhandene Quecksilber verdampft, und daß man das erhitzte, Quecksilberdampf enthaltende Inertgas in einen Kondensator überführt, in dem man das quecksilberdampfhaltige Inertgas so weit abkühlt, bis das Quecksilber aus dem Inertgas ausfällt.The invention consists in that the line is broken up into pipe sections by cold cuts, that after each cut the pipe section is raised into an oblique or vertical position and the contents of the pipe section of solids and liquids are placed in a vessel placed under the lower pipe end can run out, that then both ends of the pipe section are closed by plugs and the pipe section is transported to an evaporation station, in which the pipe section is filled with inert gas into the plug, the pipe section filled with inert gas is heated and thereby splits existing mercury compounds and the existing mercury evaporates, and that the heated inert gas containing mercury vapor is transferred to a condenser in which the inert gas containing mercury vapor is cooled until the mercury precipitates out of the inert gas.

Mit diesem Verfahren gelingt es, Quecksilber aus den Erdgasleitungsrohren und Anlagenteilen bis auf nicht mehr nachweisbare Reste zu entfernen und das Quecksilber als Rohstoff zu gewinnen.With this process it is possible to remove mercury from the natural gas piping and plant parts, down to undetectable residues, and to obtain the mercury as a raw material.

Bei der Ausführung dieses Verfahrens ist es zweckmäßig, wenn man die Inertgasfüllung des Rohres mehrmals wechselt, vorzugsweise im Kreislaufbetrieb. Dann geht man sicher, daß auch der letzte Rest von Quecksilberdampf aus dem Rohr ausgetragen wird.When carrying out this process, it is expedient if the inert gas filling of the tube is changed several times, preferably in a cycle. Then you make sure that the last remaining mercury vapor is also discharged from the pipe.

Vorteilhaft ist es, wenn man bei der Durchführung des Verfahrens so vorgeht, daß man für die Inertgasfüllung das Rohrstück zuvor evakuiert, um so weit wie möglich Sauerstoff aus dem Rohrstück zu entfernen. Als Inertgas benutzt man zweckmäßigerweise Stickstoff. Energetisch ist es vorteilhaft für die Durchführung des Verfahrens, daß man zumindest während der Erhitzung des Rohres die Inertgasfüllung unter Unterdruck hält.It is advantageous if the procedure is carried out in such a way that the pipe section is previously evacuated for the inert gas filling in order to remove oxygen from the pipe section as far as possible. Nitrogen is expediently used as the inert gas. In terms of energy, it is advantageous for the implementation of the method that the inert gas filling is kept under negative pressure at least while the tube is being heated.

Zur Durchführung des Verfahrens gibt es die Möglichkeit, daß man das Rohrstück durch von außen herangetragene Wärme bis über die Verdampfungstemperatur des Quecksilbers erhitzt und dann die Inertgasfüllung des Rohres vorzugsweise mehrmals gegen quecksilberdampffreies Inertgas im Kreislaufbetrieb wechselt und dem Kondensator zuführt.To carry out the process, there is the possibility that the tube piece is heated by heat brought in from outside to above the vaporization temperature of the mercury and then the inert gas filling of the tube is preferably carried out several times against mercury-free Inert gas changes in cycle operation and feeds the condenser.

Es besteht aber auch die Möglichkeit, daß man das Rohrstück durch eingebrachtes heißes Inertgas bis über die Verdampfungstemperatur erhitzt, also die Wärme mit dem Inertgas von innnen her dem Rohr zuführt, was den Vorteil hat, daß die Rohrinnenwandung, an der das auszutragende Quecksilber befindlich ist, stärker erhitzt wird als die Rohraußenwandung.However, there is also the possibility that the pipe section is heated to above the evaporation temperature by introduced hot inert gas, that is to say supplies the heat with the inert gas from the inside to the pipe, which has the advantage that the inner wall of the pipe on which the mercury to be discharged is located , is heated more than the outer tube wall.

Bei dieser Ausführungsform des Verfahrens ist es zweckmäßig, wenn man das Inertgas in einem Kreislauf viele Male durch das Rohr bewegt und es dabei außerhalb des zu reinigenden Rohres erhitzt, bevor man es aus dem Kreislauf absaugt und dem Kondensator zuführt. Hierzu dient eine im wesentlichen U- oder C-förmige Rohrleitungsanordnung, zwischen deren Enden das zu reinigende Rohr eingespannt wird und die in ihrem Inneren Erhitzungsvorrichtungen für das Inertgas aufweist.In this embodiment of the method, it is expedient if the inert gas is moved through the tube many times in a circuit and is heated outside the tube to be cleaned before it is sucked out of the circuit and fed to the condenser. An essentially U-shaped or C-shaped pipe arrangement is used for this purpose, between the ends of which the pipe to be cleaned is clamped and which has heating devices for the inert gas in its interior.

Eine solche Erhitzungsvorrichtung könnte auch im Inneren des zu reinigenden Rohres untergebracht werden.Such a heating device could also be accommodated inside the pipe to be cleaned.

Die auf diese Weise gereinigten Rohrstücke können je nach ihrem Erhaltungszustand entweder wiederverwendet werden oder problemlos als Schrott eingeschmolzen werden.The pipe sections cleaned in this way can either be reused or melted down as scrap, depending on their condition.

Will man vorhandene Erdgasleitungen für eine Weiterbenutzung reinigen ohne daß man die Leitung auseinanderschneidet, geht man zweckmäßigerweise so vor, daß man die Rohrleitung zu beiden Seiten der zu reinigenden Rohrstrecke absperrt, daß man die Gase aus der abgesperrten Rohrstrecke vorzugsweise über eine Reinigungsvorrichtung evakuiert und durch Inertgas ersetzt, daß man das Rohr abschnittweise erhitzt und dabei mit dem Inertgas vorzugsweise unter Unterdruck spült, wonach man dem Inertgas den in ihm vorhandenen Quecksilberdampf durch Kondensation entzieht. Zweckmäßigerweise wird hierbei die Erhitzungsvorrichtung auf einem Wagen montiert, der entlang der zu reinigenden Erdgasleitung bewegt wird.If you want existing gas pipelines for further use clean without cutting the line apart, the procedure is expediently such that the pipe is shut off on both sides of the pipe section to be cleaned, that the gases from the blocked pipe section are preferably evacuated via a cleaning device and replaced by inert gas so that the pipe is cut off in sections heated and flushed with the inert gas, preferably under reduced pressure, after which the mercury vapor present in the inert gas is removed by condensation. In this case, the heating device is expediently mounted on a trolley which is moved along the natural gas line to be cleaned.

Bei der Ausführung dieses Verfahrens geht man zweckmäßigerweise so vor, daß man das Inertgas in derjenigen Richtung im zu reinigenden Rohr wandern läßt, in der man die Erwärmungsvorrichtung bewegt. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, daß im gereinigten Rohrstück sich nicht Quecksilber erneut niederschlagen kann. Man braucht auf diese Weise auch immer nur ein kurzes Rohrstück intensiv zu erwärmen.When carrying out this method, the procedure is expediently such that the inert gas is allowed to migrate in the pipe to be cleaned in the direction in which the heating device is moved. In this way it is achieved that mercury cannot precipitate again in the cleaned pipe section. You only need to heat a short piece of pipe intensively in this way.

In allen Fällen ist es zweckmäßig, wenn man vor der Wärmebehandlung die Rohrisolierung entfernt und eine neue nach der Behandlung wieder aufbringt, wenn das Rohr bzw die Rohrstücke erdverlegt weiterverwendet werden sollen.In all cases, it is advisable to remove the pipe insulation before the heat treatment and to re-apply a new one after the treatment if the pipe or the pipe sections are to be used underground.

Die Anlage zur Entfernung von Quecksilber aus kontaminierten Rohren und Anlagenteilen besteht aus einem Inertgaslager, einer Erhitzungsvorrichtung, einer Evakuierungsvorrichtung, einem Kondensator und einer Saugvorrichtung, die durch Rohrleitungen miteinander verbunden sind, in die das zu reinigende Rohr oder der Rohrleitungsteil eingefügt sind.The facility for the removal of mercury from contaminated Pipes and plant parts consist of an inert gas storage, a heating device , an evacuation device, a condenser and a suction device, which are connected to one another by pipes into which the pipe or the pipe part to be cleaned are inserted.

Zweckmäßig ist es, wenn die Erhitzungsvorrichtung aus einem das zu reinigende Rohrstück umgebenden Ofen, oder aus einem in das zu reinigende Rohrstück einzubringenden Inertgaserhitzer, oder aus einem außerhalb des zu reinigenden Rohrstückes angeordneten Inertgaserhitzer oder aus einem das zu reinigende Rohrstück umgebenden Brenner oder aus einer mit elektrischem Strom oder elektromagnetischen Wellen betriebenen Erhitzungsvorrichtung besteht. Möglich ist auch die Verwendung von überhitztem Dampf.It is useful if the heating device from an oven surrounding the pipe section to be cleaned, or from an inert gas heater to be inserted into the pipe section to be cleaned, or from an inert gas heater arranged outside the pipe section to be cleaned, or from a burner surrounding the pipe section to be cleaned or from a burner electric current or electromagnetic wave operated heating device. It is also possible to use superheated steam.

Zweckmäßig ist die Verwendung einer Inertgasringleitung, in welcher eine Vorrichtung zum Einfügen des zu reinigenden Rohres und die Erhitzungsvorrichtung angeordnet sind und an die eine Stichleitung angeordnet ist, die zum Kondensator führt.It is expedient to use an inert gas ring line in which a device for inserting the pipe to be cleaned and the heating device are arranged and to which a stub line is arranged which leads to the condenser.

Hierbei ist es zweckmäßig, wenn die Stichleitung ebenfalls eine Ringleitung ist, welche an zwei Stellen an die Inertgasringleitung angeschlossen ist.It is expedient here if the spur line is also a ring line which is connected to the inert gas ring line at two points.

Das Wesen der vorliegenden Erfindung ist nachstehend anhand von in der Zeichnung schematisch dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Reinigungsanlage mit einem verschiebbaren Ofen für aus der Leitung herausgeschnittene Rohrstücke,
Fig. 2
eine Reinigungsanlage, in der die Rohrstücke von innen her durch erwärmtes Inertmedium geheizt werden,
Fig. 3
eine Reinigungsanlage, bei der das zu reinigende Rohrstück mit einem Brenner von innen her geheizt wird,
Fig. 4
eine Anlage zur Reinigung von verlegten Erdgasleitungen.
The essence of the present invention is shown below with reference to schematically shown in the drawing Embodiments explained in more detail. Show it:
Fig. 1
a cleaning system with a sliding oven for pipe sections cut out of the line,
Fig. 2
a cleaning system in which the pipe sections are heated from the inside by heated inert medium,
Fig. 3
a cleaning system in which the pipe section to be cleaned is heated from the inside with a burner,
Fig. 4
a system for cleaning installed natural gas pipelines.

Auf Lagerständern 1 sind zu reinigende Rohre 2 gelagert, welche an ihren Enden durch Stopfen 3 verschlossen sind, in die Anschlußstutzen 4 führen, an welche Inertgasleitungen angeschlossen sind. An die Inertgasleitung 5 ist über eine Stichleitung 6 die Vakuumpumpe 7 angeschlossen, über welche die Rohre evakuiert werden. Über eine Stichleitung 8 ist die Inertgasquelle 9 angeschlossen. Durch Ventile 10 sind die Stichleitungen 6,8 mit der Inertgasleitung 5 verbindbar. Diese Erdgasleitung 5 ist ringförmig über einen Kondensator 11 geführt, in welchem die Quecksilberdämpfe zu flüssigem Quecksilber niedergeschlagen werden. In der Ringleitung befindet sich weiter ein Gebläse 12, mit dem der Inertgasstrom in der Ringleitung 5 zirkuliert wird. Erhitzt werden das Inertgas und die Rohre 2 durch einen Warmluftofen 13, der auf Gleisen 14 über die mit Rohren 2 bepackten Ständer 1 fahrbar ist. Im gezeichneten Ausführungsbeispiel sind zwei Lagerständer vorgesehen, einer ist auf der Zeichnung sichtbar, über den anderen wird der Warmluftofen gefahren.Pipes 2 to be cleaned are stored on bearing stands 1 and are closed at their ends by plugs 3 and lead into the connecting pieces 4 to which inert gas lines are connected. The vacuum pump 7, via which the pipes are evacuated, is connected to the inert gas line 5 via a branch line 6. The inert gas source 9 is connected via a spur line 8. The stub lines 6, 8 can be connected to the inert gas line 5 by valves 10. This natural gas line 5 is guided in a ring over a condenser 11, in which the mercury vapors are precipitated into liquid mercury. In the ring line there is also a blower 12 with which the inert gas flow is circulated in the ring line 5. Heated the inert gas and the tubes 2 through a warm air oven 13, which is movable on rails 14 on the stand 1 packed with tubes 2. In the illustrated embodiment, two storage stands are provided, one is visible on the drawing, the warm air oven is driven over the other.

Im Kondensator 11 wird das Inertgas so tief abgekühlt, daß das Quecksilber ausfällt. Das Inertgas verläßt somit den Kondensator 11 mit einer niedrigen Temperatur. Es ist zweckmäßig, hinter den Kondensator 11 das Inertgas wieder zu erhitzen, damit es mit einer Temperatur, die höher als die Verdampfungstemperatur von Quecksilber ist, wieder in das Rohr 2 eintrtt. Hierzu dient nun ein Wärmetauscher 15, 16, in dessen Teil 15 die Temperatur des in den Kondensator 11 eintretenden Inertgases heruntergekühlt wird, während im Wärmetauscherteil 16 die im Wärmertauscherteil 15 freigewordene Wärme dem den Kondensator gekühlt verlassenden Inertgas wieder zuge-fügt wird. Da dieses nur in einem begrenzten Maße möglich ist, ist dem Wärmetauscherteil 16 eine Erhitzungsvorrichtung 17 nachgeschaltet. Um die beiden mit Ständern 1 und Anschlußstutzen 4 ausgestatteten Arbeitsplätze, auf denen jeweils mehrere Rohre 2 gleichzeitig behandelt werden, wechselseitig benutzen zu können, indem man entweder über den einen Arbeitsplatz oder über den anderen Arbeitsplatz den Warmluftofen 13 schiebt, betreiben zu können, sind Ventile 18,19,20,21 vorgesehen. Durch Öffnen der Ventile 20, 21 wird der rechte Arbeitsplatz an die Inertgasringleitung 5 angeschlossen. Gleichzeitig mit dem Öffnen der Ventile 20 und 21 werden die Ventile 18 und 19 geschlossen, damit durch die Rohre auf dem anderen Arbeitsplatz kein Inertgas mehr fließen kann. Dort, wo die Ventile 18,19 geschlossen sind, läßt man die Rohre erst einmal abkühlen, entfernt dann zu beiden Seiten die Stopfen 3, trägt die behandelten Rohre aus und ersetzt sie durch zu behandelnde Rohre, verschließt diese durch die Stopfen 3 und bereitet so den nächsten Arbeitsgang vor, der dadurch eingeleitet wird, daß die Ventile 20,21 geschlossen, die Ventile 18,19 geöffnet und der Warmluftofen 13 über den Arbeitsplatz mit den geöffneten Ventilen 18,19 geschoben wird.The inert gas is cooled to such a depth in the condenser 11 that the mercury precipitates. The inert gas thus leaves the condenser 11 at a low temperature. It is expedient to reheat the inert gas behind the condenser 11 so that it re-enters the tube 2 at a temperature which is higher than the vaporization temperature of mercury. A heat exchanger 15, 16 is now used for this purpose, in the part 15 of which the temperature of the inert gas entering the condenser 11 is cooled down, while in the heat exchanger part 16 the heat released in the heat exchanger part 15 is added again to the inert gas leaving the condenser when it is cooled. Since this is only possible to a limited extent, the heat exchanger part 16 is followed by a heating device 17. In order to be able to use the two workstations equipped with stands 1 and connecting pieces 4, on which several pipes 2 are treated at the same time, by pushing the hot air oven 13 either over one workstation or over the other workstation, valves can be operated 18,19,20,21 provided. By opening the valves 20, 21, the right workplace is connected to the inert gas ring line 5 connected. Simultaneously with the opening of the valves 20 and 21, the valves 18 and 19 are closed, so that no more inert gas can flow through the pipes at the other work station. Where the valves 18, 19 are closed, the pipes are allowed to cool first, the plugs 3 are then removed on both sides, the treated pipes are removed and replaced by pipes to be treated, these are closed by the plugs 3 and thus prepared the next operation, which is initiated by closing the valves 20, 21, opening the valves 18, 19 and pushing the warm air oven 13 over the work station with the valves 18, 19 open.

Im Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 2 werden die Rohre 2 nicht von außen mit einem Warmluftofen erhitzt, sondern von innen durch stark erhitztes Inertgas. Auch hier sind zwei Stapel I, II vorgesehen, die wechselseitig der Behandlung unterworfen werden. Wird Stapel I mit heißem Inertgas behandelt, kühlen die Rohre des Stapels II aus und werden gegen zu behandelnde Rohre ausgetauscht. Auch hier sind Ventile 18,19,20,21 vorgesehen, um jeweils nur einen Rohrstapel in den Behandlungsprozeß einzubringen. Dieses Behandlungsverfahren der Beheizung von innen her durch das Inertgas hat den Vorteil, daß sämtliches Quecksilber bereits verdampft ist, wenn die Außenwandung des Rohres 2 die Verdampfungstemperatur von Quecksilber überschreitet. Energetisch günstig läßt sich dieses Verfahren dann ausführen, wenn das Rohrleitungssystem in zwei Kreise unterteilt ist: einen Kreis mit dem zum Stapel führenden Rohr 41, dem vom Stapel kommenden Rohr 42 und einem diese beiden Rohre verbindenden Rohr 40, in welchem eine Heizvorrichtung 38 und ein Gebläse 22 vorgesehen sind. Ein zweiter Rohrkreis 23 verläuft parallel zum Rohr 20 und ist über Ventile 24 an die beiden Enden der Leitung 40 anschließbar. In diesem zweiten Rohrkreis 23 befindet sich der Kondensator 11, das Gebläse 12 und der Wärmetauscher 15, 16. Auch hier sind eine Inertgasquelle 9 und eine Vakuumpumpe 7 an das Rohrleitungsnetz angeschlossen. Ein Ventil 25 wird für die Absperrung der Leitung 40 benutzt. Die Leitungen 40,23 werden wechselseitig betrieben, d.h. wenn die Leitung 40 durch das Ventil 25 verschlossen ist, sind die Ventile 24 geöffnet, während das Ventil 25 geöffnet ist, wenn die Ventile 24 geschlossen sind.In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, the tubes 2 are not heated from the outside with a warm air oven, but from the inside by means of a strongly heated inert gas. Here too, two stacks I, II are provided, which are mutually subjected to the treatment. If batch I is treated with hot inert gas, the tubes of batch II cool down and are exchanged for tubes to be treated. Valves 18, 19, 20, 21 are also provided here in order to introduce only one tube stack into the treatment process at a time. This treatment method of heating from the inside by the inert gas has the advantage that all mercury has already evaporated when the outer wall of tube 2 exceeds the vaporization temperature of mercury. This method can be carried out in an energetically favorable manner if the pipeline system is in two circles is divided: a circle with the pipe 41 leading to the stack, the pipe 42 coming from the stack and a pipe 40 connecting these two pipes, in which a heating device 38 and a fan 22 are provided. A second pipe circuit 23 runs parallel to the pipe 20 and can be connected to the two ends of the line 40 via valves 24. The condenser 11, the blower 12 and the heat exchanger 15, 16 are located in this second pipe circuit 23. Here too, an inert gas source 9 and a vacuum pump 7 are connected to the pipe network. A valve 25 is used to shut off line 40. The lines 40, 23 are operated alternately, ie when the line 40 is closed by the valve 25, the valves 24 are open, while the valve 25 is open when the valves 24 are closed.

Diese Vorrichtung arbeitet folgendermaßen:
Bei geöffnetem Ventil 25 und geschlossenen Ventilen 24 wird die Anlage durch die Vakuumpumpe 7 bei geöffnetem Ventil 10 von Luft vorzugsweise über Reinigungsvorrichtungen entleert, gleichzeitig wird bei geöffnetem Ventil 10 aus der Inertgasquelle 9 Inertgas in die Leitung eingeführt, bis alle Luft durch Inertgas ersetzt ist. Sodann wird die Inertgasbeheizung 38 eingeschaltet. Das Gebläse 22 drückt das heiße Inertgas in die zu reinigenden Rohre 2. Über die Leitung 19 tritt das Inertgas aus den Rohren wieder aus und gelangt wieder durch das geöffnete Ventil 25 zur Beheizungsvorrichtung 38. Dieser Vorgang wird solange fortgesetzt, bis die Außentemperatur der Rohre 2 die Verdampfungstemperatur von Quecksilber überschritten hat. Das Inertgas wird somit in ständigem Umlauf durch die Rohre und durch die Beheizungsvorrichtung im ständigen Kreislauf gepumpt. Ist an der Außenseite der Rohre die Verdampfungstemperatur von Quecksilber überschritten, wird die Beheizungsvorrichtung 38 stillgesetzt und das Ventil 25 geschlossen, hingegen die Ventile 24 geöffnet. Nunmehr strömt in einem Kreislauf, gedrückt von dem Gebläse 12, das heiße Inertgas durch den Wärmetauscherteil 15 in den Kondensator 11. Dort schlägt sich das dampfförmige Quecksilber als Flüssigkeit nieder. Das gekühlte Inertgas wird vom Gebläse 12 angesaugt und durch den Wärmetauscherteil 16 gedrückt. Hier wird das Inertgas erneut erwärmt und gelangt im Kreislauf durch die Leitung 41 wieder in die zu reinigenden Rohre 2. Dieser Vorgang kann wiederholt ausgeführt werden.
This device works as follows:
When the valve 25 is open and the valves 24 are closed, the system is emptied of air by the vacuum pump 7 with the valve 10 open, preferably via cleaning devices. At the same time, when the valve 10 is open, inert gas is introduced into the line from the inert gas source 9 until all air is replaced by inert gas. The inert gas heater 38 is then switched on. The blower 22 presses the hot inert gas into the pipes 2 to be cleaned. The inert gas emerges from the pipes via line 19 and arrives again through the opened valve 25 Heating device 38. This process is continued until the outside temperature of the tubes 2 has exceeded the vaporization temperature of mercury. The inert gas is thus pumped in constant circulation through the pipes and through the heating device in a constant cycle. If the vaporization temperature of mercury on the outside of the tubes is exceeded, the heating device 38 is stopped and the valve 25 is closed, but the valves 24 are opened. Now, in a circuit, pressed by the blower 12, the hot inert gas flows through the heat exchanger part 15 into the condenser 11. There, the vaporous mercury condenses as a liquid. The cooled inert gas is sucked in by the blower 12 and pressed through the heat exchanger part 16. Here, the inert gas is heated again and returns to the pipes 2 to be cleaned in the circuit through line 41. This process can be carried out repeatedly.

Im Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 3 ist das zu behandelnde Rohr 2 ebenfalls mit Stopfen 3 verschlossen. Diese Stopfen tragen Anschlußstutzen 26 für die Inertgasleitung 5. In dieser sind wiederum der Kondensator 11, das Gebläse 12, der Wärmetauscher 15, 16 und eine Erhitzungsvorrichtung 17 angeordnet. Ebenfalls ist die Vakuumpumpe 7 und die Inertgasquelle 9 an diese Leitung angeschlossen. Die Erhitzungsvorrichtung 17 ist von nur geringer Leistung. Denn den Hauptteil der Erhitzung liefert eine in dem Stopfen 3 montierte, in das Rohr 2 hineinragende Erwärmungsvorrichtung 27. Für die Behandlung ist das Rohr 2 auf Fundamente 28 gesetzt.In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the pipe 2 to be treated is also closed with a plug 3. These plugs carry connecting pieces 26 for the inert gas line 5. In this condenser 11, the blower 12, the heat exchanger 15, 16 and a heating device 17 are arranged. The vacuum pump 7 and the inert gas source 9 are also connected to this line. The heater 17 is of low power. This is because the main part of the heating is supplied by a pipe 3 installed in the plug 3 protruding heating device 27. For the treatment, the tube 2 is placed on foundations 28.

Während für die Behandlung der Rohre 2 in den Ausführungsbeispielen der Fig. 1, 2 und 3 die Erdgasleitung in Stücke zerschnitten werden muß, wobei die Rohrstücke dann der Reinigung zugeführt werden können, zeigt Fig. 4 ein Beispiel, bei dem eine erdverlegte Erdgasleitung 29 behandelt wird. Hierzu ist eine Montagegrube 30 aus dem Erdboden ausgehoben worden, die Erdgasleitung 29 ist an zwei Stellen angebohrt und mit Anbohrschellen 31 versehen. Durch diese Anbohrschellen 31 sind Absperrgeräte, z.B. Absperrblasen, in das Innere der Erdgasleitung 29 eingebaut worden. Diese Anbohrschellen 31 weisen Anschlußstutzen 32 für eine Schlauchleitung 33 auf, welche zur Inertgasbehandlungskammer 34 auf dem Fahrzeug 35 geführt ist. In dieser Behandlungskammer 34 sind Kondensator, Gebläse, Wärmetauscher, Erhitzungsvorrichtung, Vakuumpumpe und Inertgasquelle untergebracht. Erhitzt wird die Erdgasleitung 29 durch einen auf einem Fahrzeug 36 montierten Wärmequelle. Die durch einen Pfeil auf der Erdgasleitung angegebene Strömungsrichtung des Inertgases ist die gleiche wie die Fahrrichtung des Fahrzeuges 36 mit der Wärmequelle 37.1, 2 and 3 for the treatment of the pipes 2, the natural gas line has to be cut into pieces, the pipe pieces then being able to be supplied for cleaning, FIG. 4 shows an example in which an underground gas line 29 treats becomes. For this purpose, an assembly pit 30 has been excavated from the ground, the natural gas line 29 is drilled at two points and provided with tapping clips 31. These tapping clamps 31 have shut-off devices, for example shut-off bubbles, installed in the interior of the natural gas line 29. These tapping clamps 31 have connecting pieces 32 for a hose line 33, which is led to the inert gas treatment chamber 34 on the vehicle 35. In this treatment chamber 34, the condenser, blower, heat exchanger, heating device, vacuum pump and inert gas source are accommodated. The natural gas line 29 is heated by a heat source mounted on a vehicle 36. The direction of flow of the inert gas indicated by an arrow on the natural gas line is the same as the direction of travel of the vehicle 36 with the heat source 37.

Liste der Bezugszeichen:List of reference numerals:

11
LagerständerStorage rack
22nd
Rohrpipe
33rd
StopfenPlug
44th
AnschlußstutzenConnecting piece
55
InertasleitungInert line
66
StichleitungBranch line
77
VakuumpumpeVacuum pump
88th
StichleitungBranch line
99
InertgasquelleInert gas source
1010th
VentilValve
1111
Kondensatorcapacitor
1212
Gebläsefan
1313
WarmluftofenHot air oven
1414
GleiseTracks
1515
WärmetauscherteilHeat exchanger part
1616
WärmetauscherteilHeat exchanger part
1717th
ErhitzerHeater
1818th
VentilValve
1919th
VentilValve
2020th
VentilValve
2121
VentilValve
2222
Gebläsefan
2323
RohrkreisPipe circle
2424th
VentilValve
2525th
VentilValve
2626
AnschlußstutzenConnecting piece
2727
ErwärmungsvorrichtungHeating device
2828
Fundamentfoundation
2929
ErdgasleitungNatural gas pipeline
3030th
MontagegrubeAssembly pit
3131
AnbohrschelleTapping clamp
3232
AnschlußstutzenConnecting piece
3333
Schlauchtube
3434
InertgasbehandlungskammerInert gas treatment chamber
3535
Fahrzeugvehicle
3636
Fahrzeugvehicle
3737
RingbrunnenRing fountain
3838
HeizvorrichtungHeater
3939
Gebläsefan
4040
RohrkreisPipe circle
4141
Rohrpipe
4242
Rohrpipe

Claims (14)

Verfahren zur Entfernung von Quecksilber aus Erdgasleitungsrohren und Erdgastransportanlagenteilen für die Aufbereitung und den Transport von Erdgas,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man die Leitung durch kalt ausgeführte Schnitte in Rohre zerlegt,
daß man nach jedem Schnitt das abgeschnittene Rohr in eine Schräg- oder Vertikallage anhebt und den Inhalt des Rohres an Fest- und Flüssigstoffen in ein unter das niedrigere Rohrende gestelltes Gefäß auslaufen läßt,
daß man beide Rohrenden durch Stopfen verschließt und das Rohr zu einer Ausdampfstation transportiert, in der man durch Leitungsstutzen in den Stopfen das Rohr mit Inertgas füllt,
das mit Inertgas gefüllte Rohr erhitzt und das vorhandene Quecksilber verdampft
und daß man das erhitzte, Quecksilberdampf enthaltende Inertgas in einen Kondensator überführt, in dem man das quecksilberdampfhaltige Inertgas so weit abkühlt, bis das Quecksilber aus dem Inertgas ausfällt.
Process for the removal of mercury from natural gas pipeline pipes and parts of natural gas transportation systems for the processing and transportation of natural gas,
characterized,
that the line is broken down into pipes by cold cuts,
that after each cut, the cut tube is lifted into an inclined or vertical position and the contents of the tube of solid and liquid substances are drained into a vessel placed under the lower tube end,
that both pipe ends are closed by plugs and the pipe is transported to an evaporation station, in which the pipe is filled with inert gas through pipe stubs in the plug,
the tube filled with inert gas is heated and the mercury present is evaporated
and that the heated inert gas containing mercury vapor is transferred to a condenser in which the inert gas containing mercury vapor is cooled until the mercury precipitates out of the inert gas.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man die Inertgasfüllung des Rohres mehrmals wechselt, vorzugsweise im Kreislauf zirkuliert.
Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the inert gas filling of the tube is changed several times, preferably circulated.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man für die Inertgasfüllung das Rohr zuvor evakuiert.
Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the pipe is previously evacuated for the inert gas filling.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man zumindest während der Erhitzung des Rohres die Inertgasfüllung unter Unterdruck hält.
Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that you keep the inert gas filling under negative pressure at least while heating the tube.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man das Rohr durch von außen herangetragene Wärme bis über die Verdampfungstemperatur von Quecksilber bei dem vorherrschenden Druck erhitzt.
Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the tube is heated by external heat to above the vaporization temperature of mercury at the prevailing pressure.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man das Rohr durch eingebrachtes heißes Inertgas bis über die Verdampfungstemperatur erhitzt.
Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the tube is heated to above the evaporation temperature by introduced hot inert gas.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man das Inertgas in einem Kreislauf viele Male durch das Rohr bewegt und es dabei außerhalb des Rohres erhitzt, bevor man es auf dem Kreislauf abpumpt, dem Kondensator zuführt.
Method according to claim 6,
characterized,
that one moves the inert gas in a circuit many times through the tube and heats it outside the tube before pumping it out on the circuit and feeding it to the condenser.
Verfahren zur Entfernung von Quecksilber aus Erdgasleitungen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man die Rohrleitung zu beiden Seiten der zu reinigenden Rohrstrecke absperrt,
daß man die Gase aus der abgesperrten Rohrstrecke evakuiert und durch Inertgas ersetzt,
daß man das Rohr abschnittweise erhitzt und dabei mit dem Inertgas vorzugsweise unter Unterdruck spült, wonach man dem Inertgas den in ihm vorhandenen Quecksilberdampf durch Kondensation entzieht.
Process for removing mercury from Natural gas pipelines,
characterized,
that the pipeline is shut off on both sides of the pipe section to be cleaned,
that the gases are evacuated from the closed pipe section and replaced by inert gas,
that the tube is heated in sections and is preferably flushed with the inert gas under reduced pressure, after which the mercury vapor present in it is removed from the inert gas by condensation.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man das Inertgas in derjenigen Richtung im zu reinigenden Rohr wandern läßt, in der man die Erwärmungsvorrichtung bewegt.
A method according to claim 8,
characterized,
that the inert gas is allowed to move in the direction to be cleaned in the pipe in which the heating device is moved.
Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß man vor der Wärmebehandlung die Rohrisolierung entfernt und eine neue nach der Behandlung wieder aufbringt.
A method according to claim 1 or 8,
characterized,
that the pipe insulation is removed before the heat treatment and a new one is applied after the treatment.
Anlage zur Entfernung von Quecksilber aus Erdgasleitungsrohren und Erdgastransportanlagenteilen gekennzeichnet durch
ein Inertgaslager,
eine Erhitzungsvorrichtung,
eine Evakuierungsvorrichtung,
einen Kondensator und
eine Pumpvorrichtung,
die durch Rohrleitungen miteinander verbunden sind, in die das zu reinigende Rohr oder der Rohrleitungsteil eingefügt sind.
Plant for the removal of mercury from natural gas pipelines and natural gas transport system parts characterized by
an inert gas storage,
a heating device,
an evacuation device,
a capacitor and
a pumping device,
which are connected to one another by pipelines into which the pipe or the pipe part to be cleaned are inserted.
Anlage nach Anspruch 11,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Erhitzungsvorrichtung aus einem das zu reinigende Rohrstück umgebenden Ofen oder
aus einem in das zu reinigende Rohrstück einzubringenden Inertgaserhitzer oder
aus einem außerhalb des zu reinigenden Rohrstückes angeordneten Inertgaserhitzer oder
aus eine das zu reinigende Rohrstück umgebenden Wärmequelle besteht.
System according to claim 11,
characterized,
that the heating device from an oven surrounding the pipe section to be cleaned or
from an inert gas heater to be inserted into the pipe section to be cleaned or
from an inert gas heater arranged outside the pipe section to be cleaned or
consists of a heat source surrounding the pipe section to be cleaned.
Anlage nach Anspruch 1,
gekennzeichnet durch
eine Inertgasringleitung, in welcher eine Vorrichtung zum Einfügen des zu reinigenden Rohres und die Erhitzungsvorrichtung angeordnet sind
und an die eine Stichleitung angeordnet ist, die zum Kondensator führt.
System according to claim 1,
marked by
an inert gas ring line in which a device for inserting the pipe to be cleaned and the heating device are arranged
and to which a stub is arranged, which leads to the capacitor.
Anlage nach Anspruch 13,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Stichleitung ebenfalls eine Ringleitung ist, welche an zwei Stellen an die Inertgasringleitung angeschlossen ist.
System according to claim 13,
characterized,
that the branch line is also a ring line which is connected at two points to the inert gas ring line.
EP93102309A 1992-03-30 1993-02-15 Method and installation for elimination of mercury from contaminated pipes and parts of installation, especially of mercury which comes from natural gas Expired - Lifetime EP0563554B1 (en)

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DE19924210455 DE4210455C1 (en) 1992-03-30 1992-03-30
DE4210455 1992-03-30
US08/122,924 US5529605A (en) 1992-03-30 1993-09-17 Method and apparatus for removing mercury from contaminated pipes and installation parts, in particular mercury introduced by natural gas

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DE3428720A1 (en) * 1984-08-03 1986-02-13 Energietechnik Steinhaus GmbH, 4354 Datteln METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLEANING AND / OR DRYING THE INTERNAL WALL OF TELESCOPES
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DE3609517C1 (en) * 1986-03-18 1987-11-19 Marcus Matthias Elektro Ofen Process and apparatus for removing mercury from solid mercury-containing materials

Cited By (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19520876A1 (en) * 1995-06-08 1996-12-12 Heiner Czwaluk Cleaning of volatile and non-volatile deposits from pipes
DE19520876C2 (en) * 1995-06-08 1998-07-09 Heiner Czwaluk Process for removing layers deposited on the inner walls of pipes from polluting substances and device for carrying out the process
WO1998040174A1 (en) * 1997-03-13 1998-09-17 Bg Plc Pipeline cleaning method and apparatus
US6361616B1 (en) * 1997-03-13 2002-03-26 Transco Plc Pipeline cleaning method and apparatus
WO2016154394A1 (en) * 2015-03-25 2016-09-29 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Process, method, and system for removing mercury from pipelines

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PL171014B1 (en) 1997-02-28
DK0563554T3 (en) 1996-07-01
HU9300604D0 (en) 1993-09-28
US5529605A (en) 1996-06-25
GR3020945T3 (en) 1996-12-31
HUT68534A (en) 1995-06-28
PL171702B1 (en) 1997-06-30
ES2090728T3 (en) 1996-10-16
DE4210455C1 (en) 1993-09-23
DE59302869D1 (en) 1996-07-18
ATE139151T1 (en) 1996-06-15
PL298297A1 (en) 1994-01-24
EP0563554B1 (en) 1996-06-12

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