EP2403662B1 - Use of a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid carrying apparatus and clean-up fluid - Google Patents
Use of a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid carrying apparatus and clean-up fluid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2403662B1 EP2403662B1 EP09795531.4A EP09795531A EP2403662B1 EP 2403662 B1 EP2403662 B1 EP 2403662B1 EP 09795531 A EP09795531 A EP 09795531A EP 2403662 B1 EP2403662 B1 EP 2403662B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- clean
- particles
- liquid
- volume
- 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.)
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims description 143
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims description 28
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 119
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 45
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 35
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 26
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011253 protective coating Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten carbide Chemical compound [W+]#[C-] UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 16
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 9
- 241000282887 Suidae Species 0.000 description 5
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 4
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000010980 cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000012459 cleaning agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000006163 transport media Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001993 wax Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000168 Microcrystalline cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004113 Sepiolite Substances 0.000 description 1
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000003082 abrasive agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019813 microcrystalline cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008108 microcrystalline cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940016286 microcrystalline cellulose Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000004738 parenchymal cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 residues Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007790 scraping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052624 sepiolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000019355 sepiolite Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000014347 soups Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
- B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
- B08B9/057—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices being entrained discrete elements, e.g. balls, grinding elements, brushes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/02—Inorganic compounds ; Elemental compounds
- C11D3/12—Water-insoluble compounds
- C11D3/14—Fillers; Abrasives ; Abrasive compositions; Suspending or absorbing agents not provided for in one single group of C11D3/12; Specific features concerning abrasives, e.g. granulometry or mixtures
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
- C11D3/16—Organic compounds
- C11D3/20—Organic compounds containing oxygen
- C11D3/22—Carbohydrates or derivatives thereof
- C11D3/222—Natural or synthetic polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, gum, alginic acid or cyclodextrin
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the use of a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the invention offers a clean-up fluid.
- Fluid-carrying apparatus such as fluid transport pipes, storage tanks or containers, are widely known to be used in a number of industrial applications.
- materials may have to be transported from a storage location to a road location where a road surface may need to be built up.
- apparatus in the form of pipelines are used to move hydrocarbon products between locations often large distances apart.
- recovered oil and gas is typically transported via a sequence of pipe selections as they are pumped from the well, onto the well installation, and into pipeline for export to a refinery.
- recovered hydrocarbons may be treated at a well installation or a refinery where the product may also be run though different kinds of tanks, for example, separation tanks to separate out different gases, or heavy and light oils.
- Pipeline Inspection Gauges pigs
- the pigs may be fitted with brushes or scrapers which extend to engage with interior surfaces of the pipeline to remove material. Material removed from the pipeline walls or deposited in the pipeline is pushed along the pipeline ahead of pig and removed at an access point further along the pipeline. Other elements may be used to coat a pipeline wall.
- the pig technique has significant drawbacks.
- One difficulty is that the pig is designed with a specific diameter to engage a pipe section with a corresponding diameter.
- any one pig may not be suitable for cleaning or treatment where a pipeline diameter changes along its length, or where the pipeline transfers into other kinds of fluid carrying apparatus such as tanks in other parts of the system. Pigs are therefore susceptible to becoming stuck in a pipeline. This can be a particular problem where any debris is present in the pipeline.
- the cleaning and/or treatment elements may not be effective at accessing and cleaning pits, dimples or creases which typically may be formed in inner surfaces of the pipeline.
- pigs themselves typically need to be maintained and removed from the pipeline after use.
- a pig launching and receiving assembly may be provided which connects to the pipeline, and allows manual access to prepare, launch, replace or retrieve pigs. Such launching and retrieving operations can be inconvenient, time consuming and thus costly.
- Another specific cleaning method involves a gel which is pumped through a pipeline.
- this technique is problematic because gels are highly viscous, such that particles or dirt removed from sides of a pipeline collects on an outer surface of the gel such that as the gel is moved along the collected dirt is further smeared against the interior pipe surfaces.
- a second cleaning operation is often required to remove residues caused by use of the gel itself.
- the viscous nature of gels can give rise to blockages, particularly where material is pushed ahead of the gel and at restrictions in the pipeline system.
- gels are expensive, and prohibitively so, if required to clean long-distance pipelines.
- Difficulties may also be encountered in connection with fluid-bearing pumps where solid particles, such as sand, are suspended in the fluid and settle out due to gravity, and can cause the pump to seize and stop functioning particularly when the pump is switched off. Solid particles that are settled out in this way may cause the pump to seize and stop running, and repair costs are typically high because pumps of this nature would typically need to be stripped down into component parts and replaced which is a time consuming process. In addition, dependent industrial processes may need to be halted while the pump is out of operation.
- WO00/29711 PALMER describes a method for removal of undesired fluids from a wellbore. More specifically, it describes a method for cleanout of subterranean wells such as hydrocarbon wells by the utilization of specific translocating fibers and/or platelets.
- DE10142917 SCHOTT GLAS describes a suspension for polishing surfaces which includes polishing elements and an additional constituent in the form of fibers.
- US5704991 MARCUS describes a washing method and composition. More specifically, it describes a process for cleaning vehicles, especially cars, with an alkaline washing composition, preferably comprising one or more surfactants, where the washing composition is combined with an aqueous solution of a cellulose derivative forming a semi-stable composition which congeals and absorbs/adsorbs the dirt particles removing them from the surface when the composition is rinsed off.
- US4605329 DUFFY describes the hydraulic transportation of objects. More specifically, it describes a method and apparatus for hydraulically transporting objects, using a supporting material such as a quantity of flexible fibres mixed into a liquid.
- DE19855255 KAERCHER GMBH & CO ALFRED describes a detergent. More specifically, it describes a cleaning agent which facilitates the contactless removal of graying from surfaces to be cleaned, the cleaning agent contains cellulose in a fibrous form.
- WO9519326 ALVAREZ describes a composition based on micronized sepiolite, and the preparation, process and application to the cleaning and restoration of buildings and monuments.
- EP0767010 RYOBI describes a system and method for cleaning a liquid passage by negative pressure.
- US6419019 PALMER describes a method to remove particulate matter from a wellbore using translocating fibers and/or platelets. More specifically, it describes utilization of specified fibers to aid in transport of the particulate matter.
- EP0867495 DAVIS describes a method for removing debris from a well-bore. More specifically, it describes a method for cleaning debris from a well-bore and includes the steps of injecting hydrophilic fibers selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters and nylons, suspended or dispersed in a water based or oil based liquid into a well-bore.
- US3852200 MEYER describes a drilling liquid containing microcrystalline cellulose. More specifically, it describes a drilling liquid for use in abrasive jet drilling.
- US4629575 WEIBEL describes well drilling and production fluids employing parenchymal cell cellulose. More specifically, it describes circulating and non-circulating well-drilling fluids.
- a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid-carrying apparatus as claimed in claim 15 and dependent claims.
- Such clean-up fluid may comprise abrasive particles and fibre particles in admixture in the liquid.
- the clean-up fluid can be applied to pick up and carry additional particles in the volume of liquid, such as contaminants, residues, sediments or other solids which may be present and/or deposited inside pipes, containers, settling tanks or other fluid-carrying apparatus. In this way, the clean-up fluid can clean away the additional particles.
- the fibre particles and/or any such additional particles picked up by the fluid may be suspended in the volume.
- the fibre particles and/or any such additional particles picked up by the fluid may be suspended in the volume.
- the clean-up fluid may take the form of a slurry for being pumped through a pipeline, tubing, tank, container or other fluid-carrying apparatus to interact with interior surfaces of such fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the clean-up fluid may comprise:
- the liquid comprises water.
- the liquid may comprise a saline liquid, such as salt water.
- the liquid may comprise an oil base, to take the form of an oil-based liquid.
- the clean-up fluid may include a treatment agent for treating a surface of the fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the treatment agent may comprise a corrosion inhibitor or lubricant.
- the treatment agent may be adapted to apply a protective coating to the surface.
- the clean-up fluid may include a solvent for treating a surface of the fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the clean-up fluid may be adapted to abrade an inner surface of a fluid-carrying apparatus. More specifically, the clean-up fluid may comprise abrasive particles. The abrasive particles may be adapted to abrasively remove said residues lining a pipeline wall, e.g. through a scraping action.
- the abrasive particles may be dispersed and/or suspended in the volume of the liquid.
- the fibre particles dispersed in the volume of the liquid may provide support to allow the abrasive particles to be suspended in the volume.
- the clean-up fluid can scrape off, agitate, and remove solid residues by the presence of abrasive particles, whilst the fibres dispersed in the volume allow particles that have been removed to be picked up and carried along the volume.
- the clean-up fluid may comprise:
- the abrasive particles may comprise grit, sand, clays, quartz, diamond, and/or tungsten carbide particles.
- the abrasive particles may comprise particles of different dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes for facilitating cleaning of dimples or pits formed in a wall of a fluid-carrying apparatus and which may be of different scales.
- the clean-up fluid is further adapted to permit the additional particles to be mixed into the volume in use.
- the clean-up fluid may be adapted to act as a low viscosity fluid for facilitating mixing of additional particles into the volume.
- the additional particles such as solid residues
- the additional particles are readily mixed into the volume such that the clean-up fluid acquires a new constituency including the additional particles.
- the contaminant particles can effectively incorporated in the volume to be carried/transported with the clean-up fluid, e.g., upon being pumped through fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the clean-up fluid may take the form of a papier-mâché mixture, wherein the liquid volume comprises water and the fibre particles comprise paper and/or newsprint-derived fibre particles in admixture.
- the fluid-carrying apparatus may include pumps, tanks, containers, tubes, pipes or the like.
- the method may comprise the step of adding abrasive particles to the admixture.
- the fluid-carrying apparatus may include a pump, tank, tubing or the like.
- the method may comprise the step of admixing constituents to form a low viscosity clean-up fluid.
- additional particles, such as contaminants, of the fluid-carrying apparatus are effectively admixed and can be carried with the volume of the clean-up fluid.
- the method may comprise the step of pumping the clean-up fluid at pressure to force the clean-up fluid through the fluid-carrying apparatus for picking up additional particles such as residues or solid fallouts.
- the method may comprise the step of pumping the clean-up fluid into contact with interior surfaces of the fluid-carrying apparatus to scrape residue from the surfaces and/or collect and carry loosened residues.
- the clean-up fluid may be a clean-up fluid according to the first aspect of the invention.
- a treatment fluid comprising liquid and sufficient particles in admixture therewith for treating a fluid carrying apparatus, wherein particles of fibre are dispersed in a volume of the liquid in an amount that does not exceed the particle-carrying capacity of that volume of liquid.
- the fluid may comprise a treatment agent for applying a protective coating to a surface of a fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the treatment agent may include a corrosion inhibitor.
- the liquid and particles in admixture may initiate a cleaning action within fluid-carrying apparatus.
- the fluid-carrying apparatus may include a pump.
- a fluid-carrying pipeline 10 is generally depicted.
- a clean-up fluid 12 introduced to the pipeline 10 is shown in Figure 1 in use whilst being delivered at pressure though the pipeline 10 in the direction of arrow 11 to remove loose solid particles 18 and clean the pipeline 10.
- the clean-up fluid 12 comprises water 14 (constituting a "liquid") and newspaper particles 16 (constituting "fibre particles”) in admixture.
- the newspaper particles 16 are dispersed in the water 14, and are present generally throughout its volume.
- the clean-up fluid is prepared from 1 % w/w of newspaper particles, and 99% w/w of water.
- the newspaper particles appear as "suspended" in the volume.
- the resulting distribution of newspaper particles allows loose solid particles 18 (constituting "additional particles"), which are lifted into the volume as the clean-up fluid is moved though the pipeline, to be suspended or carried along with the clean-up fluid, in the volume.
- the clean-up fluid 12 acts as a thick soup or "slurry" in the pipeline 10. However, its overall viscosity is low, and sufficiently so that the loose particles 18 are picked up, drawn and mixed into the volume of the fluid 12 as it is moved along the pipeline 10. Thus, the clean-up fluid 12 changes its composition and acquires further constituent particles as it progresses through the pipeline; the further particles 18 themselves and the newspaper particles 16 being in admixture in the water 14. The newspaper particles assist to carry or suspend the loose particles from the pipeline in the clean-up fluid.
- a pipeline 100 is shown generally with a clean-up fluid being pumped through in a similar manner to that described with reference to Figure 1 .
- the clean-up fluid 112 is prepared in its initial constituency to comprise newspaper particles and additionally abrasive particles 122 in admixture in the volume of water 114. More specifically, the clean up fluid 112 is formed from a first volume comprising 99% w/w water 114 admixed with 1% w/w of newspaper particles 124 (identical to the clean-up fluid 12 described above), and a second volume of sand particles 122 (constituting the "abrasive particles") which is equal to the first volume.
- the newspaper particles 116 assist to carry or suspend the sand particles 122 from the pipeline in the volume of water, and the clean-up fluid 112 as a whole acts as a slurry and functions in use in a similar manner as described in the Figure 1 example.
- the clean-up fluid 112 in this example functions in use to scrape off unwanted residue or scale 126 coated or encrusted on an inner wall 120 of the pipeline 100.
- the clean-up fluid 112 is pumped at pressure through the pipeline, the sand particles 122 scrape and abrade against the residue to remove it from the pipeline wall.
- the scale or residue material that is removed from the pipeline wall is also mixed into the volume of water and carried through the pipeline in the volume along with the fluid.
- the solid loose particles acquired in the volume, along with the sand particles, and newspaper particles are again present in admixture in the volume of water.
- the sand particles 122 are shown in further detail.
- the particles have different sizes so that the composition can effectively clean the pits and dimples 130 formed in internal walls of the pipeline 120.
- This figure demonstrates that large sand particles 128 are not suitable for cleaning although they have a strong abrasive action themselves. Smaller abrasive particles 129 however can access smaller pits and dimples 130 to clean these more effectively.
- the clean-up fluid as described in the present examples are prepared manually by measuring out appropriate amounts of the fibre particles, water and abrasive particles if required, locating these constituents together in a receptacle, and mixing these constituents by manual shaking or stirring.
- a mechanical arrangement could be used to automate these tasks and prepare sufficient quantities of the clean up fluid.
- the ingredients do not need to be added in any particular order.
- the liquid and fibre particle admixture of Figure 1 includes a corrosion inhibitor in the liquid.
- the corrosion inhibitor has a "sticky" constituency allowing it to separate out from the fluid and adhere naturally to a surface of the pipeline when it comes into contact with the pipeline surface.
- a coating of protective corrosion inhibitor is applied evenly over the surface.
- the corrosion inhibitor would typically be introduced to the fluid toward the end of a cleaning process, particularly after abrasives used to remove unwanted residues have been introduced and applied to the fluid.
- the constituents of the fluids described herein may be introduced at different times as and when required for achieving particular cleaning or treatment effects.
- a liquid and fibre particle admixture constituting the fluid 12, as referred to above with reference to Figure 1 is used as a transport medium for carrying road aggregates from one location to another.
- a storage tank containing aggregate materials is provided at a roadside location, and the admixture is delivered to the tank and mixes with the aggregate materials so that the materials are carried in the volume of the liquid.
- the fluid including the aggregate is then pumped, to move the aggregates typically more readily than previously possible, from the tank to the road where the aggregate material can be evened out to form a road bed.
- the present invention provides a number of advantages.
- the clean-up fluid having fibre particles and water in admixture provides a slurry-like admixture capable of picking up and carrying loose solids along the pipeline to remove them and clean the pipeline.
- providing the clean-up fluid with abrasive particles which are carried in a volume of the fluid and dispersed in the volume allows scale built up on the inside surfaces of the pipeline to be scraped off, and also to be carried away in the volume to remove it from the pipeline.
- the clean-up fluid is an effective transport medium for particles and efficient at moving dirt away from the side surfaces of the pipeline, and away from the front of the flow.
- this helps to clean the pipeline in a single pumping process, potentially using a single batch of clean-up fluid, and to avoid blockages.
- components of the clean-up fluid are readily available and the technique is therefore cost effective, such that long-distance pipelines can be cleaned.
- the clean-up fluid described above is particularly effective at carrying with it solid particles so that they are prevented from settling out in the pump, thereby avoiding pump seizure.
- the clean-up fluid includes a solvent which helps to remove solids from the pipe surface.
- the solids which are removed are suspended in the fluid due to the presence of the fibre particles, and the fluid thereby forms a "solvent" slurry.
- This slurry is advantageous in that it ensures a relatively even application of the solvent to the pipe surface, decreases the amount and volume of the expensive solvent used, eases recovery of the solvent compared with prior art traditional solvent techniques.
- the ability of the clean-up fluid to support abrasive particles of various different sizes allows pits, creases, corners, dimples and areas around other irregularities in the fluid-carrying apparatus, to be effectively accessed, cleaned, and treated.
- the water-to-fibre particle (e.g., newspaper particle) ratios indicated could differ from the specific example ratios referred to herein.
- the clean up fluid may contain 5% w/w newspaper particles and 95% water. In other cases, the clean up fluid may contain 50% w/w of newspaper particles.
- the fibre-water composition used for a particular application will typically be dependent on the weight, size and suspendability of fibres selected, and the viscosity of fluid required.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Emergency Medicine (AREA)
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to the use of a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid-carrying apparatus. In one particular embodiment, the invention offers a clean-up fluid.
- Fluid-carrying apparatus, such as fluid transport pipes, storage tanks or containers, are widely known to be used in a number of industrial applications. In road constructions, materials may have to be transported from a storage location to a road location where a road surface may need to be built up. In the oil and gas industry, apparatus in the form of pipelines are used to move hydrocarbon products between locations often large distances apart. In addition, recovered oil and gas is typically transported via a sequence of pipe selections as they are pumped from the well, onto the well installation, and into pipeline for export to a refinery. Further, recovered hydrocarbons may be treated at a well installation or a refinery where the product may also be run though different kinds of tanks, for example, separation tanks to separate out different gases, or heavy and light oils.
- In the production of oil and gas therefore, a hydrocarbon product will typically be passed through numerous pipe systems.
- Over time, unwanted residues, waxes and dirt may build up inside the fluid-carrying apparatus. Solids which may be carried along with the fluid may fall out and be deposited inside the apparatus, and some substances may even become adhered to the inner surfaces of such apparatus.
- These unwanted particles and residues may contaminate a product passing through a pipeline, and after a long-term build up may adversely affect the performance of a pipeline system. It is therefore desirable to periodically remove these particles and residues to clean out the system. It can also be desirable to treat a cleaned system with a coating to protect and resist build up of such residues.
- From time to time therefore, the interiors of such pipeline systems need to be cleaned to remove both residues adhered to inner surfaces of the pipeline system, to collect up loose deposits which have settled out from the fluid, and to be treated with protective coatings.
- There are a number of difficulties that arise with a view to cleaning such systems. For example, one problem is how to access the interior surfaces of the fluid-carrying apparatus. A further difficulty is how to perform the cleaning and/or treatment effectively.
- At present, pipeline cleaning and treatment is often carried out using Pipeline Inspection Gauges (pigs), which are pumped through a pipeline. The pigs may be fitted with brushes or scrapers which extend to engage with interior surfaces of the pipeline to remove material. Material removed from the pipeline walls or deposited in the pipeline is pushed along the pipeline ahead of pig and removed at an access point further along the pipeline. Other elements may be used to coat a pipeline wall.
- The pig technique has significant drawbacks. One difficulty is that the pig is designed with a specific diameter to engage a pipe section with a corresponding diameter. Thus, any one pig may not be suitable for cleaning or treatment where a pipeline diameter changes along its length, or where the pipeline transfers into other kinds of fluid carrying apparatus such as tanks in other parts of the system. Pigs are therefore susceptible to becoming stuck in a pipeline. This can be a particular problem where any debris is present in the pipeline.
- In addition, due to pig elements having limited dimensions, the cleaning and/or treatment elements may not be effective at accessing and cleaning pits, dimples or creases which typically may be formed in inner surfaces of the pipeline.
- Furthermore, pigs themselves typically need to be maintained and removed from the pipeline after use. To achieve this, a pig launching and receiving assembly may be provided which connects to the pipeline, and allows manual access to prepare, launch, replace or retrieve pigs. Such launching and retrieving operations can be inconvenient, time consuming and thus costly.
- Another specific cleaning method involves a gel which is pumped through a pipeline. However, this technique is problematic because gels are highly viscous, such that particles or dirt removed from sides of a pipeline collects on an outer surface of the gel such that as the gel is moved along the collected dirt is further smeared against the interior pipe surfaces. Thus, after use of a gel, a second cleaning operation is often required to remove residues caused by use of the gel itself. In addition, the viscous nature of gels can give rise to blockages, particularly where material is pushed ahead of the gel and at restrictions in the pipeline system. Yet further, gels are expensive, and prohibitively so, if required to clean long-distance pipelines.
- Yet further, removal of material build-ups in a pipe or tube system, for example, parafin wax build-up in an oil pipeline, is known to be carried out by passing specific solvents through the pipe to dissolve the material. However, this technique suffers in that solvent is often unevenly imparted to the pipe surface and it can be difficult to fully recover the solvent. Moreover, high volumes of solvent are often needed which can be costly.
- Difficulties may also be encountered in connection with fluid-bearing pumps where solid particles, such as sand, are suspended in the fluid and settle out due to gravity, and can cause the pump to seize and stop functioning particularly when the pump is switched off. Solid particles that are settled out in this way may cause the pump to seize and stop running, and repair costs are typically high because pumps of this nature would typically need to be stripped down into component parts and replaced which is a time consuming process. In addition, dependent industrial processes may need to be halted while the pump is out of operation.
-
WO00/29711 -
DE10142917 SCHOTT GLAS describes a suspension for polishing surfaces which includes polishing elements and an additional constituent in the form of fibers. -
US5704991 MARCUS describes a washing method and composition. More specifically, it describes a process for cleaning vehicles, especially cars, with an alkaline washing composition, preferably comprising one or more surfactants, where the washing composition is combined with an aqueous solution of a cellulose derivative forming a semi-stable composition which congeals and absorbs/adsorbs the dirt particles removing them from the surface when the composition is rinsed off. -
US4605329 DUFFY describes the hydraulic transportation of objects. More specifically, it describes a method and apparatus for hydraulically transporting objects, using a supporting material such as a quantity of flexible fibres mixed into a liquid. -
DE19855255 KAERCHER GMBH & CO ALFRED describes a detergent. More specifically, it describes a cleaning agent which facilitates the contactless removal of graying from surfaces to be cleaned, the cleaning agent contains cellulose in a fibrous form. -
WO9519326 -
EP0767010 RYOBI describes a system and method for cleaning a liquid passage by negative pressure. -
US6419019 PALMER describes a method to remove particulate matter from a wellbore using translocating fibers and/or platelets. More specifically, it describes utilization of specified fibers to aid in transport of the particulate matter. -
EP0867495 DAVIS describes a method for removing debris from a well-bore. More specifically, it describes a method for cleaning debris from a well-bore and includes the steps of injecting hydrophilic fibers selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters and nylons, suspended or dispersed in a water based or oil based liquid into a well-bore. -
US3852200 MEYER describes a drilling liquid containing microcrystalline cellulose. More specifically, it describes a drilling liquid for use in abrasive jet drilling. -
US4629575 WEIBEL describes well drilling and production fluids employing parenchymal cell cellulose. More specifically, it describes circulating and non-circulating well-drilling fluids. - According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid-carrying apparatus, as claimed in claim 15 and dependent claims.
- Such clean-up fluid may comprise abrasive particles and fibre particles in admixture in the liquid.
- Therefore, the clean-up fluid can be applied to pick up and carry additional particles in the volume of liquid, such as contaminants, residues, sediments or other solids which may be present and/or deposited inside pipes, containers, settling tanks or
other fluid-carrying apparatus. In this way, the clean-up fluid can clean away the additional particles.
The fibre particles and/or any such additional particles picked up by the fluid, may be suspended in the volume. - The fibre particles and/or any such additional particles picked up by the fluid, may be suspended in the volume.
- The clean-up fluid may take the form of a slurry for being pumped through a pipeline, tubing, tank, container or other fluid-carrying apparatus to interact with interior surfaces of such fluid-carrying apparatus.
- The clean-up fluid may comprise:
- 0.5-10% w/w fibre particles; and
- 90-99.5% w/w liquid.
- Preferably, the liquid comprises water. The liquid may comprise a saline liquid, such as salt water. The liquid may comprise an oil base, to take the form of an oil-based liquid.
- The clean-up fluid may include a treatment agent for treating a surface of the fluid-carrying apparatus. The treatment agent may comprise a corrosion inhibitor or lubricant. The treatment agent may be adapted to apply a protective coating to the surface.
- The clean-up fluid may include a solvent for treating a surface of the fluid-carrying apparatus.
- In one embodiment, the clean-up fluid may be adapted to abrade an inner surface of a fluid-carrying apparatus. More specifically, the clean-up fluid may comprise abrasive particles. The abrasive particles may be adapted to abrasively remove said residues lining a pipeline wall, e.g. through a scraping action.
- The abrasive particles may be dispersed and/or suspended in the volume of the liquid. In this embodiment, the fibre particles dispersed in the volume of the liquid may provide support to allow the abrasive particles to be suspended in the volume. Thus, in use, the clean-up fluid can scrape off, agitate, and remove solid residues by the presence of abrasive particles, whilst the fibres dispersed in the volume allow particles that have been removed to be picked up and carried along the volume.
- The clean-up fluid may comprise:
- 0.5-10% w/w/fibre particles;
- 0.5-10% w/w abrasive particles; and
- 80-99% w/w/ liquid.
- The abrasive particles may comprise grit, sand, clays, quartz, diamond, and/or tungsten carbide particles. The abrasive particles may comprise particles of different dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes for facilitating cleaning of dimples or pits formed in a wall of a fluid-carrying apparatus and which may be of different scales.
- The clean-up fluid is further adapted to permit the additional particles to be mixed into the volume in use. For example, the clean-up fluid may be adapted to act as a low viscosity fluid for facilitating mixing of additional particles into the volume. Thus, as the additional particles, such as solid residues, are removed and/or collected, the additional particles are readily mixed into the volume such that the clean-up fluid acquires a new constituency including the additional particles. In this way, the contaminant particles can effectively incorporated in the volume to be carried/transported with the clean-up fluid, e.g., upon being pumped through fluid-carrying apparatus.
- In a specific embodiment, the clean-up fluid may take the form of a papier-mâché mixture, wherein the liquid volume comprises water and the fibre particles comprise paper and/or newsprint-derived fibre particles in admixture.
- The fluid-carrying apparatus may include pumps, tanks, containers, tubes, pipes or the like.
- According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of use of a clean-up fluid according to the first aspect of the invention in the cleaning of fluid-carrying apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 and dependent claims.
- The method may comprise the step of adding abrasive particles to the admixture.
- The fluid-carrying apparatus may include a pump, tank, tubing or the like.
- The method may comprise the step of admixing constituents to form a low viscosity clean-up fluid. In this way, additional particles, such as contaminants, of the fluid-carrying apparatus are effectively admixed and can be carried with the volume of the clean-up fluid.
- The method may comprise the step of pumping the clean-up fluid at pressure to force the clean-up fluid through the fluid-carrying apparatus for picking up additional particles such as residues or solid fallouts. The method may comprise the step of pumping the clean-up fluid into contact with interior surfaces of the fluid-carrying apparatus to scrape residue from the surfaces and/or collect and carry loosened residues.
- The clean-up fluid may be a clean-up fluid according to the first aspect of the invention.
- In one embodiment, there is provided a treatment fluid comprising liquid and sufficient particles in admixture therewith for treating a fluid carrying apparatus, wherein particles of fibre are dispersed in a volume of the liquid in an amount that does not exceed the particle-carrying capacity of that volume of liquid.
- The fluid may comprise a treatment agent for applying a protective coating to a surface of a fluid-carrying apparatus. The treatment agent may include a corrosion inhibitor.
- The liquid and particles in admixture may initiate a cleaning action within fluid-carrying apparatus. The fluid-carrying apparatus may include a pump.
- Other features of this further aspect of the invention may be defined with reference to any one or more of the features and corresponding method steps as appropriate of the first to second aspects of the invention.
- There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention with reference to the following drawings, of which:
-
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a pipeline with a clean-up fluid being pumped though to remove loose solid particles from the pipeline according to an embodiment of the invention. -
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional representation of a pipeline with a clean-up fluid being pumped though to remove solid residues formed inner walls of the pipeline according to a further embodiment; and -
Figure 3 is a close up representation of different size sand particles of the clean-up fluid ofFigure 2 . - With reference firstly to
Figure 1 , a fluid-carryingpipeline 10 is generally depicted. A clean-upfluid 12 introduced to thepipeline 10 is shown inFigure 1 in use whilst being delivered at pressure though thepipeline 10 in the direction ofarrow 11 to remove loosesolid particles 18 and clean thepipeline 10. - In this example, the clean-up
fluid 12 comprises water 14 (constituting a "liquid") and newspaper particles 16 (constituting "fibre particles") in admixture. - The
newspaper particles 16 are dispersed in thewater 14, and are present generally throughout its volume. In this case, the clean-up fluid is prepared from 1 % w/w of newspaper particles, and 99% w/w of water. The newspaper particles appear as "suspended" in the volume. The resulting distribution of newspaper particles allows loose solid particles 18 (constituting "additional particles"), which are lifted into the volume as the clean-up fluid is moved though the pipeline, to be suspended or carried along with the clean-up fluid, in the volume. - The clean-up
fluid 12 acts as a thick soup or "slurry" in thepipeline 10. However, its overall viscosity is low, and sufficiently so that theloose particles 18 are picked up, drawn and mixed into the volume of the fluid 12 as it is moved along thepipeline 10. Thus, the clean-up fluid 12 changes its composition and acquires further constituent particles as it progresses through the pipeline; thefurther particles 18 themselves and thenewspaper particles 16 being in admixture in thewater 14. The newspaper particles assist to carry or suspend the loose particles from the pipeline in the clean-up fluid. - In
Figure 2 , apipeline 100 is shown generally with a clean-up fluid being pumped through in a similar manner to that described with reference toFigure 1 . In this example however, the clean-upfluid 112 is prepared in its initial constituency to comprise newspaper particles and additionallyabrasive particles 122 in admixture in the volume ofwater 114. More specifically, the clean upfluid 112 is formed from a first volume comprising 99% w/w water 114 admixed with 1% w/w of newspaper particles 124 (identical to the clean-upfluid 12 described above), and a second volume of sand particles 122 (constituting the "abrasive particles") which is equal to the first volume. - The newspaper particles 116 assist to carry or suspend the
sand particles 122 from the pipeline in the volume of water, and the clean-upfluid 112 as a whole acts as a slurry and functions in use in a similar manner as described in theFigure 1 example. - In addition, the clean-up
fluid 112 in this example functions in use to scrape off unwanted residue orscale 126 coated or encrusted on aninner wall 120 of thepipeline 100. As the clean-upfluid 112 is pumped at pressure through the pipeline, thesand particles 122 scrape and abrade against the residue to remove it from the pipeline wall. - The scale or residue material that is removed from the pipeline wall is also mixed into the volume of water and carried through the pipeline in the volume along with the fluid. The solid loose particles acquired in the volume, along with the sand particles, and newspaper particles are again present in admixture in the volume of water.
- With further reference to
Figure 3 , thesand particles 122 are shown in further detail. The particles have different sizes so that the composition can effectively clean the pits anddimples 130 formed in internal walls of thepipeline 120. This figure demonstrates thatlarge sand particles 128 are not suitable for cleaning although they have a strong abrasive action themselves. Smallerabrasive particles 129 however can access smaller pits anddimples 130 to clean these more effectively. - The clean-up fluid as described in the present examples are prepared manually by measuring out appropriate amounts of the fibre particles, water and abrasive particles if required, locating these constituents together in a receptacle, and mixing these constituents by manual shaking or stirring. Of course, it will be appreciated that a mechanical arrangement could be used to automate these tasks and prepare sufficient quantities of the clean up fluid. The ingredients do not need to be added in any particular order.
- In other embodiments, it will be understood that instead of water, an oil-based liquid is used. Further, it will be understood that other kinds of fibres or abrasive particles could be used in place of those described in the specific examples. In particular, it will be understood that although the examples describe the use of the cleanup fluid in connection with pipelines, it could equally be applied to clean other fluid- carrying apparatus, such as tanks, pumps, containers, or other apparatus.
- In another example, the liquid and fibre particle admixture of
Figure 1 includes a corrosion inhibitor in the liquid. The corrosion inhibitor has a "sticky" constituency allowing it to separate out from the fluid and adhere naturally to a surface of the pipeline when it comes into contact with the pipeline surface. Thus, as the fluid is pushed along the pipeline at a certain pressure such that the fluid makes contact with the sides a coating of protective corrosion inhibitor is applied evenly over the surface. - It will be appreciated that the corrosion inhibitor would typically be introduced to the fluid toward the end of a cleaning process, particularly after abrasives used to remove unwanted residues have been introduced and applied to the fluid. Thus, it will be appreciated more generally that the constituents of the fluids described herein may be introduced at different times as and when required for achieving particular cleaning or treatment effects.
- In another example variant not of the invention as presently claimed, a liquid and fibre particle admixture constituting the fluid 12, as referred to above with reference to
Figure 1 , is used as a transport medium for carrying road aggregates from one location to another. In this example, a storage tank containing aggregate materials is provided at a roadside location, and the admixture is delivered to the tank and mixes with the aggregate materials so that the materials are carried in the volume of the liquid. The fluid including the aggregate is then pumped, to move the aggregates typically more readily than previously possible, from the tank to the road where the aggregate material can be evened out to form a road bed. - The present invention provides a number of advantages. The clean-up fluid having fibre particles and water in admixture provides a slurry-like admixture capable of picking up and carrying loose solids along the pipeline to remove them and clean the pipeline. In addition, providing the clean-up fluid with abrasive particles which are carried in a volume of the fluid and dispersed in the volume, allows scale built up on the inside surfaces of the pipeline to be scraped off, and also to be carried away in the volume to remove it from the pipeline.
- Further, the unwanted particles and residues are readily mixed into and are dispersed in the volume of the fluid due to its low viscosity (as facilitated by the use of water), thus the clean-up fluid is an effective transport medium for particles and efficient at moving dirt away from the side surfaces of the pipeline, and away from the front of the flow. In turn, this helps to clean the pipeline in a single pumping process, potentially using a single batch of clean-up fluid, and to avoid blockages. In addition, components of the clean-up fluid are readily available and the technique is therefore cost effective, such that long-distance pipelines can be cleaned.
- In examples where the fluid carrying apparatus includes a pump, the clean-up fluid described above is particularly effective at carrying with it solid particles so that they are prevented from settling out in the pump, thereby avoiding pump seizure.
- In other examples, the clean-up fluid includes a solvent which helps to remove solids from the pipe surface. The solids which are removed are suspended in the fluid due to the presence of the fibre particles, and the fluid thereby forms a "solvent" slurry. This slurry is advantageous in that it ensures a relatively even application of the solvent to the pipe surface, decreases the amount and volume of the expensive solvent used, eases recovery of the solvent compared with prior art traditional solvent techniques.
- Yet further, the ability of the clean-up fluid to support abrasive particles of various different sizes, along with its general flowability as described above, allows pits, creases, corners, dimples and areas around other irregularities in the fluid-carrying apparatus, to be effectively accessed, cleaned, and treated.
- Various improvements and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention herein described. In particular, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the water-to-fibre particle (e.g., newspaper particle) ratios indicated could differ from the specific example ratios referred to herein. For example, the clean up fluid may contain 5% w/w newspaper particles and 95% water. In other cases, the clean up fluid may contain 50% w/w of newspaper particles. The fibre-water composition used for a particular application will typically be dependent on the weight, size and suspendability of fibres selected, and the viscosity of fluid required.
Claims (16)
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) for cleaning fluid carrying apparatus (10) into which, out of which or through which fluid can flow, the clean-up fluid (12, 112) comprising:a volume of liquid (14, 114) andfibre particles (16, 124) comprising paper fibres, or paper and/or newspaper-derived fibre particles,the clean-up fluid (12, 112) having low viscosity and comprising fibre particles distributed in the volume of liquid (14, 114) in an amount that does not exceed the particle carrying capacity of that volume of liquid and having sufficient fibre particles (16, 124) distributed in the volume to provide a cleaning action in use, the cleaning action comprising additional particles (18, 118) being picked up and carried along with the clean-up fluid in the volume as the clean-up fluid (12, 112) flows through the fluid carrying apparatus (10).
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clean-up fluid (12) is in the form of a slurry for being pumped through fluid carrying apparatus (10) to interact with the interior surfaces of such fluid carrying apparatus.
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the clean-up fluid (12) changes its composition, acquiring the additional particles (18, 118) as constituent additional particles as it flows though the fluid carrying apparatus (10).
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the clean-up fluid comprises:0.5-10% w/w fibre particles (16, 124); and90-99.5% w/w liquid (14, 114)optionally, the clean-up fluid (12, 112) comprises: 5% w/w fibre particles 16, 124; and 95% w/w liquid (14, 114),
optionally, the clean-up fluid (12, 112) comprises: 1% w/w fibre particles (16, 124); and 99% w/w liquid (14, 114). - Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in any preceding claim in which the liquid comprises water or salt water or the liquid (14, 114) comprises an oil-based liquid.
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, the liquid (14, 114) comprises water or salt water, and the clean up fluid is in the form of a papier-mache mixture.
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the clean-up fiuid (12, 112) includes a treatment agent for treating a surface of the fluid carrying apparatus, or the clean-up fluid (12, 112) includes a treatment agent for applying a protective coating to the fluid carrying apparatus.
- Use of a clean-up fluid as claimed in claim 7 wherein the treatment agent comprises a corrosion inhibitor or lubricant, and/or wherein the treatment agent comprises a solvent for treating the interior surfaces of the fluid carrying apparatus.
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12) as claimed any preceding claim wherein the clean-up fluid (112) comprises abrasive particles (22) and fibre particles (24) in admixture in the liquid (14), and
wherein the abrasive particles (122) are dispersed and/or suspended in the volume of the liquid (114) with the fibre particles (124) dispersed in the volume of the liquid (114) providing support to allow the abrasive particles to be suspended in the volume. - Use of a clean-up fluid as claimed in claim 9 wherein the clean-up fluid comprises:0.5-10% w/w fibre particles (124);0.5-10% w/w abrasive particles (122); and80-99% w/w liquid.
- Use of clean-up fluid (112) as claimed in claim 9 to 10 wherein the abrasive particles (122, 128, 129) comprise grit, sand, clays, quartz, diamond, and/or tungsten carbide particles and/or wherein the abrasive particles (122, 128, 129) comprise particles of different dimensions, shapes, and/or sizes for facilitating cleaning of dimples or pits (130) formed in a wall of a fluid carrying apparatus (10) and which may be of different scales.
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in any preceding claim comprising the step of pumping the clean-up fluid at pressure to force the clean-up fluid through the fluid carrying apparatus (10).
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in any preceding claim comprising:- introducing a clean-up fluid comprising first constituents at a first time,- introducing further constituent(s) at different time(s) to the clean-up fluid.
- Use of a clean-up fluid (12, 112) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the clean-up fluid comprises abrasive particles as a first constituent, and wherein corrosion inhibitor is introduced as a further constituent towards the end of the cleaning process.
- A clean-up fluid (12, 112) for flowing through a fluid carrying apparatus (10) in the use of any of claims 1 to 16 comprising:- a volume of liquid (14, 114); and
fibre particles (16, 124) comprising paper fibres, or paper and/or newspaper-derived fibre particles,- the clean-up fluid (12, 112) having low viscosity and comprising fibre particles (16, 124) distributed in the volume of liquid (14, 114) in an amount that does not exceed the particle carrying capacity of that volume of liquid and having sufficient fibre particles distributed in the volume of liquid to provide a cleaning action in use;the cleaning action comprising additional particles (18, 118) being picked up and carried along with the clean up fluid in the volume as the clean-up fluid flows through a fluid carrying apparatus. - A clean-up fluid according to claim 15 comprising any of the features of the fluid of claims 2 to 14.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0823292A GB0823292D0 (en) | 2008-12-20 | 2008-12-20 | Treating moving and removing particles in fluid-carrying apparatus |
PCT/GB2009/051741 WO2010070354A1 (en) | 2008-12-20 | 2009-12-18 | Treating, moving and removing particles in fluid-carrying apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2403662A1 EP2403662A1 (en) | 2012-01-11 |
EP2403662B1 true EP2403662B1 (en) | 2016-03-30 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP09795531.4A Active EP2403662B1 (en) | 2008-12-20 | 2009-12-18 | Use of a clean-up fluid for cleaning fluid carrying apparatus and clean-up fluid |
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EP (1) | EP2403662B1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK2403662T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2578953T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0823292D0 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2403662T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010070354A1 (en) |
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CN103252330B (en) * | 2012-02-20 | 2015-10-14 | 中国海洋石油总公司 | Simple underwater tube cleaner |
US20150165495A1 (en) * | 2013-12-16 | 2015-06-18 | Terrell H. Yon, III | Abrasive cleaning of inner cooled generator coils |
WO2018064284A1 (en) | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-05 | Novaflux, Inc. | Compositions for cleaning and decontamination |
US11345878B2 (en) | 2018-04-03 | 2022-05-31 | Novaflux Inc. | Cleaning composition with superabsorbent polymer |
AU2020358982A1 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2022-04-28 | Novaflux Inc. | Oral cavity cleaning composition, method, and apparatus |
US11077474B1 (en) | 2020-01-13 | 2021-08-03 | Riddle's Dehi & Chemical Services Co., Inc. | Method of cleaning pipeline |
US11512241B2 (en) | 2020-01-13 | 2022-11-29 | Riddle's Dehi & Chemical Services Co., Inc. | Method of treating pipeline |
US11732181B2 (en) | 2020-01-13 | 2023-08-22 | Riddle's Dehi & Chemical Services Co., Inc. | Method of treating an apparatus to remove surface deposits |
GB202019039D0 (en) | 2020-12-02 | 2021-01-13 | Burns John Granville | Improvements relating to treatment fluids in fluid carrying apparatus |
US11692126B1 (en) | 2022-03-21 | 2023-07-04 | Riddle's Dehi & Cbemical Services Co., Inc. | Method of pretreating a pipeline or apparatus |
IT202200009122A1 (en) * | 2022-05-04 | 2023-11-04 | Co In Service S R L | APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF A PIPE |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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NZ202329A (en) * | 1982-10-29 | 1986-11-12 | Fibre Dynamics Ltd | Transporting slurry within a pulp |
NO933375L (en) * | 1993-02-24 | 1994-08-25 | Marcus Kjemiske As Thor | The composition |
ES2102292B1 (en) * | 1994-01-14 | 1998-04-01 | Tolsa Sa | COMPOSITION BASED ON MICRONIZED SEPIOLITE, PROCEDURE FOR ITS PREPARATION AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE CLEANING AND RESTORATION OF BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS |
EP0767010A1 (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 1997-04-09 | Ryobi Ltd. | System and method for cleaning liuid passage by negative pressure |
US6085844A (en) * | 1998-11-19 | 2000-07-11 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method for removal of undesired fluids from a wellbore |
DE19855255A1 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | Kaercher Gmbh & Co Alfred | cleaning supplies |
DE10142917A1 (en) * | 2001-09-01 | 2003-03-27 | Schott Glas | Suspension for polishing surfaces includes polishing elements and an additional constituent in the form of fibers |
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2008
- 2008-12-20 GB GB0823292A patent/GB0823292D0/en active Pending
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2009
- 2009-12-18 PL PL09795531.4T patent/PL2403662T3/en unknown
- 2009-12-18 DK DK09795531.4T patent/DK2403662T3/en active
- 2009-12-18 WO PCT/GB2009/051741 patent/WO2010070354A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-12-18 EP EP09795531.4A patent/EP2403662B1/en active Active
- 2009-12-18 ES ES09795531.4T patent/ES2578953T3/en active Active
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EP2403662A1 (en) | 2012-01-11 |
WO2010070354A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
GB0823292D0 (en) | 2009-01-28 |
PL2403662T3 (en) | 2016-10-31 |
ES2578953T3 (en) | 2016-08-03 |
DK2403662T3 (en) | 2016-07-25 |
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