GB2274898A

GB2274898A - Controlling an object in a pipeline

Info

Publication number: GB2274898A
Application number: GB9402023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walter Robert Suttie
Original assignee: CENTURY ASSOCIATES Ltd
Current assignee: CENTURY ASSOCIATES Ltd
Priority date: 1993-02-03
Filing date: 1994-02-02
Publication date: 1994-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2014-02-02
Also published as: GB9302096D0; GB9402023D0; GB2274898B

Abstract

The invention relates to controlling the movement of an object 24 (especially a pipeline pig) in a pipeline magnetically wherein the object has a magnetised or magnetically attractable core 26 and the control means comprise electromagnetic means 12, 14, 16 which are selectively energised to attract the object in the required direction. Various embodiments show methods for launching a pig into a pipeline (figs 2, 3, 4, 5 not shown) whilst other embodiments (figs 6 to 8 not shown) show methods for controlling the direction of flow of a fluid at a pipe junction (fig 8 not shown), the object acting as a valve member by blocking unwanted exits, or controlling the movement of an object into a selected pipe (as in figure 1) depending on the relative dimensions of the object and the pipe (i.e. depending on whether the object will pass down the pipe or abut against the pipe). <IMAGE>

Description

PIPELINE APPARATUS The invention relates to pipeline apparatus and in particular to an apparatus and method by means of which one or more objects within a pipeline can be controlled.

For example, the object may be a pipeline pig that is launched from a trap or caused to take a particular path when travelling along a pipe or pipeline which may be split into two or more separate streams.

Hereinafter the terms "pipeline pig" or "pig" are to be construed to cover all objects movable within a pipeline, and are not limited to objects used for cleaning a pipeline. In particular the terms cover piglike objects used as controllable valves.

Pipeline pigs or other objects are used in a number of industries for cleaning pipelines or for forming a moving barrier between different fluids being pumped through a pipeline. It is therefore a common requirement to be able to hold one or more such pigs in a launching trap to be released as required.

It is a further common requirement to be able to divert a moving pig, or two or more pigs travelling in sequence along a pipeline, so that the or each pig takes a particular path when it reaches a point where the pipeline splits into two or more separate streams.

In both these instances it has in the past been necessary to employ intrusive devices fitted to the pipeline to perform the required function - such devices typically taking the form of movable vanes, fingers or elbows. However, the maintaining of seals forming part of the mechanisms extending through the pipeline walls has been a problem because such pipelines are frequently required to work continuously at high pressure.

In the food and pharmaceutical industries in particular such mechanisms provide further problems due to the difficulty of keeping them clean; any mechanism including sealing elements which rotate or move slidably are a serious hazard for contamination.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling within a pipeline an object at least partly of a magnetically attractable or magnetic material, the method including the step of using magnetic or magnetically attractable means to magnetically attract or repel the object and thereby to control the movement of the object within a pipeline.

Thus the object, e.g. a pig, may be adequately controlled using equipment external to the pipeline and without requiring any intrusive devices fitted to the pipeline.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for controlling within a pipeline an object at least partly of a magnetically attractable or magnetic material, the apparatus including magnetic or magnetically attractable means for magnetically attracting or repelling the object, and control means for controlling the attraction or repulsion of the magnetic or magnetically attractable means and thereby controlling the movement of the object within a pipeline.

The apparatus may be used to effect the release of the object, e.g. a pig, from a trap into a pipeline.

Again, by use of this apparatus a suitable object may be controlled from outside the pipeline. The magnetic means may, for example, include a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The term "magnetically attractable means includes material which may be attractable by a magnet. If the object is made at least partly of magnetically attractable material then the apparatus will include magnetic means, and vice versa.

The magnetic or magnetically attractable means may be adapted for location in association with a region or junction in a pipeline, and the means are then usable to control the object to urge it into or against a predetermined branch of the pipeline.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided pipeline apparatus including a pipeline and associated magnetic or magnetically attractable means and control means, the control means being for controlling the movement of an object within the pipeline, or to effect the release of an object from a trap into the pipeline by use of the magnetic or magnetically attractable means to magnetically attract or repel the object. As above, preferably the magnetic or magnetically attractable means are located in association with a region or junction in the pipeline and are usable to control the object, e.g. a pig, to urge it into a predetermined branch of the pipeline.

The pipeline may include first and second regions, the first region being adjacent to and having a larger cross-sectional area than the second region, with the object being located in the first region. The magnetic or magnetically attractable means may then be usable to urge the object into or against the entrance to the second region.

The pipeline may also include a third region, similar to the second region in that it is also adjacent the first region and has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first region. The magnetic or magnetically attractable means may then also be usable to urge the object into or against the entrance to the third region.

In this way apparatus according to the present invention can function as a check valve in which the flow through a pipeline may be limited, if desired, to a particular direction.

The pipeline junction may be a "Y" junction and the magnet or magnetically attractable means may include three magnetic or magnetically attractable elements, one located in association with each branch of the junction.

Each of the magnetic or magnetically attractable elements may be usable to urge the object into or against the branch of the pipeline with which it is associated.

In one embodiment of the invention, the "Y" junction of the pipeline includes an enlarged region at the junction of the three branches. A pig or other movable object may be located within this enlarged region, possibly with the pig being too large to fit into any of the branches of the pipe. The magnet or magnetically attractable means includes a fourth magnetic or magnetically attractable element located, for example, above the centre of the enlarged region so as to be usable to retain the pig in the centre of "Y" junction.

When the pig is retained in the centre of the junction it is not blocking any of the branches of the junction and fluid may flow freely through the various branches. However, when one of the magnetic or magnetically attractable elements associated with one of the branches is activated by the control means (and correspondingly the fourth magnetic or magnetically attractable element is deactivated) then the pig is attracted to the appropriate branch which it may then pass along or block, as appropriate depending on the relative sizes of pig and pipeline. Thus fluid may then only flow between the two unblocked branches of the pipe.

Thus a non-intrusive flow control mechanism is provided.

The pipeline apparatus may include a trap for introducing a pig into the pipeline, the magnetic or magnetically attractable means being associated with the trap and being usable to retain a pig in the trap. The magnetic or magnetically attractable means may include two magnetic or magnetically attractable elements, each such element of being usable to retain a separate pig in the trap.

The release of at least one pig from a trap into a pipeline may be assisted by a flow of fluid acting to force the pig into said pipeline.

The present invention also relates to a pipeline pig made at least partly of magnetically attractable or magnetic material. The pig may have a core made at least partly of magnetically attractable and magnetic material and a sheath covering at least part of the core.

Alternatively it may have an elongate core made at least partly of magnetically attractable or magnetic material, and at least one resilient member extending away from the core.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided, in combination, at least one pipeline pig made at least partly of a magnetically attractive or magnetic material and at least one electromagnet or permanent magnet, or at least one ferrous element in association with a pipeline or trap communicating with a pipeline and capable of being switched into or out of operation to an extent for controlling said at least one such pig within said pipeline or the entry of said at least one such pig into said pipeline.

In the case of a permanent magnet, switching into or out of operation may be by the movement of said magnet or of a connecting element into or out of an operative position and/or by the movement of a shielding device into or out of an inoperative position.

In the case of a ferrous element arranged to release or to capture, or to influence the path of movement, of a magnetic pig, its switching into or out of operation may be by the movement of said ferrous element into or out of an operative position and/or by the movement of a shielding device into or out of an inoperative position.

In the case of an electromagnet, it may be activated or deactivated by electrical control as appropriate.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of a pipeline where it branches into two separate flow lines, Figure 2 is a sectional view through a trap device for a plurality of pipeline pigs of spherical shape, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 which illustrates a modification of the trap device, Figure 4 is a sectional view through a different construction of trap device for a pipeline pig of elongate generally cylindrical shape, Figure 5 is a view in the direction of arrow 5 in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a cross-sectioned view through a pipeline including a further embodiment of the present invention, Figures 7a, 7b and 7c are diagrammatic views showing operation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a sectional view through a pipeline showing apparatus according to the present invention in use as a check valve.

Referring now to Figure 1, the Y-piece there illustrated and generally indicated 10 is part of a pipeline shown in chain-dotted lines. The Y-piece is made of thin walled stainless steel (that is to say in the region of 1.5 mm thick) and has electric coils 12,14,16 around respective branch pipes 18,20,22.

A pipeline pig, generally indicated 24, which is shown passing through the Y-piece 10, has a spherical core 26 of ferrous metal and an outer sheath 28 of polyurethane.

The arrangement is such that as the pipeline pig approaches the Y-piece, the electric coil surrounding the branch pipe which it is desired it should enter will be energised to produce an electromagnetic effect. The switching into operation of that particular electric coil thus influences the path of movement of the pig as it enters the Y-piece.

Referring now to Figure 2, this illustrates a trap device for a pair of the pipeline pigs 24 previously referred to. Said trap device, which may be made almost entirely of stainless steel,# includes an upstanding barrel 30 which at its lower end communicates with a pipeline (not shown) of e.g. a food processing plant.

The upper end of the barrel 30 is provided with a sealing head 32 which at one side is connected by pivot pin 34 to said barrel. At the other side of said sealing head, a locking lever 36 is provided for turning a clamping screw 38 which engages a nut 40 trunnion mounted between a pair of lugs 42,42. The arrangement is such that, in an operative position of the locking lever 36, a part-spherical portion 44 thereof can be engaged with a slotted seating 46 in said sealing head, as shown in full lines in Figure 2. When the trap device is to be opened, the locking lever can be unscrewed so that it can then be pivoted to the inoperative position in which it is shown in chain-dotted lines; the sealing head 32 is then able to be pivoted to an open position as shown in chain-dotted lines.

The sealing head 32 is provided on its underside with a shallow frusto-conical portion 48 which is able to seal against a PTFE insert 50 at the upper end of the barrel. On its top side said sealing head is provided with an electrical coil 52 located within a protective cover 54, the latter having screwthreaded engagement within a cylindrical depression 56 in the sealing head, the arrangement being such that the electrical coil is spaced from the underside of the sealing head by a relatively thin section of material which when the trap device is closed is located at the vertical axis of the barrel.

Intermediate the upper and lower ends of the barrel, a branch pipe 29 communicates with the interior of the barrel.

In use of the device, the pair of pigs 24 are entered into the trap device so that the lowermost pig is located at the entrance to a reduced diameter lower portion 31 of the barrel and the uppermost pig is located in the uppermost part of the barrel. The sealing head 32 is then clamped in its closed position on the barrel 30 and the electrical coil 52 is energised so that the uppermost pig is held by magnetic attraction against the underside of said sealing head.

A flow of fluid through the branch pipe 29 when the pair of pigs have been arranged as just described, will force the lowermost pig through the reduced diameter portion 31 and into the pipeline where it will be entrained in the fluid passing through said pipeline.

After an appropriate time lapse, the electrical coil 52 will be de-energised so that the remaining pig is allowed to fall into the position previously occupied by the lowermost pig, a further flow of fluid through the branch pipe then causing said pig to be forced through the reduced diameter portion 31 and into the pipeline.

A volume of fluid will thus be trapped between the two pigs in said pipeline. (The fluid concerned may be a valuable substance which needs to be recovered before the pipeline is flushed out in readiness to receive some different fluid).

In Figure 3 there is illustrated a modified form of the trap just described, the modification residing in the fact that instead of the electrical coil 52 on the sealing head the trap is provided with a pair of electromagnetic coils 51 and 53 surrounding the barrel.

The arrangement is such that the two pipeline pigs 24 which are shown to have been entered into the trap can be suspended within the respective electromagnetic coils, as shown in full lines in the drawing. They can be released in turn to fall into the position shown in chain-dotted lines, and to be forced by a flow of fluid through the branch pipe 29 along the reduced diameter portion 31 of the barrel and into the pipeline beneath said barrel, at the will of an operator or in response to signals from some remote location operating appropriate control apparatus.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, these illustrate a trap device, generally indicated 54, containing a piston type pipeline pig 56, that is to say a pipeline pig of elongate generally cylindrical shape. The pig has an elongate cylindrical core 58 with pairs of resilient discs 60,60 near its opposite ends. At its opposite ends the pig is provided with circular plate elements 62 made of ferrous metal.

The trap device has a trap body 64 with a generally cylindrical chamber 65 of somewhat larger diameter than the resilient discs 60 of the pig. The chamber 65 is also somewhat longer than the pig so that a flow of fluid can take place around said pig from one end 66 to the other end 68 as indicated by arrows. The opposite ends of the device are shown to be welded to respective pipes 70 and 72 having bore diameters in which the resilient discs of the pig are an interference fit.

A circular aperture 74 in a side wall of the trap body 64 is shown to be closed by a removable access cover 76, the latter having a PTFE sealing ring 78 to ensure a fluid tight joint is maintained. Means for securing the access cover against a sealing face of the trap body comprise a locking ring generally indicated 80, of substantially U-shaped cross section which, as shown in Figure 5, is made in two halves 81 and 82 pivotally connected together at 83.

A screwthreaded clamping screw 84 and wing nut 85 are provided for urging the two halves of the locking ring together so that, by virtue of the inclined surfaces within said locking ring and the complementary shape of the surfaces which they engage, the access cover is urged into tight engagement with the clamping face of the trap body.

The access cover 76 carries an inwardly projecting arm 86 which locates an electrical coil 88 at the axis of the trap body. The coil 88 can be energised by an electrical supply externally of the trap. It is the energised coil which holds the pipeline pig 56 in the position in which it is shown in full lines by magnetic attraction.

The arrangement is such that when the pipeline in which the trap is installed has been drained, the access cover can be removed, either to extract the pipeline pig or to position a fresh pig against the projecting arm 86, as shown in chain-dotted lines in Figure 4. A newly installed pig will be held in the position shown in full lines in Figure 4 for as long as the coil is energised.

When the coil is de-energised, the pig will be released to travel along the pipe 72.

A pig which has been released to travel along the pipe 72, propelled therealong by a flow of fluid behind it, may subsequently be returned to the trap by a reverse flow of fluid. When it reaches the trap it will of course be brought to a halt by its abutment against the arm 86; the electrical coil 88 will then be energised so that when the pipeline has subsequently been drained, the access cover 76 can be removed to extract the pig from the trap.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view through a "Y" junction 100 of a pipeline. The "Y" junction includes an enlarged central region 102 within which a pig 104 is located. Associated with each of the three branches 106, 108, 110 are magnetic elements 112, 114, 116 respectively.

Above the central region 102 is located a further magnetic element 118. In figure 6 the magnetic element (centralising-coil) 118 is shown to be activated and the pig 104 is held in position by the element 118. This is also the situation shown in Figure 7a. In this position - the neutral position - fluid in the pipe is free to pass from any given branch into either of the others.

However if one of the three branch magnetic elements is activated then the pig 104 will be attracted to that branch. In Figure 7b element 114 is activated and the pig is attracted to branch 108. At the same time as activation or energising of element 114, the central control coil 118 is de-energised.

Depending upon the relative sizes of the pig and branch 108, the pig may travel down branch 108 or branch 108 may be effectively closed by the pig and hence flow in the pipe limited to the "unenergised" branches. In Figure 7c this would mean that flow is from branch 106 to branch 110. Thus the apparatus can function either as a valve or as apparatus for directing a pig.

The apparatus shown in figures 6 and 7 may be used in conjunction with a trap if required.

Figure 8 shows a sectional view through a pipeline according to one aspect of the present invention. Here the pipeline incorporates a check valve" based on the principles of the present invention. The pipeline 120, of nominal diameter A, includes an enlarged region 122 of diameter B. Thus the enlarged region 122 is located between two smaller regions 124 and 126, with the crosssectional area of region 122 being greater than that of regions 124 and 126.

Located in relation to regions 124 and 126 are coils 128 and 130 respectively. In this embodiment these are electromagnetic coils but of course could equally be permanent magnets or magnetically attractable means as described earlier in the specification. Located in relation to the enlarged region 122 is coil 132.

Located within the enlarged region 122 is an object 134, such as a pipeline pig, made of at least partly of magnetic or magnetically attractable material as required.

In operation the apparatus functions as follows: if none of the coils are energised, fluid may not flow in the pipeline in either direction. If coil 128 is energised flow may take place only from left to right as shown in Figure 8. Conversely if coil 130 is energised flow may take place only from right to left. Finally, with coil 132 energised the pig is held centrally and flow may take place through the pipeline in either direction. Thus the apparatus functions as a check valve.

Clearly if only a one way valve were required then one or other of the coils could be omitted appropriately.

Thus there is provided means whereby an object such as a pipeline pig can be either launched from a trap or caused to take a particular path when travelling along a pipeline and coming to a branching of the pipeline, such means being devoid of movable vanes, fingers or elbows.

However, various modifications may be made. For example, with each pipe junction or trap device, instead of at least one electromagnet there could be at least one associated permanent magnet capable of being switched into or out of operation to influence the path of movement of at least one magnetically attractive pig or to release or to capture at least one such pig, as the case may be, the switching into or out of operation being effected by moving said at least one permanent magnet or a connecting element into or out of an operative position and/or by the movement of a shielding device into or out of an inoperative position.

Alternatively, instead of the pipeline pigs being made at least partly of a magnetically attractive material (e.g. having a ferrous core) to be influenced by at least one electromagnet or permanent magnet, they could be themselves magnetic. In this way said pigs could be influenced by at least one ferrous element movable into or out of an operative position.

For example, in the case of a branch pipe such as that illustrated in Figure 1, instead of the electrical coils there could be a ferrous element, or respective ferrous elements, movable into position alongside any particular one of the three branches to influence the path of travel of a magnetic pig therethrough.

In the case of the trap illustrated in Figure 2, instead of the electrical coil 52 there could be a ferrous element movable into and out of a position in which it causes a magnetic pig to remain suspended in position within the barrel 30. In the case of the trap illustrated in Figure 3, instead of the electromagnetic coils 51 and 53 there could be respective ferrous elements movable into and out of positions in which they cause the two pigs to remain suspended in their positions within the barrel.

In the case of the trap illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, instead of the electrical coil 88 there could be a ferrous plate element slidable along a slot extending along the arm 86 and opening externally of the trap. The presence of said plate element within the arm at the axis of the trap would retain a magnetic pig in abutment with the arm; the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of said plate element from within the arm would release the pig.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for controlling within a pipeline an object at least partly of a magnetically attractable or magnetic material, the apparatus including magnetic or magnetically attractable means for magnetically attracting or repelling the object, and control means for controlling the attraction or repulsion of the magnetic or magnetically attractable means and thereby controlling the movement of the object within a pipeline.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic or magnetically attractable means are adapted for location in association with a junction in a pipe and are usable to control the object to urge it into or against a predetermined branch of the pipe.

3. A pipeline including apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A pipeline according to claim 3 wherein the pipeline includes first and second regions, the first region being adjacent and having a larger cross-sectional area than the second region, the object being located in the first region, and the magnetic or magnetically attractable means being usable to urge the object into or against the entrance to the second region.

5. A pipeline according to claim 4 wherein the pipeline includes a third region adjacent the first region and having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first region, and the magnetic or magnetically attractable means are usable to urge the object into or against the entrance to the third region.

6. A pipeline according to claim 3 wherein the magnetic or magnetically attractable means are located in association with a junction in the pipeline and are usable to control the object to urge it into a predetermined branch of the pipeline.

7. A pipeline according to claim 6 wherein the pipeline includes a "Y" junction and the magnetic or magnetically attractable means include three magnetic or magnetically attractable elements, one located in associated with each branch of the junction, each of the magnetic or magnetically attractable elements being usable to urge the object into or against the branch of the pipeline with which it is associated.

8. A pipeline according to claim 7 wherein the magnetic or magnetically attractable means includes a fourth magnetic or magnetically attractable element located so as to be usable to retain the object in the centre of the "Y" junction to prevent the object from entering or blocking any of the branches.

9. A pipeline according to claim 3 including a trap for introducing an object into the pipeline, the magnetic or magnetically attractable means being associated with the trap and being usable to retain an object in the trap.

10. A pipeline according to claim 9 wherein the magnetic or magnetically attractable means includes two magnetic or magnetically attractable elements, each such element being usable to retain an object in the trap.

11. A method of controlling within a pipeline an object at least partly of magnetically attractable or magnetic material, the method including the step of using magnetic or magnetically attractable means to magnetically attract or repel the object and thereby to control the movement of the object within a pipeline.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the object is travelling in a pipe and the method includes the step of using magnetic or magnetically attractable means which are located in association with a junction in the pipe to control the object to urge it into a predetermined branch of the pipe.

13. A method according to claim 11 for introducing the object into a pipe including the steps of holding the object in a trap using the magnetic or magnetically attractable means and then releasing the object into the pipe by operating the magnetic or magnetically attractable means.

14. A method according to claim 11 for removing the object from a pipe including the steps of introducing the object into a trap and then retaining the object in the trap using the magnetic or magnetically attractable means.

15. Apparatus or a method or a pipeline according to any of the above claims wherein the object is a pipeline pig.

16. A pipeline pig at least partly of magnetically attractable or magnetic material, the amount of magnetically attractable or magnetic material being sufficient to permit magnetic control of the pig.

17. A pipeline pig according to claim 16 having a core made at least partly of magnetically attractable or magnetic material, and a sheath covering at least part of the core.

18. A pipeline pig according to claim 16 having an elongate core made at least partly of magnetically attractable or magnetic material, and at least one resilient member extending away from the core.

19. Apparatus for controlling an object within a pipeline substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A pipeline substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A pipeline pig substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of controlling an object within a pipeline substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.