GB2596292A

GB2596292A - Multi-bore-connector for subsea applications

Info

Publication number: GB2596292A
Application number: GB2009475.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lemond Korey; Rengman Mørck Morten
Original assignee: Aker Solutions AS
Current assignee: Aker Solutions AS
Priority date: 2020-06-22
Filing date: 2020-06-22
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-22
Also published as: NO20210598A1; GB2596292B; GB202009475D0

Abstract

A pipe section (10) for selectively directing fluid flow in a pipeline system. the pipe section comprises at least three ports (11a-c), a first flow path (21a, fig. 4) connecting a first (11a) and a second (11b) of the at least three ports, a second flow path (21b, fig. 5) connecting the first (11a) and a third (11c) of the at least three ports, and at least one receiving portion (14a-b) configured to receive a removably insertable plug (19) such that the removably insertable plug restricts flow in one of the first and second flow paths, while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths. The recess may be defined by the walls (9, fig. 1) of the pipe section and two pipe components (16a-b) coupled together by a removable clamp at an interface (17). The plug may be a sealing cassette (190, fig. 7) and the receiving portion may intersect both flow paths. There may also be a fourth port, defining a third flow path. The pipe section may comprise a hatch to access the receiving portions. A method of directing flow in a pipeline system is also claimed.

Description

MULTI-BORE-CONNECTOR FOR SUBSEA APPLICATIONS

FIELD

Some examples described herein relate to a multi-bore connector for pipeline systems, and particularly to directing flow in a pipeline system.

BACKGROUND

Hydrocarbon recovery uses a wide range of standardized methods to recover hydrocarbons from land or subsea storages, many of which comprise the usage of pipe systems. Often, multiple pipeline systems and connections have to be established. Throughout the hydrocarbon recovery process (e.g. during the process of drilling, treatment, recovery or subsequent distribution) the content and flow route of fluids flowing in a pipe system may change. For example, during a drilling process, fluids may be required to be carried to the wellbore, such as drilling mud. Whereas, during recovery some parts of a pipeline system may be required to transport injection fluids to a wellbore, while others may be required to transport recovered hydrocarbons from the wellbore to a surface location.

Publications which may be useful to understand the background include US 9,790,765 B2.

With a projected continued increase of subsea pipeline installations new ways of improving the safety, facilitating the installation and/or reducing the overall installation and maintenance costs are sought. In particular, the reduction of unnecessary pipeline installations is highly desirable. The present disclosure has the objective of providing such improvements, or at least alternatives, to the current state of the art.

Apart from the disclosed environment of a subsea pipeline system, the invention may also be applicable to on-shore pipeline systems, e.g. transportation pipelines or pipeline systems for on-shore drilling, as these systems face similar technical difficulties.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to the present invention include among other things a multi-bore connector with selectively openable and closeable fluid ports and a method of directing fluid flow in a piping system.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a pipe section for selectively directing fluid flow in a pipeline system, the pipe section comprising: at least three ports; a first flow path connecting a first and a second of the at least three ports; 1.

a second flow path connecting the first and a third of the at least three ports; and at least one receiving portion configured to receive a removably insertable plug such that the removably insertable plug restricts flow in one of the first and second flow paths, while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths.

In use, the pipe section may be used to connect pipeline systems together, and may be used to divert flow therein. For example, the pipe section may enable a user to selectively divert fluid flow between the first flow path and the second flow path by inserting a removably insertable plug in the at least one receiving portion. This configuration may enable flow to be diverted within a pipe system much more quickly, safely and cheaply than would otherwise be possible as, for example, alternatives to the diversion of fluid flow within a pipe system may involve the disconnection and reconnection of piping, flowlines, jumpers etc. within the pipeline system.

According to a second example, there is a pipe section, wherein the at least one receiving portion is a recess defined by the walls of the pipe section. As such, the at least one receiving portion may be integrally formed into the pipe section.

According to a third example, there is a pipe section according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe section is comprised of at least two pipe components coupled together at an interface, at least part of the receiving portion being defined by a first of the at least two components, and at least a part of the at least one receiving portion being defined by a second of the at least two components. This configuration may permit a removably insertable plug to be inserted into the pipe section simply by connecting the two pipe components of the pipe section together.

According to a fourth example, there is a pipe section wherein the at least two pipe components are coupled together by fastening means, in particular a removable clamp. Having a removable clamp as fastening means may enable the pipe components to be decoupled, for example decoupled in-situ, and the removably insertable plug removed, replaced and/or reconfigured in a straightforward and quick manner.

According to a fifth example, there is a pipe section wherein at least one of the at least one receiving portion comprises a removably inserted plug.

According to a sixth example, there is a pipe section wherein the removably insertable plug has the form of a sealing cassette, the sealing cassette defining at least one plug for restricting flow in the one of the first and second flow paths, and at least one opening for permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths. Such a sealing cassette may permit a degree of sealing to be provided by the removably insertable plug. As such, when the removably insertable plug is replaced, the sealing provided by the plug will also be renewed, and may therefore be less likely to fail as a result of degradation over time, is it may be more regularly replaced than sealing, for example, on other pipe systems.

According to a seventh example, there is a pipe section wherein the removably insertable plug completely prevents flow in one of the first and second flow paths.

According to an eighth example, there is a pipe section wherein the at least one receiving portion intersects both the first and second flow paths. As such, a single receiving portion may be used to control flow in both the first and second flow paths, which may facilitate control of fluid flow therein.

According to an ninth example, there is a pipe section comprising two receiving portions, each of the first and second flow paths comprising one of the two receiving portions. For example, each one of the two receiving portions may be located in one of the first and second flow paths, which may enable individual control over the flow paths.

According to a tenth example, there is a pipe section wherein the receiving portions have a substantially planar form, and the two receiving portions of the first and second flow paths are located in between outer boundary planes of the fastening means.

According to an eleventh example, there is a pipe section wherein the at least one receiving portion are substantially parallel, with the respective principal planes of each receiving portion being in the same plane.

Having a planar receiving portion may permit a compact design of pipe section. While having parallel receiving potions may facilitate manipulation by means of a robot or ROV, for example, by providing predictably located receiving portions.

According to a twelfth example, there is a pipe section comprising a fourth port and a third flow path connecting the first fluid port and the fourth fluid port.

According to a thirteenth example, there is a pipe section wherein the fluid flow is liquid flow.

According to a fourteenth example, there is a pipe section wherein the pipe section comprises a hatch for providing access to the at least one receiving portion. Such a hatch may permit ease of access to the at least one receiving portion, while also providing a degree of external sealing.

According to a fifteenth example, there is a pipe section comprising at least two pipe components, connectable to define the at least one receiving portion and to contain the plug so as to form a seal between the plug and the at least one receiving portion.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method for selectively directing flow in a pipeline system, comprising: providing a pipe section for selectively directing flow, the pipe system comprising: at least three ports; a first flow path connecting a first and a second of the at least three ports; a second flow path connecting the first and a third of the at least three ports, at least one receiving portion configured to receive a removably insertable plug such that the removably insertable plug restricts flow in one of the first and second flow paths, while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow path; inserting a removably insertable plug into the at least one receiving portion so as to restrict flow in one of the first and second flow paths, while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths; flowing an either liquid or gaseous medium through the first port and one of the second and third ports to provide flow through either the first or the second flow path.

According to a second example of the second aspect, there is a method for selectively directing flow in a pipeline system, wherein the pipe section is comprised of at least two pipe components, and the method comprises fastening the at least two pipe components together to form a fluid seal around a periphery of the removably insertable plug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a pipe section configured to receive means for controlling the flow in said pipe section.

Figure 2 illustrates the pipe section from Figure 1 with inserted flow control means. Figure 3 illustrates the fully assembled pipe section from Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the possible flow paths through the pipe section from Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the pipe section of Figures 1 to 5.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the pipe section of Figure 1, comprising another way of receiving the means for controlling the flow in said pipe section.

Figure 8 shows the embodiment from Figure 7 with inserted flow control means.

Figure 9 shows the embodiment from Figure 7 with the respective fastening means to couple the pipe components together.

Figure 10 shows an isometric view from one of the pipe components from Figure 7.

Figure 11 shows an isometric view from the other of the pipe components from Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description may use terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "lateral", "back and forth", "up and down", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "forward", "rear", etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting.

The disclosure particularly relates to pipeline systems, where an alteration of the connections in the pipeline system is desired. The disclosure preferably provides an alternative to known pipeline systems, where valves may wear out quickly and rebuilding and/or replacing valves and/or connections is not cost efficient, e.g. pipeline systems with large diameters or that are located in harsh environments, namely subsea pipelines. However, this invention is also applicable to smaller pipeline systems.

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a pipe section 10. The pipe section 10 is configurable to selectively direct a fluid flow through the pipe section 10 and thereby direct the fluid flow within a pipeline system, comprising the pipe section 10. The pipe section 10 comprises three ports 11a,b,c, however the person skilled in the art may also be able to construct embodiments with more than three ports 11a,b,c. The pipe section 10 comprises walls 9, which define a number of channels therein. The channels define flow paths that pass therethrough. The three ports 11a,b,c are connected by the channels and therefore by the flow paths passing through the channels, which will be described in detail in relation to Figures 4 and 5. Preferably, the fluid flow through the pipeline system is liquid flow. It may however also be gaseous.

Furthermore, the pipe section 10 comprises at least one receiving portion 14a,b configured to receive a removably insertable plug. In the illustrated example, the at least one receiving portion 14a, b, is defined by a discontinuity in the walls 9 of the pipe section 10. The discontinuity may be a in the form of a recess, a break, a reduction in thickness, or the like, in the walls 9 of the pipe section 10. In this example, the depicted embodiment comprises two receiving portions 14a,b, which are both cylindrical, similar to the shape of the channel, are both themselves substantially similar in shape and are formed by the discontinuity in the walls 9 of the pipe section 10. To facilitate the reader's understanding of the drawings, the centre of the receiving portions 14a,b in the cross-sectional view are marked with their respective numbering, the receiving portions 14a,b themselves, however, are defined by the discontinuity in the walls 9 of the pipe section 10, which in this example is in the form of a break in the material of the walls 9. Therefore, the receiving portions 14a,b extend to the respective walls 9 of the pipe section 10. In another embodiment, the receiving portions 14a,b may have another shape which may be different to the shape of the channel, e.g. and extruded rectangular or square shape, preferably matching the shape of the removably insertable plug, which will be described in more detail herein. In another embodiment, there may also be only one receiving portion 14a,b. The person skilled in the art may also design embodiments wherein there are more than two receiving portions 14a,b, this may find application, for example, when the embodiment also comprises more than three ports 11a,b,c and more than two flow paths and/or channels.

In this embodiment the pipe section 10 is comprised of two pipe components 16a,b, which are coupled together by fastening means 17, herein a removable clamp, which is only partially shown and wherein the top and bottom part in the cross-sectional view are marked with the number 17.

The at least one receiving portion 14a,b may be situated between each of the pipe components 16a,b and may be partially defined by each of the two pipe components 16a,b such that when the two pipe components 16a,b are connected or coupled at an interface 18 the entire receiving portion is formed. In this illustrated example, both the first and second pipe component 16a,b each define one half of each of the two receiving portions 14a,b, each of the halves being symmetrical about the interface 18. In effect, the first 16a of the at least two pipe components may define at least a part of the at least one receiving portion 14a,b and a second 16b of the at least two pipe components may define at least a part of the at least one receiving portion 14a,b. The embodiment may also comprise fastening means 17, herein a removable clamp, to connect the two pipe components 16a,b and to seal the interconnection. The fastening means 17 may extend fully around the periphery of the two connected pipe components 16a,b, or may extend around a part of the two connected pipe components 16a,b. To facilitate this connection, at least one, or each, of the two pipe components 16a,b may comprise connection means. For example, at least one or both of the two pipe components 16a,b may comprise a flange, lip, ridge, or protruding or indented portion for engagement for engagement with the fastening means 17. The person skilled in the art may also find other ways to interconnect the two pipe components 16a,b, e.g. bolts or other ways to seal the connection.

In a further example, the pipe section may be designed to have at least two pipe components 16a,b that are interconnected and where one of the at least two pipe components 16a,b defines the entirety of the at least one receiving portion 14a,b.

In a further example, at least one receiving portion 14a,b may be located in between the two pipe components 16a,b with the receiving portion 14a,b being defined independently of each of the two pipe components 16a,b. 14a,b, e.g. there may be recesses or other holding mechanisms comprised or located between each of the two pipe components 16a,b. In this case, the at least one receiving portion 14a,b may be defined by a gap or recess between the pipe components 16a,b. A removably insertable plug may then be placed between the pipe components 16a,b and may comprise fixing means external to the two pipe components 16a,b to fix its position. Such fixing means may be or comprise a sealing gasket having sealing properties located on the outer surface of the pipe components 16a,b, the outer surface being a surface in abutment with at least one of the pipe components 16a,b. In some examples, a removably insertable plug may comprise two abutment surfaces, each one for abutment with one of the pipe components 16a,b, and each surface, or each of the abutment surfaces of the pipe components 16a,b, comprising a sealing gasket for location between the abutting surfaces of the pipe component and the removably insertable plug. In arrangement with a sealing gasket, abutment between the pipe component or components 16a,b may be considered to be abutment via the sealing gasket. The setup may be interconnected by an external fastening means, e.g. a clamp 17, or the plug may have own fastening means, either fastening means may also comprise means to fix the position of the plug in between the pipe components 16a,b. In such cases, the removably insertable plug may be generally cylindrical in shape.

Alternatively, there may be more or fewer than two pipe components 16a,b, as the person skilled in the art will understand. E.g. there may be only one single pipe component 16a,b. The single pipe component may comprise the at least one receiving portion 14a,b and may also comprise an access arrangement such as a hatch and/or an access port to access the receiving portion 14a,b and insert or remove a removably insertable plug into/from the at least one receiving portion. Therefore, in this way one single (e.g. formed from one piece) pipe component 16a,b may be provided which still provides a receiving portion 14a,b for a removably insertable plug.

In Figure 2 the same pipe section as in Figure 1 is shown, again from a cross-sectional view. In this example, one of the receiving portions 14a comprises a removably insertable plug 19. However, in other examples, more than one of the receiving portions 14a,b (as labelled in Figure 1) may comprise a removably insertable plug 19. Additionally, any receiving portion 14b (as labelled in Figure 1), which does not comprise a removably insertable plug 19, may comprise a removably insertable sealing means 20. The removably insertable sealing means 20 may permit and/or facilitate the flow, as the flow does not have to adjust to the receiving portions 14a,b (as labelled in Figure 1) larger wall diameter and then back to the normal pipe width. Also the removably insertable sealing means 20 may be used to assist to seal the interconnection between the two pipe elements 16a,b to prevent fluid leakage therethrough. Preferably any of the removably insertable plug 19 and the removably insertable sealing means 20 have the same shape as the respective receiving portions 14a,b (as labelled in Figure 1) in which they are received. As such, the removalby insertable plug may also assist to seal the interconnection between the two pipe elements to prevent fluid leakage therethrough. To facilitate the reader's understanding both parts of the cross section of the cylindrical symmetrical, removably insertable sealing means 20 have been marked with the number 20.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment from Figures 1 and 2 with the respective fastening means 17, herein a clamp. In this embodiment the clamp 17 interconnects the two pipe components 16a,b, the sealing between the pipe components is provided by the removably insertable plugs and sealing means. In another embodiment the clamp 17 may provide sealing capability which may reduce or remove the need for such sealing means to be provided by a removably insertable sealing means 20 or removably insertable plugs 19. For example, the clamp may comprise a static seal intended to contact each of the pipe components 16a, 16b at the junction therebetween.

In Figure 4 the same pipe section 10 of Figures 1-3 is depicted, this time with one flow path 21a of the two flow paths illustrated. The first flow path connects a first 11a with a second llb of the at least three ports. The flow paths pass through channels that are defined by the walls 9 surrounding the respective flow paths. In the flow path of this example, no removably insertable plug is inserted in the receiving portion 14b (as labelled in Figure 1), rather a removably insertable sealing means 20 may be inserted, to permit flow in the first flow path while providing a degree of sealing to prevent fluid ingress between the pipe components 16a,b. The upper receiving portion 14a (as labelled in Figure 1) comprises a removably insertable plug 19, which blocks the other flow path.

Figure 5 shows the pipe section 10 of Figures 1-4, this time the position of the removably insertable plug 19 and the removably insertable sealing means 20 is switched. The upper receiving portion 14a (as labelled in Figure 1) comprises the removably insertable sealing means 20 and the lower receiving portion 14b (as labelled in Figure 1) comprises the removably insertable plug 19. Therefore a second, upper flow path 21b connecting the first lla and a third 11c of the at least three ports 11a,b,c permits the flow, while the lower first flow path 21a is restricting the flow.

The person skilled in the art will understand that the removably insertable plug 19 can be placed in any receiving portion 14a,b, restricting flow at the respective flow path 21a,b, which passes this receiving portion 14a,b. Also the pipe section may comprise more than three ports 11a,b,c. For example, the pipe section may comprise the two ports situated on the left hand side as shown in Figure 5 and an additional third port situated on the left side as well as a fourth port on the right hand side, which may provide three separate flow paths, each flowing between one of the ports on the left hand side, as illustrated, and the port on the right hand side. In one example example, there may be a fourth port on the left side of the drawing, which is connected to a fifth port lla by an additional flow path. Depending on the direction of flow, the illustrated pipe section in the Figures may be considered to have one inflow and two outflow ports, or two inflow and one outflow port. Preferably each or all of the flow paths 21a,b comprise at least one receiving portion 14a,b to be able to direct the fluid flow in the respective flow path 21a,b. There may be more than one port on the right side, enabling further flow paths between the ports.

Preferably, the removably insertable 19 plug may completely prevent the flow in the flow path 21a,b, into which it is inserted.

Figure 6 depicts another example, wherein more than two pipe components are coupled together. Herein the first pipe component 16a is interconnected to multiple other pipe components 160a,b, each of which resemble a pipe and form the two flow paths 21a,b to the ports 11b,c. The pipe components in this example are coupled together by a fastening means 17, herein again being a clamp.

The person skilled in the art will understand that, in order to have control of the direction of fluid flow at all, one needs at least one receiving portion 14a,b to be able to prevent/allow flow in that respective flow path 21a,b. To be able to direct fluid flow in either flow path 21a,b, one needs at least one receiving portion 14a,b giving access to both flow paths 21a,b. The at least one receiving portions 14a,b therefore may have to intersect both the first and second flow paths 14a,b. Preferably there are exactly two receiving portions 14a,b, each of the first and second flow paths 21a,b comprising one of the two receiving portions 14a,b, this allows the direction of fluid flow in both flow paths 21a,b.

Figure 7 shows another configuration for the at least one receiving portion 14a,b (as labelled in Figure 1). In the previously shown examples, the receiving portions 14a,b (as labelled in Figure 1) were defined by the walls 9 of the pipe section 10, when assembling multiple pipe components 16a,b. In this example, the receiving portions 140a,b extend over both flow paths 21a,b and through the walls 9 of the pipe section 10, which may be considered to form a single receiving portion 141. This single receiving portion 141 is configured to receive one (e.g. one single) larger sealing cassette, which is able to provide sealing in one flow path while permitting flow through another flow path. As the upper and lower receiving portions 140a,b are no longer separated by the pipe components, the embodiment comprises another set of pipe components 161a,b.

Figure 8 shows the example of Figure 7 with an inserted sealing cassette 190, which defines one plug 191 for restricting flow in one of the first and second flow paths and one opening 201 for permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths. The sealing cassette 190 may also provide sealing at the interconnection of the components 161a, 161b. The sealing cassette 190 may also comprise attached fastening means to couple the pipe components 161a,b. Alternatively, the sealing cassette 190 may be inserted before coupling the two pipe components 161a,b with fastening means 170, e.g. a clamp.

Figure 9 shows the example of Figures 7 and 8 with a clamp 170, with the principal plane 22 of the receiving portion 14a,b, 141, which is similar to those of a thin lens in the field of optics, being defined between the pipe components 161a, 161b. This plane is perpendicular to the flow direction through the receiving portion 14a,b, 141. Consequently, the outer boundary planes 23 of the fastening means 17,170 are the planes encompassing the fastening means 17,170.

To facilitate the clamping, the fluid flow or the insertion of the removably insertable plug 19, removably insertable sealing means 20 or removably insertable sealing cassette 190, it may be advantageous, if the receiving means 14a,b,141 are located between the outer boundary planes 23 of the fastening means 17,170 and the receiving means 14a,b,141 have a flat or planar form. More preferably, the principal planes 22 of the receiving means 14a,b, 141 are located in the same plane, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 9.

Figure 10 shows an isometric drawing of the first 161a of the pipe components from the embodiment shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. This pipe component 161a comprises a first port lla and is connected to two pipe ends 24a,b, forming part of both the first and second flow path. It also comprises a receiving counterpart 25 for the fastening means 17 to couple the multiple pipe components 161a,b together. As shown in the previous Figures, the pipe component 161a comprises a receiving portion 141 for the sealing cassette, herein with additional recesses to facilitate the assembly and sealing.

Figure 11 shows an isometric drawing of the other pipe component 161b from the embodiment shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. This pipe component 161b comprises a second and third port 11b,c, which are connected to two pipe ends 26a,b, forming part of both the first and second flow path. Similar to the first 161a of the pipe components, it also comprises a receiving counterpart 25 for the fastening means 17 to couple the multiple pipe components 161a,b together. As shown in the previous Figures, the pipe component 161b comprises a receiving portion 141 for the sealing cassette 190, herein with additional recesses to facilitate the assembly and sealing.

The person skilled in the art may also design embodiments with more than three ports 11a,b,c, which results in more than two flow paths 21a,b. Therein the sealing cassette 190 may define more than one plug for restricting flow in the respective flow paths 21a,b and/or more than one opening for permitting flow in the respective flow paths 21a,b. There may also be arrangements, which use multiple sealing cassettes 190 or a combination of sealing cassettes 190, removably insertable plugs 19 and removably insertable sealing means 20.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A pipe section (10) for selectively directing fluid flow in a pipeline system, the pipe section (10) comprising: at least three ports (11a-c); a first flow path (21a) connecting a first (11a) and a second (11b) of the at least three ports (11a-c); a second flow path (21b) connecting the first (11a) and a third (11c) of the at least three ports (11a-c); and at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) configured to receive a removably insertable plug (19, 191) such that the removably insertable plug (19, 190) restricts flow in one of the first and second flow paths (21a-b), while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths (21a-b).
2. A pipe section (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) is a recess defined by the walls (9) of the pipe section (10).
3 A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe section (10) is comprised of at least two pipe components (16a-b,160a-b,161a-b) coupled together at an interface (18), at least part of the receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) being defined by a first (16a, 161a) of the at least two components (16a-b,160a-b,161a-b), and at least a part of the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) being defined by a second (16b,160a-b,161b) of the at least two components (16a-b,160ab,161a-b).
4. A pipe section (10) according to claim 3, wherein the at least two pipe components (16a-b,160a-b,161a-b) are coupled together by fastening means (17,170), in particular a removable clamp
5. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) comprises a removably inserted plug (19, 190).
6 A pipe section (10) according to claim 4, wherein the removably insertable plug (19,190) has the form of a sealing cassette (190), the sealing cassette (190) defining at least one plug (191) for restricting flow in the one of the first and second flow paths (21a,b), and at least one opening (201) for permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths (21a,b).
7. A pipe section (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the removably insertable plug (19,190) completely prevents flow in one of the first and second flow paths (21a,b).
8. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) intersects both the first and second flow paths (2 lab).
9. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising two receiving portions (14a-b,140a-b,141), each of the first and second flow paths (21a, b) comprising one of the two receiving portions (14a-b,140a-b,141).
10. A pipe section (10) according to claim 9, wherein the receiving portions (14a-b,140ab,141) have a substantially planar form, and the two receiving portions (14a-b,140ab,141) of the first and second flow paths (21a-b) are located in between outer boundary planes (23) of the fastening means (17,170).
11. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) are substantially parallel, with respective principal planes (22) of each receiving portion being substantially parallel.
12. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, comprising a fourth port and a third flow path connecting the first fluid port (11a) and the fourth fluid port.
13. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid flow is liquid flow.
14. A pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe section (10) comprises a hatch for providing access to the at least one receiving portion (14ab,140a-b,141).
15. The pipe section (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe section (10) comprises at least two pipe components (16a-b,160a-b,161a-b), connectable to define the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) and to contain the plug (20,190) so as to form a seal between the plug (20,190) and the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141).
16. A method for selectively directing flow in a pipeline system, comprising: providing a pipe section (10) for selectively directing flow, the pipe system (10) comprising: at least three ports (11a-c) a first flow path (21a) connecting a first (11a) and a second (11b) of the at least three ports (11a-c) a second flow path (22b) connecting the first (11a) and a third (11c) of the at least three ports (11a-c) at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) configured to receive a removably insertable plug (20,190) such that the removably insertable plug (20,190) restricts flow in one of the first and second flow paths (21a-b), while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow path (21a-b); inserting a removably insertable plug (20,190) into the at least one receiving portion (14a-b,140a-b,141) so as to restrict flow in one of the first and second flow paths (21a-b), while permitting flow in the other of the first and second flow paths (21a-b); flowing an either liquid or gaseous medium through the first port (11a) and one of the second and third ports (11b-c) to provide flow through either the first or the second flow path (21a-b).
17 A method for selectively directing flow in a pipeline system according to claim 16, wherein the pipe section (10) is comprised of at least two pipe components (16ab,160a-b,161a-b), and the method comprises fastening the at least two pipe components (16a-b,160a-b,161a-b) together to form a fluid seal around a periphery of the removably insertable plug (20,190).